Mini bikes.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

My son is finally starting to grow a pair and get interested in normal things. Like mini bikes.

https://gokartsusa.com/mini-bike-kit...-wheels-2.aspx

This is a kit I am looking at. Has anyone had experience with any of the modern build your own variety?

If he doesn't want one I have a 8hp Kohker engine I can use to get my self killed.

Also is taller the better in terms of tires?

[67C10Step]

As an old motorcycle guy that started on one of those rigid frame minibikes here is my opinion and it's worth at least what you are paying for it.

Go with a frame with front/rear shocks. Those rigid frames will make him scared to ride it if the terrain is bumpy. Also, bigger diameter tires soak up the rough stuff better than a smaller tire than falls into every pot hole and rut.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

Originally Posted by 67C10Step

As an old motorcycle guy that started on one of those rigid frame minibikes here is my opinion and it's worth at least what you are paying for it.

Go with a frame with front/rear shocks. Those rigid frames will make him scared to ride it if the terrain is bumpy. Also, bigger diameter tires soak up the rough stuff better than a smaller tire than falls into every pot hole and rut.

Ironically he is willing to ride this vs a 50cc type dirt bike.

Plus I want one to bomb around the pomona swap meet

[CG]

How old is your son?

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

10, but he is a born osha safety nut naturally.

[Dead Parrot]

I had one of these as a kid. One big advantage for a learning biker is these type mini-bikes often have a top speed of 10~20 mph depending on how it is geared. Mine had a 5hp motor and topped out about 15 mph. But it would climb a steeper hill then I wanted to climb without going to full throttle. The slower speed limited body damage to scrapes and bruises that taught lessons without causing permanent harm. Don't remember if mine had shocks but it was of the smaller tire variety.

[FleetsidePaul]

I bought my son an old POS mini bike when he was about 10. I think I paid 15 bucks for it. He was riding it and I was talking to the neighbor when the throttle stuck. My kid was buzzing around all over the street. Screaming his head off. He couldn't slow down We chased him down and picked the back of the bike up with the rear wheel spinning and shut it down.

He never rode it again. He's almost 40 now and still talks about it. It shook him up.

[Zippi]

I had a "Little Indian" minibike when I was a kid in the early 60's and boy was that thing a lot of fun. Never really thought much about it until I saw this post. He'll have a blast on that thing as we all did when we were kids. When your 10 you don't mind the rough ride, you just want to ride.

[special-K]

Taller tires and suspension means ride faster. I think the rigid frame and hand truck tires serve the min-bike's purpose to get a kid twisting a throttle, handling, and stopping a motorized bike. He will either want something better or move on to other things

[67C10Step]

I know you know this but as an old biker I have to be master of the obvious: gloves, helmet, and boots.

It's not if he will get on the ground, just when. It's just part of the adventure.

[gvw5400]

Taller tires and suspension means ride faster. I think the rigid frame and hand truck tires serve the min-bike's purpose to get a kid twisting a throttle, handling, and stopping a motorized bike. He will either want something better or move on to other things

This !, What makes a mini bike a great starter machine is it's not a motorcycle.
You can change "gear" ratios easily with sprockets and chain to limit or increase speed as the kid develops skills. Learn the basics of riding and wrenching!
I always wanted one as a kid, But we built homemade go carts and converted riding mowers into off road buggies. A whole lot of fun!
All the Best, Dirk

[CG]

I never had a mini bike when I was a kid, but some of my buddies did. We had so much fun on those darn things. Little balloon tires, no suspension and a bunch of crazy boys doing dumb stuff. We got banged up scratched up, clunked our noggins, all the stuff that somehow every single one of us managed to survive and more than one of us has the scar to prove it haha!

Fast forward to when my kids were young. The guy I worked for had a mini bike that his kids rode, they were too big so he sold it to me. My kids rode it and outgrew it. So I gave it to one of my buddies whos kids were much younger than mine. Eventually they out grew it and he gave me the mini bike back.

My grand kids have other toys to ride so I gave it to one of my sons and he and his step daughter are fixing it up to ride.

[yuccales]

Originally Posted by CG

My grand kids have other toys to ride so I gave it to one of my sons and he and his step daughter are fixing it up to ride.

Here's my little Bonanza. Still in the family, still runs.

[special-K]

Sweet one! I'm glad you showed a picture. This thread was worthless before. Do you swap the seat back and forth from bike to mini? They're almost twins. Just looking at a picture reminds me of how it was riding them. Haul butt and watch out for bumps and ruts!

I never had one, either. But I had friends with them. Some had brothers with one I could ride. I was all about my bicycles.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Ziegelsteinfaust

10, but he is a born osha safety nut naturally.

This statement is chuckle worthy. Funny how humans can be.

[yuccales]

Originally Posted by special-K

Sweet one! I'm glad you showed a picture. This thread was worthless before. Do you swap the seat back and forth from bike to mini?

It's big brother HAD a seat cut from a super single tread, but it blew off while in the back of the truck. Here I am doing my best Rollie Free impersonation many years ago. I'm thinking one to many Colorado Kool Aids had something to do with this.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

This statement is chuckle worthy. Funny how humans can be.

My friend once told me I have what leading Dr's call a death wish, and he was surprised I made it too 30.

[cwcarpenter98]

Anyone like or dislike the Coleman ct200 ones usually sold at Tractor Supply?