A Beginners Guide to Pit Bikes and Mini Motos

For those new to the world of mini bikes, a pit bike is a small motorbike - originally used for travelling between the pits on race tracks. Today, they have gained popularity for being great fun, easy to ride motorcycles, often used in racing. Pit bikes started off life in the 60s before going through several design improvements to end up with the versatile bikes of today. Pit bikes are ideal for areas where space is a limiting factor, in addition to being much cheaper than an equivalent off-road full size motorbike.

These bikes vary in size and specifications, starting from as little as 4-5HP up to around 20HP. The 2-Stroke engines are high revving allowing for quick acceleration, which more than makes up for their lack of top speed (which does not make them suitable for road use). Their exceptionally small frame and lower power output make them ideal for kids wanting to have a go on a motorbike. The acceleration, simplicity and relative cheapness are what make these bikes so very fun to ride and has earned them their popularity today.

When choosing which bike to buy, it is important that the buyer ask themselves what they intend to use the bike for, i.e. serious racing, fun days, for kids etc. Pit bikes primarily differ in the power they offer, typically the more the more power a bike has to offer the more expensive it will be. A more expensive bike is also likely to have higher quality and more resilient parts, meaning the rider could ride it harder than a cheaper model.

Any newly purchased bike will come with an instruction manual from the manufacturer, it is imperative that the owner pay close attention to the startup procedures, run-in checks and maintenance guides. These will ensure the bike retains its top power levels as well as ensuring reliability. Mini bikes do not run on straight fuel, usually they will require mixing with specific oil in the ration of 25 parts fuel to 1 part oil, this is essential to ensure the engine is not damaged. Certain parts on these bikes can wear very quickly (many parts are designed like this purposefully) and so it is essential the owner become familiar with the functions of their bike and feel comfortable working on it. Fortunately, parts and spares for pit bikes are cheap compared to the equivalent for full size bikes.

Hopefully anybody thinking about buying a pit bike or mini moto has found this guide useful and will now feel more confident about their purchase. For those who already own a mini bike, you will find a wide choice of pit bike spares and parts at our online shop.

The History of Early Pit Bikes

Pit bikes have a long and interesting history, the extent of which is likely not known by most riders. The pit bike, mini moto and similar all stem from the humble beginnings of the bicycle. Original mini bikes were nothing more than scaled down push bikes with small engines attached, most commonly a Briggs or Stratton delivering up to 5BHP! Being based on a push bike, these bikes lacked a formal breaking system (a simple mechanism which would rub on the tyre when activated was used) and totally lacked suspension. These early bikes were made and used by engineers in the pits at race tracks (hence 'pit bike'), providing a quick way of getting around - far from suitable for the track! Though a far cry from today's designs, these bikes laid the blueprint from which later models would be built upon.

It would be some time before a bike resembling a pit bike as we know it would be released. An important milestone in motorcycle history, the Honda Super Cub 50 began the revolutionary rise in popularity of the Japanese motorcycle, with production reaching millions of units - the Honda became incredibly popular in the United States. Despite not being a pit bike by any means, the Honda did lay further ground work for mini bikes to come, being designed around the same 4-stroke engine many use today.

Arguably the bike that started the revolution - the four-stroke engined Honda Z50 Mini Trail (AKA the 'Monkey Bike'). In addition to being the first Honda bike made to be used off-road, this bike had many design features which led to it's popularity in the US and around the world. It could be stored easily in a truck or trailer for easy transportation, and throughout the Z series life saw many design updates and improvements. Pit bike parts for this bike and other models were freely and cheaply available, making them an ideal run-around.

Modern bikes have not strayed far away from early designs, with major differences being longer wheelbases, suspension and taller handlebars as well as improved breaking systems. These changes have allowed adults to comfortably and safely ride and also increase the durability of what these bikes can tolerate.

So there you have it, a quick recap of where today's modern pit and mini moto bikes have developed from. Hopefully you've learned something! ;-)

Moto Tracks

In this short post we will outline a sample of some of the tracks up and down the country suitable for riding your mini moto bike.

Starting in the North:

• Fast tracks is a popular location in Yorkshire. It is a purpose built circuit featuring plenty of straight, chicanes and hairpins. Two circuits are available to suit riders of all skills. Print outs are available showing lap times. A full range of facilities are available including chancing rooms and light refreshments. Call 01482 308740 for more info.
• In Lancashire you will find Prestige Indoor Karting. A so called technical track featuring very tight corners, this is not for the faint hearted! Also equipped with ample facilities. Call 01282 865675 for more info.

