To save you time in looking for the best pit bike, we’ve researched and compared a broad selection of models to bring you the best pit bikes for the money. We looked at reliability, durability, value, and fun factor, and included classic mini bikes like the Apollo pit bike line as well as scaled-down dirt bikes like the tao pit bike. You don’t have to be at a motor racing venue to enjoy these fun, tiny motorbikes. For a list of the best motorcycles in the last decade, check our best motorcycles guide.
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Our top pick, the Coleman Powersports Mini Trail Bike, weighs just 82 pounds and comes with a classic mini bike design, plus it’s fun on the dirt as well as at the track. Read on for more of our top choices, including our pick for the best 125cc pit bike.
Top 5 Best Pit Bikes
#1 Coleman Powersports Mini Trail Bike
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Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: Lightweight at just 82 lbs, this 98 cc (3 hp) pit bike provides fun for kids on the trails or around your yard for much cheaper than most pit bikes.
- Best on a budget
- 4-stroke OHV engine
- All terrain tires
- Less powerful than 125cc pit bikes
- Too small for larger adult
With its traditional mini bike design and knobby, all-terrain tires, this 4-stroke, OHV 1 cylinder, 98cc engine pit bike is ready for the trails, or to zip around your local motocross course, speedway, or kart track. It has a three-horsepower air-cooled single cylinder engine and is super fuel-efficient, rated to go for about three hours on one tiny tank of gas. It has a maximum speed of 20 mph, that of course depending on the rider’s weight and the road condition the rider is riding on. This bike can handle up to 300 pounds of weight, but the warranty only covers up to 200 pounds.
It’s also one of the more affordable pit bikes out there, and with its reputation for durability, the Coleman Mini Trail Bike is easily among the best pit bikes for the money you can buy. And to ensure durability, it features a sturdy, solid metal frame, and comes with a rugged, proven clutch. No license is needed and unlike many pit bikes, it comes almost fully assembled. Which is how the best electric motorcycles for kids arrive.
#2 Apollo DB-X18 125cc Dirt Bike
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Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: Our pick for the best 125cc pit bike, this dirt bike is among the quickest and most powerful pit bikes in its class.
- Powerful 4-stroke engine
- 4-speed manual
- Heavy duty steel frame
- Heavier than mini bikes like the Coleman Powersports
- More skill required than with single speed pit bikes
This Apollo pit bike is designed like a mini dirt bike, making it great for dirt tracks and off-road trails. It features a rugged heavy-duty steel frame and up to 750mm of suspension travel for soaking up bumps.
Our pick for the best 125cc pit bike in its class, the Apollo Tools DB-X18 has an air-cooled 4-stroke engine that spins to 7500 rpm and is good for 6.5 kW or roughly 8.7 horsepower. It has a 4-speed manual transmission, letting it reach a top speed of around 55 mph. Keep in mind that this maximum speed will vary depending on the rider’s weight and the type of terrain the rider is riding on. Recommended for ages 12 and up, it can also accommodate average-sized adults. And if you have a kid, you might want to consider the best 4 wheelers for kids. Apollo also makes the AGB 37 125cc Dirt Bike with 17-Inch Tires. It also comes with front and rear suspension and features a standard manual clutch drive with a 125cc air-cooled 4-stroke engine, making it a powerful engine that gives great performance on off-road terrain. Note that this can handle up to a maximum weight of 220 lbs.
#3 Tao Tao Dirt Bike DB14 Pit Bike
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Award: BEST AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHY WE LIKE IT: Our pick for a budget-friendly 4-stroke mini dirt bike, this Tao pit bike is lots of fun and has a semi-automatic transmission.
- A great size for off roading
- 11+ inches of ground clearance
- Value for money
- Not as powerful as the Apollo pit bike
- Can be challenging to assemble and set up
Powered by a 110cc gas engine and having a top speed of around 40 mph, this small Tao Tao pit bike is simple, rugged, and fun. The Tao Tao dirt bike features 14 inch and 12-inch front and rear wheels, and a 4-stroke engine type. It uses a sequential transmission and chain drive and offers over 11 inches of ground clearance, plus hydraulic disc brakes front and rear. Keep in mind that the Tao Tao dirt bike’s maximum speed of 40 mph may vary mostly depending on the road condition and the rider’s weight.
A mini dirt bike that’s at home on trails as well as on the track, this bargain-priced pit bike is aimed at ages 12- adult and has enough load capacity for fully grown people. While generally easy to ride as most pit bikes are, thanks to its small size and maneuverability, the Tao Tao pit bike is not as easy to assemble as the Apollo pit bike DB-X18 (our #2 pick.) And when you need to perform work on these bikes, make sure you invest in the best motorcycle lift. Another great option is the Pitster Pro XJR 110 Dirt Bike, which is compact and has a manual 4-speed transmission and kick start.
