If a scooter is too boring for you, and a motorcycle is too cumbersome, but you want to ride something two-wheeled, fast and compact, you should pay attention to a pit bike. Light (weighing just over a hundred kg) and powerful, they were originally used to serve motorcycle competitions, and are now considered a separate type of transport.
We will tell you how and which pit bike to choose for an adult, depending on your goals.
For sport or for road trips: the main difference between the two categories of pit bikes
The main feature of pit bikes and the first thing you should pay attention to is the category of vehicle (vehicle). As a rule, a pit bike is considered sports equipment. It does not have a vehicle passport, it cannot be driven on public roads and it does not need to be registered.
But there are also pit bikes that belong to “regular” transport: they have a title, and they need to be registered, and they also need a driving license (category A). And they cost a little more than sports equipment.
The conclusion is simple: you should immediately decide how you will use the pit bike. If you are using it as a vehicle for traveling through traffic jams in the city, then choose a model only with a title. If it’s for sports, then you can do without it.
Kayo 125
The literal translation of the name of one of the types of motorcycles, “pit bike,” means a motorcycle for the field. Maintenance of sports tracks - initially this was the only purpose of the pit bike.
Are you a beginner motorcyclist?? Then you will be interested to learn about the Yamaha Ybr 125, the technical characteristics of which will allow you to quickly get used to 2 wheels. Or look at reviews of pit bikes: Kayo K1 250 Enduro or Kayo T6.
Modern pits continue to work in technical pits and on race tracks, having received a new, wider application among the average consumer as a mini-motorcycle for stunt, enduro and motocross. KAYO equipment successfully competes in the markets of Europe and Asia with famous brands, and in Russia Kayo 125 basic has become the most purchased. Russian buyers lovingly dubbed it “coyote”.
What characteristics to consider when choosing a pit bike
Size
Typically, a pit bike has a low and small frame (single seat, of course) and small wheels - 12 or 14 inches. An adult in a saddle calmly touches the ground with his feet. This landing is specifically designed so that you can push off when driving through particularly dirty areas.
If you are going to ride not on dirt, but on regular roads, the easiest way to choose a model is this: divide your height by 2. The resulting number is approximately the saddle height that will suit you.
Engine power and displacement
Most pit bikes have an engine capacity of 125 or 150 cc and power from 9 to 15 hp. With a dry weight of around 100 kg, this is enough to accelerate to 100 km/h.
There are also more powerful models: 190, 200, 220, 250 “cubes”, producing on average up to 27-30 “horses”. And the most powerful are pit bikes with 300-450 cc engines and 45-50 hp. This equipment is designed for motocross, has large wheels (21/18 inches), and is produced in a very small assortment.
If you are choosing a pit bike for sports, you can look at models with any engine size. If you need a PTS, most likely, you will only be able to find 125-250 cc bikes, because higher-power engines are usually installed either on rarer models for professional sports, or on “regular” motorcycles.
checkpoint
Most pit bikes have a manual transmission, since off-road it is more efficient to change gears manually rather than rely on an automatic transmission. But there are models with both automatic and semi-automatic transmissions - there are simply fewer of them. If you like to drive an automatic, when choosing, pay attention to what kind of transmission the model has.
Suspension
Its stroke is also important for its ability to be adjusted. The longer the move, the more comfortable it will be to jump over bumps and make jumps. If you are going to drive on asphalt or do not plan to jump over jumps and potholes, you don’t need to focus on the suspension travel.
Kayo 125 Basic and Classic
The simplest configuration of a 125 cc bike is called Basic. The more advanced version of the Classic differs from the basic one in the presence of a headlight, a battery, and a modified front fork.
The CRF801-7L Classic model can be found with a 120 cc engine. see (Lifan), or with a more powerful 140 cc. see (YX 140cc). Another important difference is the tire sizes. The classic version is equipped with two types of wheels: 14/12 or 17/14 inches.
The Kayo model line has other modifications (Mini-A, Motard, Super Moto, Pro), but since our site is dedicated to 125cc motorcycles, we will tell you in more detail about the classic Kayo 125cc version.
The bike is equipped with a relatively high-speed 125 cc (120 cc) air-cooled engine. There are practically no complaints about his work. To facilitate the passage of air, there is a zero-resistance filter at the inlet. The gearbox is mechanical and has 4 speeds. The gear shift order is non-standard (the first position is neutral, the remaining gears are up). Of the numerous reviews from owners, it is worth noting the slightly tight operation of the gearbox, as well as the elusive neutral.
The steel frame has a birdcage shape and is painted black. At the front there is an inverted telescopic fork with golden-colored stays. At the rear there is a regular pendulum with a monoshock absorber (hardness adjustment is possible). Front and rear disc brakes are single-piston. Direct-flow type muffler. The gas tank is plastic and has a separate pressure relief valve. The wings and facings are made of soft plastic, which bends quite easily, but does not break.
There is no instrument panel, but there is an hour meter and an electronic tachometer.
Choice by price
Since a pit bike is a relatively simple technique, prices for it start at 100 thousand rubles. In the range from 65 to 100 thousand there is a rather large selection of pit bikes with an engine capacity of 125 cubic meters. For example, the BSE brand has 8 models that fit within this budget.
The largest selection is in the range from 100 to 200 thousand: the range includes dozens of models from different brands. Light 125 cc pit bikes generally cost 100-120, 150 cc - from 110, and 250 cc - from 130-150 thousand.
Equipment more expensive than 200 thousand will most likely be either the most powerful, or the highest quality and reliable, or the most sophisticated in terms of configuration. Also, new models with a title (for example, the BSE M2 Y model with a volume of 250 “cubes”) usually cost significantly more than 200 thousand.