Midlands:

• The very cool sounding Stretton 2000 near Leicester City Airport has a long 800m track with extended bends and high speed corners. Well lit for day or night riding. No pre-booking necessary. Call 0116 259 2900 for further info.
• GP Karting, based in Northampton is another great track with more tight bends and high speed corners. Also available for 'arrive and drive', just turn up and ride. More info: 01604 59159.

London:

• London's premiere track at Rye House is run by Motorsport World Ltd, promoting itself as being run by racers, for racers. Their track promises to offer an exciting mini and midi moto experience. For more information call: 01992 460895.

East:

• Kartsport in Cambridge offers riders an outdoor and indoor track to suit all people. Both tracks purport to offer a challenging ride with the usual mix of tight bends and fast straights. Contact them on: 01954 718200.
• Located at Ellough Park you will find Norwich Karting, an outdoor track available for drop in sessions. Another long track at 800m, combined with long bends and super fast straights this track will take lots of stamina and skill. Speak to them on: 01603 486655.

Hopefully you don't live too far from one of these excellent tracks. Don't forget to carry around with you some of those essential mini moto spares.

Mini Moto Maintenance

As a continuation of our guide to mini motos, today's post will be dealing with the maintenance of your mini moto and how to keep it it in good working order.

Knowing what actions to take and how often to keep your bike running is essential to ownership. Some general pointers to mention first:

• Read the manual! This cannot be stressed enough. The manual will be your first port of call for diagnosing any problems with your bike. Using the manual, help to familiarise yourself with the locations of the parts of your bike. Take heed of any precautions or special routines you must do before first running your bike.
• Mini Motos will not run on straight petrol, you will need to make a mix of petrol with special two stroke engine oil at a ratio of 25:1. Failure to do so can cause a lot of damage to your engine. Have some pre-mixed to take with you when riding your moto.
• Having at least a basic working knowledge of your mini moto will help you to diagnose and prevent problems. If possible, have someone with experience on hand to help you work on your moto.
• Know how to properly start your mini moto. Not following the correct start up procedure could result in damage or premature wear to certain parts. Read your manual for the correct procedure.
  

Prevention is better than cure, as the saying goes. Therefore it makes sense to have regular check ups of certain parts and systems on your mini moto. We have outlines some maintenance checks below which you should find useful.

Very frequently, ideally before every ride, you should be checking the following:

• Check all cables, especially the brakes. Are there any signs of fraying or corrosion? Are they taught? If you suspect any problems replace the cable as soon as possible.
• Brakes; do they feel worn? Has any mud or other debris got onto the braking surface? Don't forget to check the brake leavers also, are they correctly adjusted according the manual.
• Are all the nuts and bolts sufficiently tight? A loose nut or bolt could be potentially dangerous. Do not over tighten.
  
• Check the tyre pressure. Under inflated tyres will wear the tread quickly. Mini moto tyres are very small and so wear qucikly and need to be monitored closely.
  
• Clean your air filter; dry it thoroughly again before use.
• Last but not least, wash your moto regularly. Debris, dirt and mud getting into mechanical parts can prevent them from working properly and decrease their working life.

Less frequently, but still on a regular basis:

• Clean your chain properly, then lube it with good quality oil. This will help keep your ride smooth and extend the working life your mini moto chain and sprockets.
• Remove and clean out any debris from the carburetta.
• Look at and check the steering and engine bolts, make sure they are tight and secure. Also, check your wheel and steering bearings to see if they are worn.
• Check the clutch pads, adjust the clutch accordingly if necessary.

These pointers along with any other specifics mentioned in the manual should help you to get the most out of your mini moto. If you need to replace any parts we stock a range of mini moto spares on our website.

Mini Moto Guide

To assist those who already own a mini moto, or for those looking to purchase in the future, we are providing a short guide for those new to this exciting world of mini motos!

An introduction to Mini motos:
Mini motos are scaled down racing bikes, between 15 and 18 inches high and weighing between 15 and 25kg. Mini moto racing is a popular sport for both children and adults. They can be a lot of fun to ride, and offer relatively cheap thrills when compared to a car or motorcycle. Despite looking like toys, they are fully functional and need to be used with the proper safety precautions, covered later.

They come in two sizes, mini and midi motos. There is no formal distinction between either, however midis are normally around 10% bigger than minis. Due to this, many people prefer the extra comfort and features offered by a midi, although there is a trade off in agility.