#4 Razor MX650 Electric Pit Bike
Award: BEST NON-GAS OPTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: This unique electric pit bike uses no gas and provides dirt trail fun for kids and adults alike with a 220-lb weight capacity.
- Legal for off road in all 50 US states
- Low maintenance, no gas electric power
- Hydraulic disc brakes
- 40 min battery life
- Lower top speed than the best 125cc pit bikes
One of the first electric pit bikes available, the Razor MX650 is powered by a 650W electric motor designed to roughly be equivalent to a 50cc gas engine. Unlike a gas engine, however, it produces no exhaust emissions, uses no premix oil, and is legal to operate off-road in all 50 states. It can handle a 220 lb weight capacity and is designed for teens and adults alike.
Especially if you live in California, this electric pit bike offers the convenience of not having to worry about state or local park regulations on noise and emissions. The downsides are mainly that it has a limited run time of around 40-minutes to an hour, compared to some gas pit bikes that can go for up to three hours on a tank. And while this bike isn’t electric, you’ll eventually need to upgrade it with one of the best motorcycle batteries. Be sure to also take a look at the X-PRO 140cc Adult Dirt/Pit Bike. This manual 4-speed transmission bike reaches a maximum speed of 52 miles per hour and comes in a variety of stylish trims. For extra control in case you run into rougher riding conditions, consider investing in a rear shock for additional support and comfort.
#5 Tao DB17 D125cc Pit Bike
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Award: BEST OFF-ROAD
WHY WE LIKE IT: A bargain-priced. rugged 125cc pit bike with CARB approval for off-road use in one of the more strict states, California.
- CARB approved for off road use in California
- 4-stroke engine
- Hydraulic front and rear disc brakes
- Heavier than the 110cc Tao Pit Bike
- Some technical “common sense” needed for assembly
This kick-start, 125cc pit bike is fun for kids and teenagers learning to ride a dirt bike and is tall enough that most adults can ride comfortably. Its 4-stroke air-cooled engine has plenty of power to scoot around the pits at your local motocross or kart track and with 13 inches of ground clearance, it’s ready for rugged trails, too.
Assembly requires basic hand tools and some familiarity with small gas-powered bikes is helpful. Once put together, this Tao pit bike provides a great learning platform for beginners looking to get into a 125cc dirt bike. Also, since you are in the mark for a new pit bike, make sure to check out the best ATV snow plows when winter arrives next. Though Gadget Review is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, we aim to deliver you objective and honest product reviews so that you can read about actual, good-quality products.
How We Decided
In order to bring you the best pit bikes for the money, we looked for 100cc and 110cc mini bikes that were easy for beginners to learn on, plus more advanced 125cc pit bikes.
Among the 125cc mini dirt bikes on the market, we limited our search to those with proven durability and easy maintenance. We also only included bikes with front and rear brakes, 4-stroke engines, and at least a 150-lb load capacity so adults can ride, too.
We looked for the best value among production pit bikes, children’s minibikes, and racing pit bikes by Apollo, Tao, and others, including the best Chinese pit bikes you can buy in the US. We only included bikes that shipped with all necessary parts and that met US safety standards for off-road use. CARB approval for off-road use in California was a bonus.
Best Pit Bikes Buyer’s Guide
Features to Consider
- Size
Children’s minibikes, with a seat height of about 28-30 inches are great for kids ages about 10 to 14 or so, and can usually accommodate adults, though if you have longer legs you might find it uncomfortable and somewhat comical-looking to ride one of these. For riding around the pits at a motorsports event, many prefer a taller bike like the Apollo pit bikes on our list. - Engine
The best pit bikes, in general, have 4-stroke, single-cylinder engines, similar to the engines found in 125cc karts and dirt bikes. Air-cooled and usually carburetor-fed, they run on 91 or 93 octane pump gas and don’t require pre-mix. If performance is a priority, look for at least 6 horsepower from a 125cc pit bike. - Suspension
While the old-school kids’ mini bikes have minimal suspension, production pit bikes often have front and rear shocks with significant travel for soaking up bumps and ruts. If you’re looking for the best pit bike for trails, look for at least 700 mm of suspension travel. - Speed Limiters
For safety, many pit bikes and mini bikes these days come with speed governors that limit engine speed in top gear, usually capping the bike at 40 or 45 mph. - Tires
For riding on trails, look for pit bikes with knobby, wide mud tires. If you’re mainly looking to ride on dirt tracks, however, or around the pits of your local motocross or rallycross course, a tire set with tread like a traditional dirt bike may be better.
