In our world where everyone seems to only care about “thinking big,” it’s somewhat refreshing to come across big thrills in small packages. While having a ‘big bike’ of 300 to 400cc really catches attention, a pit bike or mini bike peaks an observer’s interest more—and with good reason. A pit bike is not just a kid’s toy miniature motorcycle, and it definitely was not meant to be one when it was conceived, because the little motorcycles pack their own speed and thrills, along with dangers.
Mini bikes are by all means smaller versions of motorcycles. Traditionally running on four stroke engines (though some run on two stroke engines and electricity-powered motors), nowadays they’re more or less normal to encounter every once in a while. The pit bike is pretty much like go-carts in that they were made from spare parts in enthusiasts’ garages. Taking up their first informal label ‘pit bike’ from their use as pit bikes in the drag racing pits of the 1950s, they proved quite useful in the tight pits as they maneuvered well, were small enough to fit in the back of a pickup, and were faster than previous modes of transportation. Soon enough, neighborhoods have seen these mini motorcycles when the racers brought them home. As interest for the pit bike rose, so did the demand for it. Soon companies such as Rupp, Fox, and Arctic Cat took up the yoke of supplying for the new demand for mini, speedy pit bikes and other power toys. Come the late 1960s to the early 1970s, the pit bike era was at its summit. Famous brands gained a cult following of enthusiasts and owners, and pit bikes, having more people patronizing them, faced new uses and misuses.
Mini bikes’ legitimacy differs from country to country, and of course where they are cleared for public use, safety precautions similarly employed in using their larger counterparts should be taken. The several varieties of mini bikes may be small, but in their 30-something to 50-something cc frames they could pack as much as 15 horsepower, thus being able to whirl past at 30 to 70 kilometers per hour. Pit bikes have also been used in racing competitions resembling motocross rallies and such, aside from being used for their original purpose. Being small, convenient modes of transport, they can also be seen being used in neighborhoods and in virtually all terrains (in the countries where they’re legal, of course), as they efficiently tackle even difficult and challenging terrain.
All in all, from the looks to the uses, mini bikes could even rival their original motorcycle counterparts if not for practicality reasons (where a larger built man would probably need a larger bike). Kids have taken a liking to these miniatures too, and some have even become akin to pro-racers in circuits where they come and race. These small pit bikes do big things, perhaps a fitting reminder for us today that not everything significant needs to come in big packages—the small things matter as much.
Showing posts with label Pit Bike. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pit Bike. Show all posts
Auto Mobiles: Pit Bike VS Pit Fall
When you look at a skilled rider, the first thing that rushes through your mind is, 'I wish I could do that'. A lot of people have these thoughts when it comes to stunt riding, yet, a lot of people are unsure as to how they can make this dream a reality. The main issue for a lot of people is the fact that they do not want to get injured or to smash up their motorcycles trying to wheelie. So what is the safest solution? What can you do to prevent damaging your beloved machine? How can you become a skilled rider and gain the knowledge of 'how to' before you initiate a stunt on a powerful bike? It's simple. Start small. Get a pit bike!
Yes, you heard right, a pit bike. That tiny annoying but exceedingly fun motorbike people bomb around pit lanes with at the race tracks! Or even race themselves.
We are going to talk a little bit about how you can do it, why it helps and how much money a pit bike will cost - Stunt ready and ready for action!
So firstly, as you are all most likely aware, I would like to point out the fact that Chesca started out on a 110cc pit bike (like the above picture) before transferring her skills on to her Stunted out Honda CBR 600 F4i. She had put a hand brake set up on to her pit bike to allow herself to learn basic control and the techniques a rider needs to become a skilled stunt rider, before moving on to her 600cc machine. This was in fact a very good idea, why? Well...
''By learning to control the machine using the handbrake on the pit bike, I allowed myself to conquer the battle of self disbelief at a very early stage of my riding career. When I was kicking back the pit bike and hanging it in mid air by pulling the brake at balance point, I felt a sudden rush of belief and strength that I could achieve this skill. It was very encouraging, for now I was aware of what this handbrake did and how much of it I should use and when, I would be able to do the same thing when I got on to my 600. All this I achieved without damaging my road bike, a solution I had been looking for.''
So by learning how to use the brakes correctly to stop flipping the bike on a pit bike first, you will be saving a lot of time when you move on to the 600. You will in effect be by-passing some of the toughest learning curves of your stunt riding career. Not only that, if you mess up on this thing, you are less likely to receive the damage to your body as having the same accident on the 600.
