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It costs a lot of money if you want to have fun off-roading. You’d have to add many more zeros if you want to be competitive in a race series. Or would you? Pit bikes are one of the most affordable ways to have fun off-road and arguably the most cost-effective form of motorcycle racing. Better yet, pit bikes are accessible for novice and experienced riders alike.
Of course, you can get a race-ready monster that wouldn’t be suitable for a novice rider, but you can also get a 70-cc semi-automatic that’ll create everlasting memories for the child who learns to ride on it. The pit bike market is vast, and there’s something for most riders, so let’s dive in.
Summary List
- Pitster Pro FSE 190R
- X-Pro 140-cc
- Thumpstar TSR 140-C
- Apollo DB-X18 125 cc
- Honda’s CRF 110F
- SSR SR70C
Our Methodology
To choose the best pit bikes on the market, I employed The Drive’s comprehensive research methodology and evaluated dozens of bikes before choosing the top contenders. Although I haven’t personally tested these products, my selection is informed by consumer testimonials, expert reviews, discussions on relevant online forums, and my institutional knowledge of motorcycles. I also visited the Pitbike subreddit to get a more informed opinion of what riders felt about the bikes on the market.
Some brands are already well established in this niche, and priority was given to their products. However, other lesser-known brands were also evaluated. The main features taken into consideration were engine size, power output, suspension, chassis, brakes, extra features, price, reliability, and durability. Bikes I found to be unreliable were disregarded.
Best Pit Bike Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall
Pitster Pro FSE 190R
Pros
- 187-cc 18-horsepower engine
- Progressive linkage rear suspension
- Sports exhaust system
- Fully adjustable suspension
- 148 pounds
Cons
- Pricey
Specs
- Make Pitster Pro
- Model FSE 190R
- Engine size 187.2cc
Best Value
X-Pro 140cc Pit Bike
Pros
- Great value for money
- Hydraulic disc brakes
- 140-cc engine
Cons
- Basic suspension
- Not as reliable as high-end models
Specs
- Make X-Pro
- Model DB-T011
- Engine size 140 cc
Honorable Mention
Thumpstar TSR 140-C
Pros
- 140-cc 11-horsepower engine
- Four-speed manual
- Pipe Bomb 2.0 exhaust
- Progressive linkage rear suspension
- Waterproof electrics
Cons
- Pricey
Specs
- Make Thumpstar
- Model TSR 140-C
- Engine size 140 cc
Best Value 125-cc Pit Bike
Apollo DB-X18 125cc
Pros
- Great value for money
- 55 miles per hour top speed
- Hydraulic disc brakes
Cons
- Basic suspension
- Build quality could be better
Specs
- Make Apollo
- Model DB-X18
- Engine size 125 cc
Best 110-cc Pit Bike
Honda CRF110F
Pros
- Extremely reliable
- Durable
- Electronic fuel-injected engine
- Lots of aftermarket parts available
Cons
- Not a lot of power on tap
BEST FOR KIDS
SSR SR70C
Pros
- Easy to learn on
- Four-speed semi-automatic transmission
- Safety kill switch
- Front and rear hydraulic disc brakes
Cons
- Not suitable for adults
Our Verdict on the Best Pit Bikes
I’ve chosen the Pitster Pro FSE 190R as the best overall pit bike. Put simply, this is one of the most high-end and powerful pit bikes on the market and comes from one of the biggest names in the industry. If you’re on a tight budget and looking for relatively inexpensive thrills, check out my value pick, the X-Pro 140-cc Pit Bike.
Consider Secondhand
When we start shopping for tools and products, we never overlook the secondhand market. In fact, it’s usually the first place I look. Whether you’re scrolling through Amazon’s Renewed section, eBay for car parts or tools, or flipping through the pages of Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist, you have hundreds of thousands of used tools, parts, and gear ready to be shipped to your doorstep. Refurbished to like-new status, they’ll be willing to give you many more years of faithful service all while saving you money.
If those options don’t have what you need, your local salvage yard is great for parts, while swap meets are a great resource you should tap. Just Google either and head on down.
Secondhand Tips
To make your secondhand search easier, here are two tips to finding the best deals and making sure your new-to-you stuff wasn’t destroyed by the previous owner.
- Before riding, make sure the chain has the right amount of slack, the forks aren’t leaking oil, there’s life left in the brake pads, the tires aren’t bald, and the bike doesn’t show any signs of major damage.
- If the bike is in good condition, it should start easily and idle smoothly once it has warmed up. Take it for a ride and shift up and down through the gears to make sure the transmission is in good working order.
What to Consider When Buying a Pit Bike
For a 140-cc pit bike, the price can vary by as much as $2,000, depending on what brand you choose. The engine, chassis, suspension, brakes, exhaust, and frame all play a part in determining a bike’s overall cost. If you’re looking for something to mess around on in your backyard, there’s no point spending extra money on bikes that have premium parts. But, if you ride on pit-bike tracks or tricky trails with your friends, paying more for a high-end bike could be worth it.
Pit Bike Key Features
Powertrain
The first thing you’ll need to consider when choosing a pit bike is what size engine you want. You can get twist-and-go pit bikes with a 60-cc engine or a 190-cc bike with a five-speed manual transmission and everything in between. Consider who’ll use the bike and where it’ll be ridden. If you ride over relatively rough terrain and steep inclines, then you’ll need a bike that has at least a 110-cc engine. If you want to teach a child to ride, then a bike with a 70-cc engine and four-speed semi-automatic transmission is a great option.
Suspension
Practically all pit bikes have front and rear suspension, but on the lower end of the price spectrum the components are basic and not adjustable. If you want to hit jumps and ride quickly over rough terrain, it’s worth investing in a bike with good suspension. Look for bikes that have inverted front forks and compression and rebound adjustability. If you want good rear suspension, make sure the spring is fully adjustable in terms of compression and rebound. At the highest end of the market, pit bikes will have a rear linkage system that you can use to maximize the progression ratio as the shock compresses.
Extra Features
Premium pit bikes will have some features that come standard, and these are features that will make the difference for serious off-road enthusiasts but won’t be necessary for everyone. Look out for bikes that have upgraded carburetors and exhaust systems, as these are usually the first things people upgrade when they want more power and a more responsive engine. Folding levers and a skid plate are also worth considering if your bike will take a real trashing, but not a necessity on a small-engined bike for learners.
Pricing
You can pick up a pit bike for less than $1,000 with basic suspension and brakes but be fine for backyard antics. If you spend between $1,000 and $2,300, you can expect a bike with all the features you need to take it to a track and a maximum engine size of 160 cc. Spending between $2,500 to $3,800 can get you a race-ready bike with a 160-cc to 190-cc engine.
FAQs
You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.
Pit bikes have much smaller frames than motocross bikes and often have 14-inch front and 12-inch rear wheels, although some have 17-inch front and 14-inch rear wheels. The engines of pit bikes range from 50 to 190 cc. These bikes were originally made for riding around the pits at motocross tracks, hence the name.
Pit bikes from the factory are not street legal. However, you can make a couple of alterations to make these bikes legal in certain states. Some of the things you need to add to make a pit bike street legal are lights, turn signals, a horn, a license plate, and DOT-approved tires.
Some pit bikes are intended for children, and some are made for teenagers and adults. Generally speaking, a 110-cc pit bike can be used by children who already know how to ride and still provide some fun for adults.
