Kids' Pit Bikes, Mini Bikes & Go Karts · Type

Mini Bikes: Gas, Electric and How to Read the Listing

A mini bike is a small, low motorbike with a short frame, small wheels and a simple engine or motor, made for off-road riding on private land. Most are gas. This page lists every mini bike we track on Amazon US, highest stated rider weight limit first, and explains each spec in plain words. My tía calls every one of them "the little motorcycle." She's right about both words.

A small generic mini bike on its kickstand outside an open garage, with a helmet on the seat and gloves and a manual on the workbench.

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14 models
Mini bikes & pocket bikes
ModelEngineTop speedMax rider weightTransmissionAmazon
Trailmaster Storm 200Mini bikes & pocket bikes
More specs
Brakes
rear disclisting
EPA / CARB note
NOT CA CARB-compliantlisting
196 cclisting—200 lblisting—Check price
MotoTec Wild RoverMini bikes & pocket bikes
More specs
Starter
Pulllisting
Tire size
14"listing
Power
2-strokelisting
49 cclisting22 mphlisting130 lblisting—Check price
MotoTec Wild RoverMini bikes & pocket bikes
More specs
Starter
Pulllisting
Tire size
14"listing
Power
2-strokelisting
49 cclisting22 mphlisting130 lblisting—Check price
MotoTec GT 49ccMini bikes & pocket bikes
More specs
Power
2-strokelisting
49 cclisting———Check price
MotoTec PhantomMini bikes & pocket bikes
More specs
Brakes
front and rear disclisting
Power
2-strokelisting
49 cclisting——Automatic (centrifugal clutch)listingCheck price
MotoTec MT-MiniBike-105ccMini bikes & pocket bikes
105 cclisting———Check price
MotoTec Bandit 52ccMini bikes & pocket bikes
More specs
Power
2-strokelisting
52 cclisting———Check price
MotoTec 60v 1500w Electric Mini Bike LithiumMini bikes & pocket bikes
More specs
Motor power
1,500 Wlisting
Battery voltage
60 Vlisting
Power
Electriclisting
—28 mphlisting——Check price
MotoTec Trailcross 200ccMini bikes & pocket bikes
More specs
Power
4-strokelisting
200 cclisting40 mphlisting——Check price
MotoTec Trailcross 200ccMini bikes & pocket bikes
More specs
Power
4-strokelisting
200 cclisting40 mphlisting——Check price
MotoTec UrchinMini bikes & pocket bikes
More specs
Tire size
11"listing
Power
2-strokelisting
49 cclisting——AutomaticlistingCheck price
Trailmaster MB200X HurricaneMini bikes & pocket bikes
More specs
Brakes
front and rear hydraulic disclisting
Tire size
19x7-8listing
EPA / CARB note
NOT CA CARB-compliantlisting
Suspension
Front + rearlisting
196 cclisting——Torque converter / CVTlistingCheck price
Trailmaster MB200Mini bikes & pocket bikes
More specs
Brakes
rear disclisting
EPA / CARB note
NOT CA CARB-compliantlisting
Suspension
Front + rearlisting
196 cclisting——Torque converter / CVTlistingCheck price
Trailmaster Hurricane 200ProMini bikes & pocket bikes
More specs
Starter
Electriclisting
Brakes
front and rear hydraulic disclisting
Tire size
19x7-8listing
Suspension
Front + rearlisting
196 cclisting——Torque converter / CVTlistingCheck price

What’s in this listEvery gas and electric mini bike we track on Amazon US, highest stated rider weight limit first. “—” means neither the maker nor the Amazon listing states it.

What a mini bike is

A mini bike is the smallest, simplest kind of motorbike. Picture a low tube frame, a seat, handlebars and two small, wide wheels, with a small engine bolted in the middle. There's usually no bodywork to speak of, and many have no clutch lever and no gears to shift.

That simplicity is the whole appeal. A mini bike is a first motorbike for a lot of families, and a backyard project bike for a lot of grown-ups. It isn't street legal, and it isn't a dirt bike. A pit bike or a kids' dirt bike has taller suspension, bigger wheels and a riding position built for rough ground. A mini bike sits lower and asks less of the rider.

Our table holds 14 listings from two makers, MotoTec and Trailmaster. Two models show up twice under different listings with the same specs, so there are 12 distinct bikes. Two makers is simply what our tracking found, not a choice on my part.

The table is sorted by stated rider weight limit, highest first. Only two listings give one, so most of the order after that is the data's order. A dash in the table means the listing didn't state that field. I don't fill blanks with guesses.

Gas or electric: the first fork in the road

Most mini bikes are gas. In our data, 11 of the 12 models list an engine size in cc, which is engine size in cubic centimeters. One is electric: a MotoTec bike with a 60 V battery and a 1,500 W motor, with a listed top speed of 28 mph.

Here's how the two kinds split in daily life.

Gas engines in our table come in two designs. A 2-stroke mixes oil into the fuel. A 4-stroke keeps its oil separate, like a car. Five MotoTec models list 2-stroke engines between 49 and 52 cc. The MotoTec Trailcross 200cc lists a 4-stroke. The four Trailmaster models all list 196 cc, and the data doesn't state the stroke type for them.

