Radio Controlled vehicles come in all shapes and sizes, from 1/10 scale rock crawlers to tiny micro racers that fit in your pocket. One category you might have overlooked is the RC bike which includes traditional motorcycle type vehicles and non-standard three-wheeled bikes with a variety of fun features sure to please.
Radio controlled motorcycles come in a number of different styles with a variety of features much like their four-wheeled counterparts. Most toy RC motorcycles appear to be two-wheeled cycles with additional training wheels or hidden wheels that help keep the cycle balanced while in motion. Higher-end offerings use an internal gyroscope to balance the machine while it is in motion.
The best RC bike for your money depends on the operator’s level of skill and driving conditions. In addition to gyro balanced bikes and training wheel models, there are unique tricycle models and even some that are designed to run in water. Let’s look at a selection of RC bikes that includes both standard motorcycles and a couple of surprises for the non-traditional crowd.
Top Race 4 Channel RC Remote Control Motorcycle
Our first selection is a 1/10 scale Remote Controlled Motorcycle by Top Race. This is a sport or racing style bike model that features real working led tail and headlights. The Top Race RC Motorcycle is controlled with a 2.4 GHz transmitter and charges with a basic USB cable. It takes an average of 45 minutes to charge, so you might want to open it up ahead of time if you’re buying it for a driver who might be a little short of patience.
The bike itself is constructed of a sturdy yet light combination of metal and plastic components that allow it to perform well while taking the occasional crash fairly well. The bike’s tires are gripy rubber, not the plastic sort that often skid out from under the vehicle on a turn. Speaking of turns, the driver gets a little stability assistance from guide wires on either side that keep the bike from laying out flat on tight turns.
The controller for the Top Race RC Motorcycle operates on four AA batteries. It’s a wheel and trigger style controller like many of today’s hobby style cars and features four different frequencies so that you can run multiple vehicles together without control interference. This bike is generally easy to control and can handle terrain that’s a little more difficult than some of the training wheel models. It is worth keeping in mind that this is a race bike, and will perform best on even surfaces where you’ll get the most out of this speedy little RC bike.
Maisto R/C Harley Davidson Radio Control Motorcycle
The next bike up for review in our selection of RC bikes is from Maisto Tech, a manufacturer of entry level RC vehicles that have proven to be just as fun as many of their higher priced hobby grade counterparts. This Harley Nightster replica is stabilized by hidden wheels rather than a gyroscope. It’s styled after the popular Harley Davidson Nightster road bikes which feature a solid blend of aggressive style and riding comfort. It’s a training wheel bike, so it’s not going to be super agile, but this bike is a nice blend of long distance cruiser and city ready traveler. It should capture the imagination of drivers of all ages without a lot of frustration.
The Maisto Nightster is a 12-inch bike that uses four AA batteries for power while an additional pair of AAAs is required to power the transmitter. This controller has a fairly strong range capability of between 40 and 60 feet. Truth be told, it will taper off a little as your batteries wear, so you’ll have a warning when it’s time to change them out rather than wondering if you’re out of juice or something’s broken. Like most Maisto offerings, the RC Harley delivers a lot of fun for the price and everyone who takes the controls has a ball regardless of their experience level.
High Speed RC Remote Control Racing Bike with Light
This one comes from a company called Fun Little Toys, and it’s nothing less than that and in a way, it’s so much more. The FLT RC Racing bike is a reverse tricycle design that not only handles quite a bit of dry terrain but doesn’t mind getting wet. That makes for a lot of fun fewer restrictions when you take it out in the real world. Play with it in the snow, on wet pavement or in the water. This one’s tons of fun wherever you take it and its tri-wheeled design and low center of gravity make it extra stable. Our only handling complaint was that its turn radius is a little large, but with all the places this bike can go, it still gets our vote for best non-typical RC bike.
Controls for the Fun Little Toys Racing Bike are provided by a dual thumb pad controller that requires you to buy separate AA batteries. The bike comes with a rechargeable 7.2 volt 700mah rechargeable battery pack that’ll give you about 20 minutes of wide open fun. Forward, back and right, left controls are simple, letting kids get on the road and not worry about technical controls. While it’s not terribly agile, its go-anywhere attitude makes this a special bike for the right driver.
Motorbike with VGA Camera
The Xtreme Cycle is an added value RC bike. It comes with a jump ramp and an onboard camera that records up to 90 minutes of 640 x 480 video on a 4GB micro SD card. All of that is wrapped up with a gyro stabilized stunt bike that recovers from most crashes to get back up and go again without you laying a hand on it. This is one great bundle of features in an affordable package. It’s designed like a real dirt bike and handles terrain and jumps accordingly.
The RC Xtreme Cycle Motorbike with VGA camera comes with a dual control remote that also controls the camera so you can stop and start the action at will. A real shock suspension gives this bike the ability to jump obstacles and land cleanly. This is easily the best RC stunt bike we’ve looked at lately. An afternoon spent with this one won’t be wasted time, and with video recording capabilities you can prove it later.
Electric Radio Remote Controlled Racing Motorcycle
The Red and Gold Speed Demon is a great starter bike for little kids ages three and up. This is a fairly large training wheel bike that can slam into walls and furniture without landing on its side or breaking. It features flashing lights and sound effects that will make your little riders laugh out loud with pleasure.
This isn’t the most technically advanced bike, but it’s the best RC bike we’ve looked at for the youngest drivers out there. Little hands will easily learn to control the bike through basic turns and 360s with the trigger throttle and wheel controlled steering. When things don’t go quite right, they’ll giggle as the bike bounces off of objects instead of ending up in tears over a broken toy. Value bonus: Dimple brands offers a full year warranty on the bike covering failures due to manufacturing defect.
RC Kawasaki Ninja Bike
The Kawasaki Ninja is a real life favorite for performance on the road and on the racetrack. Kid Galaxy’s model is a hidden wheel bike that operates with dual joystick controls. It’s a good choice for a younger driver who needs a bike that features good stability and exciting physical details. While this one isn’t a long range runner, it’s perfect for the playroom. When you want a stable bike for your little guy to drive that won’t run away from him, the Kid Galaxy RC Kawasaki Ninja bike is a home run. For older kids, pick a more advanced, agile bike, but toddlers will love this one and so will mom.
Final Words
There are as many types of RC controlled bikes as there are types of drivers. Some bikes are best suited for small children who need more modest power and range to keep the bike under control, while others are fun for older kids and adult drivers alike. The best RC motocycle for your use is a personal choice, but one of the RC bikes we’ve reviewed here may well be a great place for you to start.
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