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.