If you want to buy a mini-motorcycle, but don’t know how to choose a pit bike by height in order to choose the right wheel radius, then read this article. Having calculated the necessary indicators, you will find a vehicle that has a comfortable fit and the desired wheel radius. Since the advent of the first sports motorcycles, manufacturing companies have come a long way. Today, everyone can choose the ideal pit bike for themselves, on which they can easily cover any distance.
How to choose the right pit bike?
The times when a pit bike was considered a frivolous piece of equipment for teenagers are long gone. Modern models can accelerate to 100 km/h, move over any rough terrain and work properly regardless of weather and climatic conditions.
Pit bikes have many advantages
These small mini-motorcycles, as it turned out in practice, have significant advantages. One of the main ones is accessibility. There is a large selection of pit bikes on the market for a wide variety of wallets. If you wish, you can find a model for both 40 and 200 thousand rubles.
The second advantage of this type of motorcycle is ease of control. This also includes simplicity and low cost of maintenance, excellent tuning and modernization potential.
To drive a pit bike in our country, you do not need to obtain a driver’s license or obtain a PTS. It is not required to register with the traffic police. Pit bikes belong to the category of sports equipment and can be used by people of any age. The right to use the equipment is confirmed by a purchase and sale agreement, which must include the owner’s passport details and VIN number.
Despite the fact that pit bikes first appeared in California (USA), mass demand for them emerged in China. It is there that 95% of this equipment is produced today. The choice of pit bikes from Chinese manufacturers is truly huge. However, before purchasing, you need to decide not only on the country of production, but also on a number of other criteria that will allow you to choose the optimal model for driving over rough terrain or a prepared route.
Traffic rules and pit bike
When meeting with traffic police inspectors, you will definitely have problems! Therefore, a teenager must know that he must be held responsible for every action. Understanding this makes a man out of a boy !
The current economic situation has forced manufacturers to put up some assembled models for sale. Naturally, there were people who tried to use this transport on public roads, which created certain problems for all other road users (including bicycles and scooters).
First, Japan, and then other countries, introduced bans on the use of such devices on the roads. So most of the models moved into the children's “toys” sector.
The development of electric vehicles, of course, has pushed them aside, but thanks to engineers from the Middle Kingdom, every parent has a choice - to buy an electric car or a gasoline pit bike for their child. The choice of the child in this case is most often clear - after all, the pit bike is so similar to the real one...
Pitbike and children
A pit bike for a child can develop into a more serious hobby - motocross. And this is a very expensive pleasure.
Remember that this is not a toy, without exaggeration it can be called a full-fledged motorcycle transport, it just does not have “extra” parts for motocross and light enduro, such as turn signals, rear-view mirrors, headlights. It is with these PIT bikes that a child’s journey into the world of motocross, or simply the magical, but so dangerous world of motorcycles begins.
Then it’s up to the parents to decide whether to look for something they like (a hobby) for the child, or to make the child, out of laziness, start drinking beer in the hallways, and then, as my mother told me as a child: “You’ll go rob the kiosks.”
Selection of pit bike by height
When choosing a pit bike based on height, you need to evaluate such a parameter as the height of the mini-motorcycle on the saddle. As a rule, it varies from 550 to 950 mm. To find the optimal ratio, you need to measure your height and divide the resulting figure by 2.
The choice of wheel diameter also depends on the height of the rider. When inspecting a mini-motorcycle, you need to make sure that when landing, the rider does not touch the steering wheel with his knees, and that his foot is completely on the ground when stopping. The discomfort of landing will definitely affect the quality of pit bike control and maneuvering capabilities.
It is important to choose the right pit bike for your height
Wheels for a pit bike
Properly selected tires are a guarantee of good handling and safety for the biker, and the motocross tire improves the handling of the motorcycle. What are the differences between a motorcycle tire and a car tire? The width of a motorcycle wheel is smaller than that of a car, so they must have good grip on various road surfaces.
Sports pit bike
They are made from a special rubber composition that provides good grip on the road. Their basic design differs little from tires for passenger cars and even trucks. Motor tires can be radial or diagonal, with a tube or tubeless. The carcass of a motocross tire improves wear resistance, strength and resists punctures. It mainly consists of four-ply cords, and for sandy and gravel soils the tires can be six-ply.
