Kids · from about 4 · automatic clutch
First laps on the mini motocross Honda CRF50F – a guide for parents
The mini motocross Honda CRF50F ranks as the smallest of Honda’s kids’ motorcycles and is meant for children from the age of about 4. Before buying, parents tend to ask the same questions: Is the size right, can your child practise first, and is a used motorcycle worth considering? Here you will find answers from everyday practice at the Honda Motoshop of the MX-Academy.
Key facts Honda CRF50F
- Displacement
- 49 cc
- Gearbox
- 3 gears, automatic clutch
- Wheels
- 10 in
- Seat height
- 548 mm
- Cooling
- air-cooled
- Age (guide)
- from about 4 years
Data as published by Honda Switzerland and the dealer; for power and weight please ask the dealer.
Sitting test rather than age chart: is the size right?
According to Honda, the suitable age range of the CRF50F begins at about 4, with roughly 8 as a loose upper guideline. Because children grow at different rates, a sitting test tells you more than their year of birth.
At 548 mm, the seat is low. When stationary, your child needs to place both feet firmly on the ground, hold the handlebar loosely and reach the throttle and brake lever without stretching. If your child looks tense, it is wiser to wait another season.
What your child has to operate on the small motocross bike
The CRF50F does without a clutch lever: your child changes between three gears with the foot, while the centrifugal clutch takes care of engaging and disengaging. That keeps attention on throttle, brakes and body position. The engine, a forgiving air-cooled 49 cc four-stroke, sits in a chassis with an upside-down fork; drum brakes work on both 10-inch wheels.
Two details matter to parents: the adjustable throttle limiter lets you keep power low at first and open it up step by step as your child’s skills grow. The ignition switch with key makes sure nobody rides off without your consent.
Try it on a course first, then decide
Whether the enthusiasm lasts is easiest to judge under guidance. The MX-Academy brings rental bikes to every motocross course, namely the CRF50, CRF110, CRF125 and CRF250; on the kids’ courses, children ride exactly the small Honda models CRF50F, CRF110F and CRF125F.
Children can take part from 4 years of age, and all riding happens on a closed-off site with no driving licence needed. The taster course includes a rental bike plus protective gear, as do the complete packages. Afterwards you will know whether a mini motocross Honda CRF50F of your own is worth it.
New or second-hand: what to look for when buying
For advice and purchase, your contact is Honda Motorrad Zürich, the official Honda Dream Dealer. Alongside new kids’ models, there is a constantly changing selection of used motorcycles. Because children outgrow their bikes quickly, a second-hand mini motocross Honda CRF50F is often worth considering.
On a second-hand motorcycle, check the chain and sprockets, how well both brakes work, the tyres, and the handlebar and levers for signs of crashes, and ask how the air filter and oil have been looked after. Repair and servicing work is part of what the Honda Motoshop of the MX-Academy offers.
Protective gear and the next step
A helmet, motocross goggles, a protective jacket and knee guards belong on every lap. The motocross shop of the MX-Academy stocks these items new and second-hand, in several price ranges.
Once the CRF50F becomes too small, the CRF110F follows: it is designed for 8- to 11-year-olds and still has no clutch lever. Clutch control is then learnt on the CRF125F, followed later by the CRF150R and CRF250R. The kids’ dirt bike comparison shows all the steps side by side.
Frequently asked questions
How can you tell whether your child is ready?
Balance, concentration and genuine enthusiasm for riding matter more than exact age. Children can join the MX-Academy courses from 4 years of age. There, under guidance, you will quickly see whether your child already coordinates throttle and brake with confidence.
Is a used motorcycle worth it instead of a new CRF50F?
Often yes, as the smallest model is usually ridden for only a few years. What counts is the condition of the chain, brakes and tyres. A new CRF50F, on the other hand, offers a clean start with no history – ask for advice on both options.
Where may your child ride the CRF50F?
The CRF50F is not meant for the road, as it is a children’s off-road bike. Suitable places are motocross tracks, closed-off areas such as the MX-Academy course site, and places where riding is expressly permitted.
When does your child need a bigger motorcycle?
At the latest when the knees almost touch the handlebar while seated, or when your child is clearly looking for more room and speed. The CRF110F is designed for ages 8 to 11 and also has a centrifugal clutch. A sitting test on both models usually settles the question quickly.
MX-Academy
Ride first, decide later
Courses, rental bikes and gear at the MX-Academy – no driving licence needed, kids from 4 years.
Honda Motorrad Zürich
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New Honda offroad models, used bikes, leasing and workshop at the official Honda Dream Dealer in Zurich.
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