When you want the fun and excitement of a motorcycle without the size or the high cost, it’s time to turn to a mini bike. These diminutive motorbikes are sweeping the country, with their off-road style tires, their excellent power and acceleration, and their low operating costs. Great gas mileage means hours of fun without having to spend a lot at the pumps. These bikes are rugged and tough enough to do what a moto scooter could never do, but the price tag is much lower than a full-sized dirt bike or a motorcycle. They’re the perfect combination, the ideal way to spend those warm summer evenings and weekends.

A Baby Dirt Bike
Most mini bikes have more in common with dirt bikes than motorcycles, with their knobby tires and tough suspension systems. They are made for bumpy roads, backcountry trails, and all of the mud you can find.

They’re also much smaller, though, giving them their great versatility and that excellent gas mileage. Though there are many different models to choose from, you’ll find they tend to sit about 24-36 inches high, and they run around 36-60 inches from tire to tire. The wheels, however, are around 14 to 15 inches, meaning you can conquer any terrain with ease.

Technical Specifications
Most of the time, a mini motorbike is going to come with a pull start system, just like you would find on a snowmobile or a lawn mower. A common small engine size is 79.5cc, though, again, this is different from one model to the next. A lot of bikes have engines running up to 196cc, 212cc and even higher. It all depends what you want, but your main takeaway should be this: With a mini bike, you may get a small frame, but you always get a ton of power for the size. These can really get up and go when you put them to the test.

The bike will also use disc brakes, which are powered by a hand brake system, like you would find on a mountain bike. It has a twist throttle that you operate with your right hand, while braking with your left. Larger bikes – as noted, some are around 60 inches long and around 36 inches high – are also going to come with kick stands for those rare moments when you don’t want to go out for a spin.

Tips for Riding
Now that you can see why a small moto bike is going to revolutionize the way you ride and how it’s going to work, it’s time to learn how to ride. Remember, this is very different than riding a motorcycle. Most of these bikes are not street legal, and they have lower tops speeds than a motorbike. Because of the small frame, simply getting on the bike and getting started feels a lot different, and you must know what to expect to ride well and have a blast.

First and foremost, start at a slow speed and get used to the way that the bike balances. Because of the large wheels, these bikes actually balance really well, but you do have to bend your knees more than a motorcycle, so you need to get used to this position.

Your knees are crucial on a mini bike, just like they are on a dirt bike. If you’re going over rough terrain, you want to rise up off of the bike’s wide seat, standing with your knees bent and using them as shocks to absorb the bumps. This makes the ride smooth and gives you greater control. Sitting down fully is fine when you are on concrete, asphalt, or another smooth surface, but it just doesn’t work as well on trails or in the mud.

Once you get going, play with the brakes and the gas to learn how fast these bikes can both accelerate and stop. You will find that they do both tremendously well, especially the racing models with the larger engines and smooth tires, due to their low overall weight. Once you can gauge this, you need to learn how to slow down in the first half of a corner and then power out of it. With too much power, the back tire can break loose, sliding on the pavement; with too little, you lose all of your speed in the corner. You have to find that perfect balance.

Safety on a Mini Bike
Finally, on any scooter or bike, you always want to be safe, whether you’re racing or just having fun. Wear a helmet, and make sure it is rated high enough to protect you in the event of a crash. You don’t just want a bike helmet, but a larger dirt bike helmet or snowmobile helmet with full face protection and a mask. It can also be helpful to ride with boots and gloves, especially over that rough terrain.