Technical features:
For those who do not yet own a mini moto, we have compiled and listed some interesting facts that you may find useful:

• The average max speed of a mini moto is about 39MPH. This is one reason why mini motos should not be used on the road (unless privately owned).
• Despite having a low max speed, motos are tuned to give lots of low down power and instant acceleration, which can come as a surprise to some!
• Mini motos are rear wheel driven by a chain connected to an axle.
• They will fit in most average sized family cars such as an estate or 4x4.
• Mini motos will not run purely on common unleaded petrol alone, a mixture of 50 parts petrol to 1 part oil is required (30:1 before running the engine in).
• All mini moto bikes are automatic (a twist throttle on one side of the handlebar and brake on the other).

• They are capable of carrying up to an average weight man safely.
• Many aftermarket upgrades and spares are available. We at Fun Bikes stock mini moto spares

Safety precautions:

• As with other motor vehicles, mini motos can be dangerous; you will need to wear the necessary safety equipment and clothing. Here is an overview of what you will need:
• Firstly and most importantly, a well fitting, good quality motorcycle helmet.
• Standard motorcycle gloves, flexible and armoured.
• Full body motorcycle leathers, or if possible, a specifically designed mini moto suit.
• For knee protection when cornering, knee sliders are essential.
• Good motorcycle boots.
• Kids will need their own protective safety jacket.

If being used regularly, it is a good idea to take mini moto spares around with your bike such as sprockets, foot pegs and brake pads, as well spare fuel, type pressure gauge and tool kit. Hopefully you have found these tips to be useful, if you need more advice in choosing your next mini or midi moto, please contact the team at Fun Bikes.

Quad Bike Buying Tips

Deciding on which Quad Bike to purchase can be quite a headache, features and specifications vary widly from bike to bike. To assist in the buying process, we have come up with a list of some useful pointers;

• Firstly, where is the quad going to be used; off-road, on-road or both. This is very important to know. If the bike is primarily for road use, it may not be necessary to have a bike with four wheel drive (this will affect fuel consumption and overall cost). You may find an automatic gearbox more appropriate for road use; a manual gearbox will suit off-roading as it allows finer control of power being used.

• Choosing engine size will depend on where the bike is going to be used. For on-road use, a bike with a larger engine capacity may be easier to use as torque will be higher, making more power available lower down the rev range. This would provide more pull and a smoother experience on the road, where comfort is important.

• Who will be riding the bike? If it is for a child, the bike should have the physical dimensions to suit a child, as well as a small engine size, such as our FunBike Mini Quad range. The specifications for the bike should include the carrying capacity; this will be a good guide as to whether the bike is suitable for an adult or child.

• For children, the quad bike should have an enclosed foot-well for added protection.

• If possible, ideally test-drive a range of bikes that you or your child is interested in. Check that it is comfortable, is fit for the intended purpose, and suits your riding abilities.

• Make sure spare parts are readily available for your model. We sell a full range of Quad Bike spares for our Bikes.

Hopefully you will find these tips useful when it comes to purchasing a Quad Bike. Please check our range of Quad Bikes for the latest deals and offers. Contact us if you need any further assistance.

Unleash The Beast! The 250cc Warrior Water-Cooled Buggy

Have you had plenty of with experience with beginners’ buggies and now feel you’re ready to move onto something a little more rugged? If this is you, then introducing the Warrior 250cc water-cooled Buggy. Designed for serious off-road thrills, this buggy comes equipped with everything you will need to face the beaten track.

The Warrior 250cc off road buggy comes fully equipped for a serious off-road experience. This buggy comes equipped with mud tyres. The heavy duty treading gives this buggy excellent traction in the muddiest conditions, meaning this buggy will be ready for anything. The Warrior also features headlights making it suitable for low light or other poor visibility conditions.

The additional power in this buggy makes it ideal for those experienced with less powerful models. To complement the larger engine, you will also find a liquid cooling and discs breaks on the front and rear wheels for decreased stopping times. For additional protection, there is also a four point safety harness and a safety net covering the buggy. Safety first! You may want to consider some additional protective clothing, such as a crash helmet. Goggles should be the minimum requirement if driving in muddy conditions. This bike would not be suitable for a child to ride alone.

How does it ride? This off-road buggy has been tuned to offer lots of low down power with lots of torque, which coupled with the mud tyres makes it excellent for difficult terrain. Though not designed for top speed, the Warrior will manage 60+ MPH, more if appropriate tyres are fitted.

Others quality features of this buggy include the rack and pinion steering offering simple and accurate turning capabilities, automatic transmission (including reverse) for ease of use, and upgraded suspension to soak up the toughest of terrains. These improvements will make the Warrior much easier to traverse over difficult terrain than other less versatile models. The ignition is operated using a key, a more conventional method.

All these features combine to create one very capable off-road buggy which we think most agree would be a lot of fun! If you need any more advice on choosing a buggy or other equipment, feel free to contact us and we will do our best to advise you.