If you haven’t tried Pit Biking yet, you’re missing out on some incredible fun, and it won’t break the bank. The majority of pit bikes are of Chinese origin and I guess, are best described as modern day monkey bikes. Yes Chinese, and I’ve witnessed them being thrashed round all day long without missing a beat, so Jonny Wong and co. are finally getting there on quality and reliability!
Although Pit Bikes are designed for off road use, an extra few hundred quid spent on matching up wheels, fitting tarmac tyres and some crash protection will mean you’re track ready for a total of around £600. I like the fact you have some proper race track excitement (including the odd crash) but there is very little cleaning or maintenance involved.
There are already race series in place but we’re having a blast just hooking up with our friends at local kart tracks (indoor and outdoor) where we ride all day for twenty quid. Stomp, Demon X and Thumpstar seem to be the most popular bikes (all four-strokes) but I’ve seen a few Honda CRF50s fitted with bigger Chinese engines and even a modified KTM 65 two-stroke crosser. As ever, there are plenty of suspension, tuning and chassis mods to investigate but nothing I’ve seen is particularly expensive.
We have a Demon X Mini Pit with an 110cc engine which is fine; however, the 160cc engine is probably the best all round option if you want to ride at some of the longer outdoor tracks. We’ve been having some great craic at the Kurburgring near Mansfield (indoor) and Parkwood Karting in Sheffield (outdoor) but we’re soon off to Stretton and Whilton Mill when the temperature rises a few degrees. I’m hooked!