Pitbike Kayo Urban 125: urban adaptation
Kayo 125 urban is a city dweller, economical and reliable, like all its brothers. The factory configuration comes pre-installed with everything necessary for driving on public roads, including an electric starter and documents: the city version of the pit is equipped with a PTS. The manufacturer has not forgotten the initial purpose of the motorcycle - to participate in competitions; on models with a kick, a platform is provided for attaching the starting number. The location of the conventional kick in models with an electric starter is inconvenient - if you analyze reviews of the Kayo 125, most often in winter the motorcycle starts only in the traditional way.
Selection by brand
Despite the fact that pit bikes appeared in the USA and the term itself also originated there, now they are produced mainly in Asia and a little in Europe.
Let us briefly list the popular manufacturers:
- Kayo. One of the most famous brands of pit bikes, launched in the 2000s. His equipment does not particularly stand out: it is simple, reliable and cheap, and since it is widespread in Russia, it is also easy to maintain (parts are easy to find, as are repairmen).
- YCF. A young French brand with a rather large range of models, mainly in the middle price segment. The reviews do not complain about quality, but in our country these pit bikes are poorly represented.
- BSE. Another large Chinese brand founded in 2002. Closest competitor to Kayo. It has a large assortment of pit bikes of different sizes and capacities, and also produces models with a title for highways. It is already quite widely known in Russia and has every chance of breaking into the top sales of pit bikes (despite the fact that it started selling here later than Kayo).
- Progasi. The Spanish brand, which appeared several years ago, assembles its equipment in China. He approaches design very responsibly; he selects components, if not the best, then some of them. The downsides are the above-average price tag, a small number of models, the absence (possibly temporary) of models with PTS, and very poor distribution in the Russian Federation.
- Motoland. Not a manufacturer, but a distributor: under this brand various motorcycles from different Chinese and Taiwanese factories are sold. It has been operating since the mid-2000s, but pit bikes with this logo appeared in our country not so long ago. They are inexpensive and the selection is average. The disadvantages are the same as those of other models that have recently appeared in the Russian Federation: they are not sold everywhere, and they are not easy to service.
Previously, pit bikes were produced by others, including more well-known brands like Yamaha and Kawasaki. They can be found on sale secondhand. You can also see other brands, mainly from China - for example, BRZ, Wels, Apollo. They are not sold everywhere and they are not very well known here, so we present these names just so that you are aware of the approximate assortment.
Choosing a pit bike by wheel diameter
“Size matters” - this is exactly about pit bike wheels. Today on sale you can most often find 17x14 or 14x12 options. The “multi-caliber” wheels guarantee better stability, especially in rough terrain or off-road conditions.
When choosing a pit bike, the rider's height is taken into account not only to determine the height of the saddle. It can also affect the diameter of vehicle wheels.
For children under 120 cm tall, motorcycles with 10×10 and 12×10 wheels are suitable. Teenagers with a height of up to 150 cm most often buy models with wheel diameters of 12x10 and 14x12. The average height from 150 to 180 cm corresponds to the sizes 14×12 and 17×14, and the tallest (from 180 cm and above) – 17×14, 19×16 and the less common 21×18.
Kayo 125 reviews
Pete 125: steers, drives, gets on the wheel. It is quite enough for winter rides. Of the minuses: the electric starter was not connected - I still didn’t understand how to connect it. Started it with kick. The plastic crumbled in the cold))), the chain is terrible, the bolts require a lock. Mikhail, Kolomna.
On first impressions: the Kayo 125 pit bike is a cheap and rugged cross/enduro option! Victor, Khabarovsk.
It climbs everywhere, you go wherever you want. I changed the tires to Japanese ones - the cross-country ability increased several times. There are plenty of spare parts, easy repairs. There is enough power for now; next season I’m thinking of changing the rear sprocket to a larger size. Georgy, Novosibirsk.
Normal Chinese motak. For some it’s for stunts or racing, but for me to go fishing, to take me, and to ride through the fields and forests a little. Sergey, Moscow.
Of course, the Coyote 125 is inferior to the Japanese in terms of dynamics, but it is lucky with dignity. Positive from branches in the face, rushing through the forest or through the mud when you crawl, you yourself are all dirty - but he still goes. Alexander, Ekaterinburg
New Kayo 125
The late 2016 model, Kayo 125 krz classic, is distinguished by a riot of colors. Multi-colored grips and other details lift your spirits just by looking at the bike. But the main technical characteristics for the new Kayo 125 model are an increase in maximum speed to 90 km/h. This feature makes it possible for the krz to fully participate in competitions in mini-motocross, motorcycle orienteering and enduro rides.
The current model year brought Kayo 125 lite 2022 to the market. This is the most budget-friendly of all models, which has not lost its versatility. Its main difference among its 125 brothers is its height. At the saddle it is only 70 cm, which is suitable for both a short rider and a young owner. The wires are neatly collected. There is a light, frame ignition switch and electric start.
The dull old 420 chain is accompanied by a pretty good chain tensioner with flanges and an unexpectedly short slider, which immediately asks to be replaced with a longer one. The calipers are small in size and have non-standard pads - which will most likely become a problem in the future. Quite good quality for a budget model.
Pitbike Kayo 125 characteristic features
The Chinese pragmatically provided for further development of the Kayo 125 by future owners. This was reflected in the form of additional technical holes and special platforms. The chain of pit bikes is equipped with a trap, but it also requires improvement: its width contributes to the chain being pulled off instead of being retained. But it properly protects against damage to parts.
Kayo 125 reviews largely agree on the operation of the transmission:
- unusual arrangement of speeds: neutral comes first, all others are top in order;
- difficult gear shifting;
- elusive neutral.