''The pit bikes are light, they are small and they are extremely unstable. All of these attributes are totally opposite to the 600. Although the 600 becomes more unstable up to and beyond Balance point, it is still a heck load more stable than the 110. Learning how to battle with stability on the pit bike will help so much for the 600 too. Learn how to wheelie the pit bike without flipping it and know your limits. Then, when you move on to the 600, although you have a whole new mental barrier to cross, you will be half way there with the knowledge you have gained already on your pit bike. It works. I know.''
Having the pit bike first is a massive aid in to helping achieve the success of becoming a stunt rider quickly and safely. Learn the skill and knowledge on this first and you will find it a lot easier when you get on to the 600.
So, you want one?
A new pit bike can cost from £350 to around £500 But, you can pick them up second hand from around £150 - £200.
Then, you are ready to stunt it straight away but you will benefit hugely if you buy a decent handbrake set up. One that you can put on to your 600 as well afterwards. These cost from £190 plus a reservoir and brake line which will come to max £250 and you will need to change a few bits like the standard foot brake master and reservoir which can be replaced with a Honda foot master from £30 second hand. You may also need to weld the foot master or buy an adapter to accept the banjo thread in the inlet for the reservoir. It is also a good idea to buy HH racing pads to prevent brake fade and scooter tyres to give it more stability.
All of the above can be put on to your 600cc stunt bike after you have learned on your pit bike, this way, you are not loosing a single penny. Just make sure that the second hand bits that you buy are from a fairly new bike.
To buy a fully stunted out pit bike, you are looking from roughly £400 - £550
Yes, you heard right, a pit bike. That tiny annoying but exceedingly fun motorbike people bomb around pit lanes with at the race tracks! Or even race themselves.
We are going to talk a little bit about how you can do it, why it helps and how much money a pit bike will cost - Stunt ready and ready for action!
So firstly, as you are all most likely aware, I would like to point out the fact that Chesca started out on a 110cc pit bike (like the above picture) before transferring her skills on to her Stunted out Honda CBR 600 F4i. She had put a hand brake set up on to her pit bike to allow herself to learn basic control and the techniques a rider needs to become a skilled stunt rider, before moving on to her 600cc machine. This was in fact a very good idea, why? Well...
''By learning to control the machine using the handbrake on the pit bike, I allowed myself to conquer the battle of self disbelief at a very early stage of my riding career. When I was kicking back the pit bike and hanging it in mid air by pulling the brake at balance point, I felt a sudden rush of belief and strength that I could achieve this skill. It was very encouraging, for now I was aware of what this handbrake did and how much of it I should use and when, I would be able to do the same thing when I got on to my 600. All this I achieved without damaging my road bike, a solution I had been looking for.''
So by learning how to use the brakes correctly to stop flipping the bike on a pit bike first, you will be saving a lot of time when you move on to the 600. You will in effect be by-passing some of the toughest learning curves of your stunt riding career. Not only that, if you mess up on this thing, you are less likely to receive the damage to your body as having the same accident on the 600.
''The pit bikes are light, they are small and they are extremely unstable. All of these attributes are totally opposite to the 600. Although the 600 becomes more unstable up to and beyond Balance point, it is still a heck load more stable than the 110. Learning how to battle with stability on the pit bike will help so much for the 600 too. Learn how to wheelie the pit bike without flipping it and know your limits. Then, when you move on to the 600, although you have a whole new mental barrier to cross, you will be half way there with the knowledge you have gained already on your pit bike. It works. I know.''
So, you want one?
A new pit bike can cost from £350 to around £500 But, you can pick them up second hand from around £150 - £200.
Then, you are ready to stunt it straight away but you will benefit hugely if you buy a decent handbrake set up. One that you can put on to your 600 as well afterwards. These cost from £190 plus a reservoir and brake line which will come to max £250 and you will need to change a few bits like the standard foot brake master and reservoir which can be replaced with a Honda foot master from £30 second hand. You may also need to weld the foot master or buy an adapter to accept the banjo thread in the inlet for the reservoir. It is also a good idea to buy HH racing pads to prevent brake fade and scooter tyres to give it more stability.
All of the above can be put on to your 600cc stunt bike after you have learned on your pit bike, this way, you are not loosing a single penny. Just make sure that the second hand bits that you buy are from a fairly new bike.
To buy a fully stunted out pit bike, you are looking from roughly £400 - £550
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