At the shop where I work, a 2-stroke fuel question is the most common question I get that has nothing to do with a broken part. The answer is always the same: the mix ratio is in the owner's manual for that exact engine. Not on a forum, not on a different bike's sticker.

What to look at on a mini bike listing

Rider weight limit: the number most listings skip

Only two listings in our data give a rider weight limit. The Trailmaster Storm 200 lists 200 lb. The MotoTec Wild Rover lists 130 lb.

That doesn't mean the other bikes have no limit. It means the listing we read didn't print one. The owner's manual will. Get that number before you buy, and check it against the rider today, not the rider next summer.

Brakes: read this line before the engine line

This is my one strong opinion on this page. On a mini bike, the brake line tells you more than the engine line.

The reason is right there in the data. Brakes on these listings run from a single rear disc on the Trailmaster Storm 200 and MB200, to front and rear discs on the MotoTec Phantom, to front and rear hydraulic discs on the Trailmaster MB200X Hurricane and Hurricane 200Pro. That's a real spread. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation teaches kids to use both brakes together, with even pressure, for smooth stops. A bike with brakes front and rear gives a rider two to use.

Many listings don't name the brakes at all. If the brake type isn't on the listing, ask for the manual before you think about anything else.

Engine size and listed top speed

Engines in our data run from 49 cc to 200 cc. The 49 and 52 cc bikes are the small 2-stroke class. The 105 cc MotoTec sits in the middle. The 196 cc Trailmasters and the 200 cc MotoTec Trailcross are the big end.

Three listings give a top speed: 22 mph for the MotoTec Wild Rover, 28 mph for the electric MotoTec and 40 mph for the Trailcross 200cc. Read a top speed as a fact about the machine, not a goal for the rider. A bigger engine doesn't make a bike a better first bike. Match the bike to the rider's size and the maker's limits, not to what they'll want in two years.

Transmission: automatic, CVT or not stated

Most mini bikes don't make the rider shift. The MotoTec Phantom lists an automatic transmission with a centrifugal clutch. That means there's no clutch lever. The bike engages as the engine speeds up and lets go as it slows down. The MotoTec Urchin lists an automatic.

Three Trailmaster models list a torque converter, or CVT. A CVT is a belt-driven automatic that changes its ratio smoothly instead of in steps. To the rider, it works like an automatic: twist to go, brake to stop.

Theo's take, from across the loop: "A mini bike with no clutch lever is a game with a one-page rulebook. Fewer rules to learn means more attention left for the brakes." He teaches seventh-grade math. He reduces everything to a fraction or a rulebook eventually.

Suspension: three bikes list it

Three Trailmaster models list front and rear suspension: the MB200, the MB200X Hurricane and the Hurricane 200Pro. The rest of the table doesn't state any.

Suspension soaks up bumps so the wheels stay on the ground. On a smooth, flat practice field it matters less. On a bumpy field it matters more. If you're searching for a mini bike with suspension, those three are the ones our data can confirm.

Start type: pull or button

The MotoTec Wild Rover lists a pull start, like a lawn mower. The Trailmaster Hurricane 200Pro lists an electric start, which is a button. Most other listings don't say.

Either way, the starting should be done by an adult. The MSF says starting and refueling should be done by responsible adults only. That makes the pull cord an adult's job anyway, so don't buy an electric start for the kid's sake. Buy it for your shoulder.

Wheel size

Three listings give a wheel or tire size. The Wild Rover lists 14 in and the Urchin lists 11 in. The Trailmaster Hurricane models list tires sized 19x7-8, which is how off-road tires are labeled: height, then a width, then the rim size, in inches. Bigger, taller tires roll over ruts more easily. Smaller ones keep the bike low.

The California note

Three Trailmaster listings in our data, the Storm 200, the MB200 and the MB200X Hurricane, say "NOT CA CARB-compliant." CARB is the California Air Resources Board. It says off-highway recreational vehicles sold in California, model year 1998 and later, must be certified by CARB. If you live in California, read the listing for this note before anything else. If it's there, the bike isn't for you.

Which kind of mini bike fits your family

Here's how the 12 models sort out by the specs their listings state.

If you want suspension and hydraulic disc brakes at both ends, the MB200X Hurricane and Hurricane 200Pro are the only two in our data that list both. If you want the lowest-key setup, a small 2-stroke with an automatic is the simplest machine here. It still needs the full kit of gear and an adult watching.

Bay Three has one shelf just for owner's manuals. It's the only shelf in the garage nobody fights me for.

Before the first ride

The MSF's parent booklet is the best plain-language guide I know for this. Some of it, in short:

  1. Read the owner's manual yourself first. You'll be the teacher, coach and safety supervisor.
  2. Check fit. The rider should hold the bike up and sit with both feet on the ground.
  3. Practice the controls with the engine off: brakes, throttle, the engine stop switch.
  4. Pick a level practice area about 100 by 200 feet, dirt or grass, with no rocks, stumps or holes. Never concrete or asphalt.
  5. Walk next to the bike for the first rides.

