As a way of introducing your child to the world of motor sport, the mini moto bike is a difficult opening gambit to beat. The concepts which make motorcycling what it is, and as popular as it is, are introduced by these machines, which are a way of getting your child to learn the basics and principles of the sport at an age when they legally and in most cases physically cannot ride a full-sized motorbike. There is a lot assumed about mini motos - but what is the real deal with them, and what are the reasons why they are so popular?

A mini moto is typically used on private land, with the permission of the landowner. They can be road legal for riders over sixteen years of age, but the age restrictions for off-road use are less prohibitive, with children as young as twelve capable of riding them. You should always make sure there is a responsible adult available to supervise children riding mini motos, and that they have the appropriate safety gear because, as we all know, the early stages of riding any kind of two-wheel vehicle are rarely without their spills.

The bikes themselves have a handling and powering system based very faithfully on those of full-sized motorbikes, making them an ideal way for the young rider to learn the ropes of motorcycle sport - from technique to technical specs, and from safety to skill. Due to their specifications, very few of these machines are street legal, with the emphasis being on riding on private land to learn the way and to enjoy the feeling of moving at greater speed than usual.

Many of the bikes go no faster than 30 miles per hour, so despite the accusations of danger often levelled at mini motos, the truth is they are often no more dangerous than a typical pedal bicycle. The major difference, and the most enjoyable aspect for children, that sets these bikes apart from pedal bikes is the use of an engine. It's not a powerful engine, generally being no stronger than a four-stroke driven by a chain, but the power isn't important. The main thing that sells these bikes is that they are a step up between typical pedal bikes and the motorcycles that have always been hugely popular.

The important issue of safety should not be pushed to one side even considering the above. It is important to realise that even at 10 miles per hour, a crash can be dangerous and at the very least enormously painful. Momentum can do some damage, and this is why if you are looking to buy your child a mini moto, you should also be ready to pay for the correct gear to guarantee your child's safety. This is not limited to a crash helmet. You should also make sure to buy knee and shin pads, and ideally racing leathers too - when coming off a bike the rider is likely to slide some distance, causing what can be enormously painful friction.

Author: Gen Wright

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