The tread is one of the main parts of the product that you should pay attention to when choosing tires for a motorcycle. A range of models with a variety of patterns - from smooth to deep treads with an aggressive pattern.
To determine which type of rubber is suitable for a particular application, it is advisable to know where it will be used.
Selection of pit bike by power
Engine capacity is one of the main technical indicators of motor vehicles. If we are talking about models for children, then a volume of 50-70 cm³ will be more than enough. For teenagers, engine capacity can be increased to 110 cubic meters. All models - both children's and teenagers - are usually equipped with electric starters.
When helping a beginner choose a pit bike, you should pay attention to models with an engine from 125 cc to 140 cm³. This type of motorcycle is perfect for a novice rider. It is capable of accelerating up to 70-80 km/h, has a good load capacity (up to 130 kg) and a margin of safety (when choosing, you should pay attention to the frame).
Pit bikes with a 160cc engine produce power up to 20 hp. This is already an option for experienced drivers who like to have fun on the track. They can accelerate up to 90 km/h.
Models with engines of 200-250 cc are already enduro. They are designed for long off-road tourist routes and are equipped with an air-oil engine cooling system, a lightweight frame and simple disc brakes. Suitable only for experienced riders who understand how equipment behaves in certain conditions.
Powerplant volume
When choosing a two-wheeler, you need to focus on the engine features. Beginners should not immediately purchase the most powerful model. For cross-country, units capable of carrying heavy loads are suitable. They are hardy and undemanding to repair. This will help you save on equipment maintenance.
Models with semi-automatic transmission are more convenient. This allows the driver to unleash the full potential of the engine while changing gears without using the clutch. This is ensured by a special spring mechanism. This option is suitable for both beginners and experienced motorcyclists. Although for professional racing it is better to choose mechanics.
Teenagers should focus on motorcycles whose engine capacity does not exceed 500 cubic centimeters. Although an adult will be comfortable on such an iron horse. This is the optimal pit bike for beginners. It produces 16 horses. Professional units have a 1500 cc engine. Suitable for performing jumps and other tricks on a motorcycle.
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. Average height from 150 to 180 cm corresponds to sizes 14x12 and 17x14, and the tallest (from 180 cm and above) - 17x14, 19x16 and less common 21x18.
What is a mini cross motorcycle?
A pit bike is a separate subtype of motor vehicle. It is used for motocross competitions. Due to its compact size, such transport is suitable for beginner motorcyclists and teenagers.
The characteristic features of such a motorcycle include:
- reduced geometry;
- small wheels;
- four-stroke or two-stroke engine model.
Pit bikes are easier to ride than standard motorcycles. They are cheaper and safer. Such transport allows you to instill a love of sports without the additional costs of maintaining full-size motorcycles.
Selecting a pit bike by price
The price factor when choosing a pit bike is often decisive. However, today this is not a problem. With a huge selection of models from a variety of manufacturers, you can find a suitable model without going beyond your planned budget. There are both inexpensive options and more expensive ones.
Up to 40 thousand rubles
The first thing that comes to mind at this price is children's and teenage models. One of them is Avantis 050 Basic 17/14. This is an excellent option with an engine up to 50 cc and different-sized wheels of 17 and 14 inches. Like many similar models, it is equipped with reliable disc brakes and an automatic transmission. Pit bikes of this type are easy to control, and most importantly, they have a speed limiter.
Avantis 050 Basic 17/14
If we talk about models for adults, a good example of budget vehicles would be Cross 50 X (2020) and Kayo DBR SX50-A2T. The volume of two-stroke engines of these models also does not exceed 50 cm³. Power varies from 2.1 to 3.5 hp. However, there are even cheaper pit bikes, but their power is no more than 1.8 hp.
Cross 50 X (2020)
The transmission for public sector employees is most often a CVT. All have disc brakes. As for the maximum speed, as a rule, it is 35-40 km/h.
Budget pit bikes are great for fishing, hunting, and safe riding over rough terrain. Their main advantage is the price. The main disadvantage is the same, since developers are forced to save on almost everything.