The engine stop switch deserves its own minute. The MSF has the rider practice it with the engine off, then use it with the engine running. Every rider should know how to shut the bike off without looking for it.

A small rider in full gear sits on a mini bike with both feet on the ground while an adult stands beside the bike in a flat dirt field.

Mini bike safety: gear, supervision and where to ride

Riders need a properly fitted helmet made for motorized riding, plus gloves, boots, eye protection and long sleeves and pants. Follow the maker's age, height and weight limits, and keep an adult watching every ride.

The CPSC's helmet chart lists a motocross or motorcycle helmet for dirt- and mini-bike riding. A bicycle helmet isn't made for it. The CPSC also says to avoid novelty and toy helmets made only to look like the real thing. The MSF says never to let anyone ride without a DOT-compliant motorcycle helmet that fits snug but not tight, fastened every time.

The MSF also says direct supervision by an experienced adult is needed at all times, even after a young rider learns the basics. The AAP's HealthyChildren.org page on ATVs makes a point that fits here too: just watching won't prevent a crash. Rules, gear and a fitted machine do the work.

Rules for riding mini bikes, pit bikes and go karts vary by state and town. Check yours, and ride only where it's allowed. Stay off public roads.

Fuel and exhaust

Refuel outdoors with the engine off and cool, and store fuel in an approved container away from the house. Never run an engine in a garage or any closed space.

The CPSC says to store gas cans in a cool, well-ventilated place, never inside the house or basement, and out of kids' reach. Buy a child-resistant can and put the cap back on after every use. On exhaust, the CPSC warns that opening doors and windows or running fans isn't enough to make a gasoline engine safe indoors.

For the electric bike: charge with the charger that came with it, on a hard surface, and follow the maker's charging instructions.

Who should skip a mini bike

Skip a mini bike if your rider hasn't ridden a bicycle without training wheels yet. The MSF's readiness checklist looks for balance and coordination you can already see on a bicycle or skateboard. Skip it if the helmet, gloves, boots and goggles aren't in the budget yet. Skip a gas model if nobody in the house wants to store fuel, start the engine and stand at the edge of the field every ride. No legal riding spot yet? Then the bike can wait too.

If your rider has outgrown the small end of this table, look at pit bikes. For a first engine in the smallest class, the 50cc dirt bikes list is a close neighbor. If four wheels suit your family better, the go karts page covers those.

Read the brakes, then the engine. In that order.

Head to head

Coleman vs Massimo mini bike

Both companies list gas mini bikes on Amazon US, per the brand data we keep, but neither has a mini bike in this table at our last check, so we have no specs to set side by side. Compare any two mini bikes the same way: rider weight limit, brakes, suspension, transmission and start type, from the listing or the owner's manual. If a field is blank on one listing, ask before you buy.

Brands in this list

Related

Questions people ask

How do you start a mini bike?

Follow the owner's manual for that exact bike, and have an adult do the starting. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation's memory aid for small off-highway bikes is FINE-C: fuel valve on, ignition on, neutral (if the bike has gears), engine stop switch to run, choke on for a cold engine only. Then pull or press the starter. Let the engine warm up until it runs smoothly with the choke off.

Is a gas or electric mini bike better for a kid?

It depends on the household. A gas mini bike needs fuel storage, an adult to refuel and start it, and an outdoor spot to run. An electric one needs charging and has no exhaust. Our table has one electric model, a MotoTec 60 V, 1,500 W bike with a listed top speed of 28 mph. Fit, gear and supervision matter more than the power source.

Which mini bikes have suspension?

Three in our data list front and rear suspension, all from Trailmaster: the MB200, the MB200X Hurricane and the Hurricane 200Pro. The other listings don't state suspension, which doesn't prove they have none. It means the listing we read didn't say. If suspension matters to you, check the full listing or the maker's manual before you buy.

What age is a mini bike for?

None of the mini bike listings in our data states a rider age, so we can't give one. Ask the seller for the owner's manual before you buy. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation adds a fit test: the rider should be able to hold the bike up, sit with both feet touching the ground, and reach and work every control.

Can I buy a mini bike in California?

Check the listing first. Three Trailmaster listings in our data say the bike is "NOT CA CARB-compliant." CARB is the California Air Resources Board. It says off-highway recreational vehicles sold in California, model year 1998 and later, must be certified by CARB. A listing that says it isn't compliant is telling California buyers to look elsewhere.

Sources

  1. Motorcycle Safety Foundation: Parents, Youngsters & Off-Highway Motorcycles — accessed 2026-10-23
  2. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Which Helmet for Which Activity? — accessed 2026-10-23
  3. HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics): ATV Safety Rules — accessed 2026-10-23
  4. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Fuel Container, Gasoline and Other Liquid Fuel Safety — accessed 2026-10-23
  5. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: CPSC and FEMA Warn About Carbon Monoxide From Gasoline-Powered Generators Indoors — accessed 2026-10-23
  6. California Air Resources Board: On- and Off-Road Motorcycle Certification Enforcement Program — accessed 2026-10-23