What is a pit bike? You may have heard the term “pit bike” and became curious about what this type of bike is. Pit bikes have been around for a long time, with origins that go back to dirt bike races. Pit bikes are actually an item that is hotly debated, as many experts can’t seem to agree on what a pit bike really is.

Pit bikes are an excellent option, especially for beginners or teenagers, because they are smaller and don’t typically go as fast as full-size dirt bikes.

What Is a Pit Bike?

Pit bikes are small, lightweight motorcycles mainly used for pit racing and riding in pits. Though there are pit bikes that are made for adults, they are usually made for and used by children and teenagers. Because they are smaller and have less powerful engines, pit bikes are much cheaper than dirt bikes.

Technically, both pit and dirt bikes are specific types of motorcycles. Their general structures are pretty similar, it’s just that pit bikes are smaller and made to be used under different conditions.

Pit bikes were originally made for riding around the pit areas of a motocross race. Because they are small, easy to maintain, and comparatively cheap, they are becoming more and more popular. Nowadays, pit bike racing is a popular sport, much like Motocross, and there is an increasing number of pit bikes on the market that are specifically designed for racing.

Pit bikes and pit bike racing are especially popular among teenagers and older children. Though there are a lot of adult riders who enjoy pit bikes and some who even prefer them to full-size dirt bikes, most still consider pit bikes to be the training wheels of the dirt biking world.

Why Do They Call it a Pit Bike?

One of the first questions you may have is why they call this type of bike a pit bike. This term’s origin is believed to come from the Honda Z50 Monkey bike, an old-school motorcycle that was typically used by the event staff of motocross race events.

These bikes were used by the event staff in order to easily maneuver around the pit areas of the tracks. The pit bikes were small and inexpensive, making them the practical choice for getting around these events. They would ferry the riders, event staff, and even photographers throughout the staging areas of racing events.

It was eventually discovered that these bikes were more useful than just a taxi bike to be used during events. Riders were able to do small stunts and jumps using these bikes, something that made these bikes become very popular for fans. They were able to see the true potential of these bikes.

Once these bikes exploded in popularity, Honda redesigned this original pit bike to be a more “capable” bike than the traditional pit bikes. Brands like Kawasaki also wanted to take advantage of the market, creating their own pit bike model: the Kawasaki KLX110. This bike was made to appeal to adult riders as it was bigger and more durable than other options on the market.

Pit Bikes vs. Dirt Bikes

There are a few main differences between pit bikes and full-size dirt bikes. The first is that pit bikes are a lot slower; this is mostly because they simply have less powerful engines.

Their engines usually range between only 50 and 150 ccs, while dirt bike engines rarely fall below 140 ccs and can be higher than 450 ccs. Pit bikes also have far less torque than a full-size dirt bike, which hampers their speed significantly.

Pit bikes also can’t be ridden in the same kinds of conditions as standard dirt bikes. Though they are technically classified as off-road vehicles, you don’t want to try riding a pit bike on a rocky trail or steep path. Pit bikes are meant to be ridden in actual pits, or the staging areas of races, and on smoother, gentler trails.

They don’t have the heavy duty covering on their tires that dirt bikes do, so they don’t have nearly the same amount of traction. Pit bikes also don’t have as much protection for their engines as dirt bikes and sit lower to the ground. This means that they are far more easily damaged by large branches or rocks.

It’s also possible to make a pit bike street legal, just like full-size dirt bikes, but it’s usually somewhat easier.

Pit bikes require a lot less time and money to maintain than dirt bikes, and a pit bike owner doesn’t need to buy as much extra gear, either.

Why Are Pit Bikes So Cheap?

This is a more complicated question to answer. Generally speaking, pit bikes are so cheap because these are not usually designed for competitive racing or to be quite as durable as the more rugged dirt bikes.

Cheaper models of this bike (which are manufactured in a cheap manner) are more designed as a toy rather than a serious bike. As a result, they tend to break quicker, not lasting the rider a long time. These cheaper models are made for children and teens or for beginners that may not want to spend a fortune on a dirt bike without knowing whether or not they will like it.

There are pit bikes that are much cheaper, typically Chinese-made bikes that are made specifically to be a toy for children. Some of these cheaper bikes can be as low as $200 dollars. However, you will get exactly what you pay for when you buy these much cheaper options.

For a quality option like the Kawasaki KLX 110, you can expect to pay around $2,300. This is a compact option that goes around 50 MPH, but it will last you a lot longer than the standard pit bike options on the market. If you want a smaller dirt bike with the same function of a regular dirt bike, then the Kawasaki KLX 110 can be the perfect option to consider.

Should I Get A Pit Bike?

