Kai’s Motorcycle Speed Race (71838) | LEGO® NINJAGO® Builds & Creations

Introduction

Few LEGO® themes ignite as much excitement as NINJAGO®, with its blend of martial arts, fantasy storytelling, and action-packed builds. In June 2025, LEGO released a new wave of Dragons Rising sets, and among them is a small but mighty gem: Kai’s Motorcycle Speed Race (71838).

With just 79 pieces, this set may appear compact, but it offers big thrills. It captures everything fans love about NINJAGO heroic battles, elemental power, and dramatic face-offs in an accessible and affordable package. Whether you’re a young fan just discovering NINJAGO or a seasoned collector looking to add minifigures to your collection, Kai’s Motorcycle Speed Race delivers fiery fun at top speed.

In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at the set, explore the minifigures, highlight the bikes, share building and play impressions, and even suggest creative ways to expand your adventures

Set Overview

Set Number: 71838
Theme: LEGO® NINJAGO® – Dragons Rising (Season 3_Part 2)
Piece Count: 79 pieces
Age Recommendation: 6+
Retail Price: Approx. $9.99 USD
Release Date: June 2025

This set is part of the Dragons Rising subtheme, which continues the epic saga of NINJAGO’s elemental ninjas. It offers an affordable entry point into the latest storyline, while still providing collectible minifigures and fun play features. At its core, Kai’s Motorcycle Speed Race is about a high-speed showdown between two rivals: the brave ninja Kai and the sinister Spectral Dragonian Scout

The Minifigures

Kai – Ghost Hunter Variant

Kai appears in a striking Ghost Hunter outfit, to this wave of sets. His suit features detailed red armor with fiery golden highlights, representing his elemental fire powers. The printing extends across his torso and legs, giving a modern upgrade to his classic ninja look.

Kai comes equipped with:

A translucent reveal blade, adding mystical energy to his arsenal.
Twin golden katanas, which can be mounted on the back of his bike or held for combat.

This version of Kai is highly collectible, especially for fans looking to complete their Ghost Hunter lineup.

Spectral Dragonian Scout

Facing off against Kai is the Spectral Dragonian Scout, a villainous warrior of the Dragons Rising era. His design is dark and intimidating, with spectral armor that hints at ghostly origins. His black-and-mint detailing contrasts sharply with Kai’s vibrant red, making their duel visually dramatic.

He carries a sword weapon and rides a menacing spectral motorcycle, giving him a distinct presence on the battlefield.

Together, these two figures set the stage for countless racing duels and combat scenarios.

The Vehicles – Bikes Built for Battle

Kai’s Race Bike

Kai’s bike is everything you’d expect from the fiery ninja: sleek, powerful, and bursting with elemental energy.

Design: The bike is primarily red, accented with gold pieces to reflect Kai’s fire element. The wide front wheel and aerodynamic body make it look like a true street racer, built for speed and sharp turns.
Functionality: The spinning wheels roll smoothly on most surfaces, making it easy to stage chase sequences. The bike also has attachment points to hold Kai’s weapons when not in use.
Play Value: Like many of Kai’s vehicles over the years, this bike represents his fiery spirit fast, fearless, and unstoppable.

Spectral Dragonian Bike

The Scout’s motorcycle is a direct contrast to Kai’s. Where Kai’s is sleek and heroic, the Dragonian Bike is dark, spiky, and intimidating.

Design: Featuring a shadowy black base with mint highlights, the bike has sharp edges and a menacing front end that almost resembles fangs. The design captures the essence of spectral energy, making it look otherworldly.
Functionality: Like Kai’s, the bike features spinning wheels for smooth play, but its bulkier design makes it appear more monstrous, fitting for a villain.
Play Value: Its spiked details and ghostly appearance make it the perfect rival to Kai’s clean, streamlined racer.

Together, the two bikes create a visual clash of fire vs. spectral energy a classic good-versus-evil showdown.

Building Experience

With only 79 pieces, the build is quick but satisfying. The instructions are straightforward, making it ideal for younger builders aged 6 and above.

For added support, LEGO includes compatibility with the LEGO Builder App, which provides step-by-step 3D instructions. This feature is especially helpful for beginners, as it allows them to rotate and zoom in on the models while building.

Despite its small size, the build offers enough variety to keep it interesting, from assembling the bikes’ body frames to attaching weapons and finishing details

Play Features and Imaginative Possibilities

Once the build is complete, the real fun begins. This set shines in play scenarios, thanks to its dynamic vehicles and minifigures.

Here are just a few ways kids (and adult fans) can bring the set to life:

Racing Duels – Line up both bikes and stage high-speed races across the living room floor.
Battle Showdowns – Use the weapons to create action-packed combat scenes between Kai and the Scout.
Obstacle Courses – Build ramps, corners, or slalom tracks out of LEGO bricks to test each bike’s speed and agility.
Story Expansion – Combine with other Dragons Rising sets to craft larger adventures, expanding the NINJAGO universe.

Because both bikes are small and durable, they’re also great for travel or quick play sessions.

Why Kai’s Motorcycle Speed Race Stands Out

Affordable Price Point: At just $9.99, it’s one of the most budget-friendly sets in the NINJAGO 2025 lineup.
Minifigure Variant: A great way to obtain Ghost Hunter Kai without buying larger sets.
Compact Build: Small in size but full of play value — perfect for kids and collectors.
Versatile Play: Combines racing fun with battle action, appealing to a wide range of play styles.

This balance of affordability, collectibility, and playability makes 71838 a standout set.

Creative Play Tips

To get even more out of this set, try these fun ideas:

DIY Racetrack: Use household items like cardboard ramps or LEGO bricks to build a custom speed circuit.
Stop-Motion Animation: Create short battle scenes or races using your smartphone to make a LEGO movie.
Mix & Match: Swap weapons and accessories between Kai and the Scout to invent new characters and storylines.
Crossover Battles: Bring in characters from other NINJAGO sets (or even other LEGO themes) for wild crossover races.

These ideas not only boost creativity but also extend the set’s replay value.

Unboxing & Build Video

Want to see this set-in action? Check out our exclusive unboxing and build video where we showcase every piece, highlight the minifigures, and race the two bikes in a head-to-head showdown.

Final Thoughts

Kai’s Motorcycle Speed Race (71838) proves that small sets can still deliver big thrills. From the sleek design of Kai’s red racer to the eerie menace of the Scout’s draconian bike, every detail is crafted to spark the imagination. Add in the collectible minifigures, smooth-rolling play features, and low price point, and it’s easy to see why this set is a must-have for both kids and adult fans of LEGO NINJAGO.

Whether you’re staging epic duels, racing through custom tracks, or expanding your Dragons Rising collection, Kai’s Motorcycle Speed Race offers speed, style, and non-stop action. It’s a fiery reminder of why NINJAGO remains one of LEGO’s most beloved themes.