What do we do? Getting a 50, GAS or EBike?

How old? If you already have a gas pitbike, I think an ebike becomes easier since their is an alternative to ride if charging

They don't have any electric 65 or 80 size bikes he's going to have to learn gas eventually!

Not necessarily...

KTM has the E6 and E8 coming very soon. Possibly announced at Loretta's 

The only hesitation I would have about electric is that you mentioned he rode for 4 hours straight. I don't know if a battery would last that long. 

Electric makes a lot of sense, I voted for gas Austrian.   But I'm old and like the idea of a "Real" ? haha engine over an electric motor. Electric bikes are too easy, it's more like a toy than a motorcycle.  I think it's neat that young kids (used) to learn about gas engines and air filters and changing oil and starting it and the noise and smell, the whole deal. Learning about different power bands and gearing, changing exhaust pipes, changing spark plugs etc, learning about rpm's, wrenching on the thing, to me it's all part of the whole experience. Having said that I totally see how electric is more attractive if you're not a "Motor guy"  Turn the handle and it goes, no starting, no noise, no checking gas and oil, ride it till it starts slowing down and then plug it in while you play video games, when the light turns green back out you go. I get it they make perfect sense. But it's just not the same. Maybe I just want the kids to experience the same things we did growing up. I know "it's the future" but I'm a dinosaur clinging to the past so I voted gas.  Now if you wanted to practice in the backyard.... that changes things lol.  

If he’s riding hard go gas. Have a buddy with electric who’s daughter rode hard for half the day last Sunday. Rest of the day she sat watching everyone else ride. He ordered a generator to take to the track for next time. He doesn’t mind it, personally I’d just take my bike and a gas jug and ride all day. 

This debate is a weekly thing at the track with other dads. I have a 5 year old who races PW's and recently started on a KTM 50 mini. I went with the 50 mini because of his height, as he wasn't quite tall enough for a cobra (he really wanted a cobra since all his buddies have them). I don't regret getting the mini one bit! I think the Ebike is a great transition bike since it gets them use to the feel of a larger bike and also the power BUT the battery holds them back for a long day of riding. If your child is racing moto it's not really a big deal since you can charge between motos if need be. I couldn't imagine trying to tell my kid he has to wait to ride while his bike charges and all of his buddies are out there ripping. I have seen the Ebikes throwing codes in the rain, after washing, cold or hot batteries but you also aren't changing oil, adjusting the clutch, and putting top ends in. Many pros and cons on this topic. 

Question for those in the know; does the E5 help develop better throttle habits than the SX? It's been a while since I've watched a mini race but I recall some of the slower/intermediate kids developing a weird blipping habit to work the clutch engagement on those race 50s. Not sure if kids have to unlearn that when they go to 65s or if it is a non-issue; just curious if anyone has experienced it with their kid.

Our boy is AMA 7, just turned 8 a few weeks ago. We were forced to move up to 65 this year due to him just being a giant of a kid lol. Most people think he is 10. The 50 just wouldn't pull him out of the corners anymore. Anyways, we had KTM Gas and KTM Ebike. The gas bikes are way faster than the ebikes, ebikes are easier to ride, but if you have a good rider on the gas bike, you can't compete on ebike. That said, he loved the ebike. Our last race on 50's about a month ago, we borrowed a cobra gas bike and my god, the difference was night and day. He pulled every holeshot that day and won. In fact it led to atleast 2 others dumping their KTM's to go buy a cobra the last couple weeks as they saw the difference as well. If I were to do 50's again, we would go the Cobra route.

Also, if you go ebike, I feel you have to have a gas bike as well. As after about 25 minutes of hard riding you need to let it charge for an hour plus. With Gas, you ride hard for 45 minutes and come in and refuel for 2 minutes and go back out there. Gas gives you considerably more seat time while at the track.

I have 4 sons and they all started racing at 4. We didn't have the e-bike choice back then.  The first two started on PW 50's and moved to KTM Jr's as they progressed.  The oldest stayed KTM but his younger brother wanted a Cobra and I got a deal at Loretta Lynn's so we gave it a shot.  Younger brother was all over big brother on the KTM within a couple weeks and the next year qualified for LL's.  The next two were all Cobra.  I would talk to your son and see what he say's, he's the one riding it.

Ebike is better everywhere but range in my opinion…once my son got the ebike, he never touched the 50sx again.

Maintenance on a 50 is kind of a nightmare so there’s that. If you enjoy that part that will make it easier to some degree

Like others said, it comes down to riding preferences. If he’s out doing motos and that’s it, e-bike is the obvious choice at this point IMO. By the time he hits big bikes, electric will probably be king, for better or worse 

He rode a FWE. The power was the biggest difference. He is 80 pounds in shorts, close to 100 fully geared so this year on 50's they just didn't have the power to pull him out of the corners like they used to atleast on the KTM. I don't believe he got any holeshots this year prior to riding the FWE, but the day on FWE he got every holeshot. Almost wish we had more time on it, but he is ripping on the 65 now so we are moved on past 50's

No question.

Gas.      Bonus: teaching kids how to work on their own bike.     Not these "all you gotta do is oil the chain" electric crap.

Everyone is focused on "the ride day" that the ebike will run out of juice. But the reality is, with the ebike your options of when to ride and where to ride open vastly. Making no noise you can stealth ride in many open fields and never get chased away. I remember when my kid was little, sometimes we'd go down the street to the local field. Some of the best days were in that field ordering pizza to the field and just having a good time.

My 3 sons had a KX65, KLX110, and a PW50 all available to them…….and a cheap ass Razor electric.  
They wore that Razor out.  It was so easy and convenient.  Went through several battery packs, chains, and rear tires.  The range was limited, but they never complained about it.  Their friends in the neighborhood wanted nothing to do with the gas bikes, but would jump on the electric without hesitation.  
We never considered the Razor on race days, but the current electrics are obviously more viable. 

You’re going to have to get both. And Do not get a used one! Not worth it. I spent 1000s more getting used. The gas bikes are a pain for sure. 

Not this year

We got an SX-E5 in 2020, when my son was 3. After three years of riding we still LOVE it. Adjustable height and power levels is absolutely brilliant for growing kids. I take my Honda inverter generator to the track and plug the bike in anytime we stop for a break.  Battery life has not been an issue. Have spent a total of $0 on maintenance items in 3 years. 

If he is a bigger kid and on the gas all the time the battery life will not be great. I know many complain about 7-8 yr old kids trying to race and not getting 20 minutes out of the battery. 

The e-bikes make a lot of sense if you're buying it for 3 and 4-year-olds and plan to have for many years.  I probably wouldn't buy one for a kid that's getting really close to a 65. 

There are still things to maintain on the e-bike. Still have to adjust the chain, as you mentioned, but also:

Fix flats; tighten spokes (true the wheels?); bleed the brakes; change bars, grips and levers; change fork seals. Plenty of opportunity for maintenance. 

Agree with this on used. Those 50s are awful to keep running and the used ones are much worse. At least new you can get 50 good hours without too much frustration. 

As far as Cobra vs Austrian, you can go either way. In my opinion they learn faster and better on Aus but there is definitely a ceiling, and you won't be winning races. Cobras will smoke him on start all day long. I'd say Cobra vs Aus have about the same number of mechanical issues but Aus is easier to get parts and service. If you go Cobra, you'd better get real close to your dealer.

A kid on a 50 isn't doing much maintenance anyway beyond maybe checking tire pressure and lubing the chain. Plenty of time for that when they are 8+ years old.

Now you need to report back later with what the right decision was