Even though a pit bike can’t do the same things or handle the same conditions that a full-sized dirt bike can, there are a few reasons why you might want to buy one.

First of all, pit bikes are great beginner bikes, and that doesn’t just apply to kids. If you’ve never ridden any kind of motorcycle before, a pit bike is a good way to get a feel for things.

Because you’ll be riding at slower speeds and on gentler trails – or even around your backyard – you’re less likely to hurt yourself while you’re learning how to balance and turn. If you’ve ever been to a Motocross event or just gone on Youtube, you might have seen some pretty gnarly dirt bike crashes.

While you can and almost certainly will still crash on a pit bike, your chances of doing so are slimmer and any resulting injuries will likely be less severe.

The price tag on a full-size dirt bike can be a turn-off, especially if you don’t plan on having the time to go off-roading every weekend. The good news is that anyone who doesn’t necessarily have the cash or time to commit to an actual dirt bike can have a lot of fun on a pit bike instead!

You can still ride it on paved or beginner trails, but unlike a regular dirt bike, you can also just take it for a spin around your backyard.

Because a pit bike is also much easier to maintain than a full-size dirt bike, you might want to consider getting one if you don’t want to spend a lot of time working in the garage.

Overall, a pit bike can be a great investment if you’re new to riding or don’t want to commit to a full-size dirt bike. The skills you learn on a pit bike will transfer over if you buy a dirt bike later on, and in the meantime, you’ll have a lot of fun for less money and hassle.

Pit Bikes for Kids

If you want to get a pit bike for your kid, there are a couple of things you’ll need to look for. If it’s their first bike, you probably won’t want anything with too powerful of an engine, maybe somewhere around 50 ccs. However, weight and height make a big difference, so if your child is older, you might need something a little more powerful.

Of course, safety is a big deal when it comes to motorcycles, so make sure you don’t forget to get protective gear for your kid.

Pit Bikes For Adults

Even though there aren’t as many pit bikes on the market that are designed for adults, there are still plenty to choose from. Before you purchase one, make sure you know if it will work for your weight and height.

You’ll also want to avoid buying anything that’s low-quality. Most riders recommend staying away from models manufactured in China and say that they’ve found that those pit bikes don’t last very long and constantly need maintenance.

How Do You Transport a Pit Bike?

Pit bikes are smaller, making them easier to transport than dirt bikes. Because they are smaller than a standard dirt bike, and can be squeezed into much smaller, tighter spaces. But once they are in one of these spaces, the trick can then be how to tie them down with traditional straps.

Because of the limitations of straps, the best thing to pair up with a pit bike is a quick release dirt bike transport system like the Lock-N-Load Pro.

The system consists of a near flush to the surface mounting base that stays bolted down in your vehicle. Then you slide the two mounting arms into that base. Now that your pit bike into place, unlock the mounting jaws down onto your foot pegs and you’re good to go.

It’s super easy in and out use and can be cleverly mounted just about anywhere you can find a place to mount your pit bike.

How Fast Do Pit Bikes Go?

On average, a pit bike can potentially reach speeds of up to 50 MPH. There are different factors that can determine the speed of the pit bike, such as the engine size. A 50cc bike on lower gears can reach a top speed of between 15MPH and 20MPH. Pit bikes with an engine size of 140cc can get a high gear top speed of 60 MPH.

Another consideration for how fast a pit bike can go is the sprocket gearing. This can increase the speed of a pit bike, with a potential of 50MPH in high gear for a 50cc bike. There are also modifications that can be completed on your pit bike, with some modifications adding 5MPH speed for your pit bike.

Finally, the experience of the rider can determine the speeds. An adult with a lot of experience will go a lot faster than a teenager just starting out.

You can determine the average speed of your bike by performing time trials, like those that take place in video games. You will take 3 laps of the course while someone times you, giving you enough data to come up with the average speed of the bike.

FAQs

What is the difference between a dirt bike and a pit bike?

Pit bikes have smaller frames compared to dirt bikes. They have smaller wheels, too, which makes it easier to manoeuver around minimal obstacle pit courses. Pit bikes generally have 14 inch front tyres and 12 inch back tyres. The pit bike’s body is lower, which places the engine closer to the ground.

Can a pit bike be street legal?

So, since pit bikes are built as OHVs, they usually don’t come equipped with any lights or horns. Thankfully, it’s not too hard to find street-legal light kits for a pit bike. In most cases, a pit bike must be equipped with the following items to be considered street-legal: White headlight with low and high beam.

Are pit bikes hard to ride?

It’s relatively easy to ride a dirt bike and it normally takes just a few sessions to grasp the basics. However, it can take much longer to master your skills and to move to other related sports like motocross. Additionally, it’s vital that you learn to ride a dirt bike safely and with the proper technique.

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