Kayo DBR SX50-A2T
Eventually:
- the engine of cheap mini-motorcycles is almost impossible to adjust;
- the kickstarter mounting points quickly fail;
- The frame, although made of steel, is hollow inside, not suitable for intense loads;
- The shock absorber rods are weak, so the fork often sways at speed, which negatively affects handling;
- rims, spokes, rubber tires - all of this is often of poor quality.
As a result, to bring this type of equipment to fruition, additional tuning of 10-15 thousand will be required. Is it worth it? You decide. Many people find it easier to consider a more advanced model in a higher price category.
Up to 100 thousand rubles
There is already room to turn around. The choice of pit bikes in this price category is simply huge. Here you can find models for children and for more experienced riders who love tricks - jumping, drifting, stunting.
It is in this price segment that you should look for the first car for a beginner. Firstly, pit bikes priced at 50-80 thousand will, at a minimum, be more reliable and safe. Secondly, they are easier to control and will not hit the wallet as much as mini-motorcycles costing 150-200 thousand.
The best choice would be a 125cc pit bike, such as the Kayo Basic YX125. It is equipped with standard wheels (rear 14 inches, front 17 inches), telescopic forks, rear monoshock absorbers and a 125 cc four-stroke engine producing 11 hp.
Kayo Basic YX125
Most models in this price category can boast of the following features:
- Steel frame. Despite the fact that on some models it is still hollow, it has a more impressive wall thickness compared to “state employees”.
- Engine. It is reliable and more resistant to stress. The volume varies from 110 to 160 cubic meters.
- Electric starter. Many models, in addition to the classic kickstarter, also have an electric starter.
- Impact resistant plastic. All plastic parts have shape memory.
- Steering wheel. It is also heavier due to an increase in the wall thickness of the parts. Much less likely to become deformed when dropped.
As for the transmission, it is available in both manual and automatic versions. The weight of a mini-motorcycle varies from 70 to 80 kg. Monoshock absorbers on some models are already adjustable. The tire thickness has been increased and the tread has a deeper pattern.
In this category you can already find more powerful units, for example YCF Supermoto F125 12/12, 125 CC (2020). With the same volume of 125 cubic meters, there is already a power of 11 hp, and the total weight does not exceed 69 kg.
YCF Supermoto F125 12/12, 125 CC (2020)
Features of wheels, steering wheel
Budget models of two-wheelers have a steel steering wheel. It is heavy, often breaks and requires regular maintenance. Aluminum options with high strength and light weight are considered high-quality. However, this increases the final cost of the equipment.
The choice of motorcycle tires deserves special attention. The cross version of the wheels is suitable for use on unpaved surfaces. When driving on asphalt, such rubber quickly wears out and becomes unusable. Wheels with a diameter of 14 inches are suitable for daily training.
Motorcycle tires for motocross
There are certain requirements for cross-country tires in order to be used on various tracks. It is designed for fast sport driving - high-speed driving on smooth road surfaces. Motorcycle tires have a high speed index and such models are characterized by a shallow tread pattern. For a sports motorcycle (for fast driving), you need track tires - completely smooth tires (slicks). This provides excellent traction on smooth, dry surfaces, but on uneven, wet roads, driving with these tires requires caution.
Cross tires are not intended for driving on asphalt, as they do not provide the necessary grip on the road and they wear out quickly. When driving on asphalt roads, sneaker wheels create poor handling and low braking.
Important!
Cross-country tires are made from a hard rubber compound with a strong cord and medium-height lugs. The choice of appropriate tires must be made depending on the surface on which you plan to ride: on hard soils, elastic rubber with wide lugs is used, on soft soils, hard rubber with small lugs is used.
Various models of motorcycle tires differ in tread pattern with specially shaped grooves for quickly draining water from the surface and in the structure of the frame. The tread pattern and lug height are responsible for longitudinal and lateral grip on the road surface. The protector is selected depending on the conditions in which the motorcycle is used:
- for hard soils, a one-piece tread pattern with narrow gaps between large lugs is suitable;
- on soft ones, a tread with small “checkers” with wide gaps is used;
- For motocross, tires are produced with reinforced side elements and large lugs.
Important!
Correctly selected motocross tires will provide longitudinal and lateral grip on the road surface and safe cornering.
