JTSpeedDemon
2019 Build Off Winner!
So I was at a friends house today, and I got to ride their kart and minibike(two other bikes, a Doodlebug in pieces, and a Baja Warrior buried in the garage, but we didn't get to ride them).
The minibike was a Monster Moto 80, with a SMOKIN' 2 HP!!
Even though my dad won't let me have a minibike, I took this chance to ride one. First time ever, so I decided to share my first impressions.
I gotta say: for only 2 HP, it scooted pretty well! Better than a 2 HP kart due to less weight and rotational mass. Takeoff was a little slow, but after kicking along a bit, it got up to a comfortable governed top speed of about 20-25 MPH! The brakes worked great(I think they were hydraulic).
As I expected I would, it felt a little scary leaning every time I wanted to make a turn, as it didn't handle as well as my bicycle.
On the topic of handling, the forks don't turn that much, maybe a 1/4 of a turn! It was a little scary, but by leaning and turning the forks to the max I got a respectable turning circle.
And as I expected, the twist throttle wasn't comfortable to me, having my wrist down wasn't that comfortable, and since it was low power, I was in that position almost the whole time.
So overall, I think mini bikes are fun and cool, but even with a high power one, I'd rather have a kart.
PS - Their kart was an old bodied kart with a Dr Pepper NASCAR body(love the drink), that they had transplanted a Predator 212 non hemi onto.
I was not impressed with the Predator. The pull start felt heavy and dull, and the engine never ran right. I suspect a dirty carb, but it always wanted a little choke. I know this was just this particular engine, but anyways. And the 212 was physically much larger than a Briggs.
I could get full speed out of it, but only by gassing it, then flipping off the choke. With the stock jackshaft and gearing, top speed was maybe 18 MPH.
In short, I'll stick to Briggs-powered karts! Glad I got to experience Predators and minibikes though.
The minibike was a Monster Moto 80, with a SMOKIN' 2 HP!!
Even though my dad won't let me have a minibike, I took this chance to ride one. First time ever, so I decided to share my first impressions.
I gotta say: for only 2 HP, it scooted pretty well! Better than a 2 HP kart due to less weight and rotational mass. Takeoff was a little slow, but after kicking along a bit, it got up to a comfortable governed top speed of about 20-25 MPH! The brakes worked great(I think they were hydraulic).
As I expected I would, it felt a little scary leaning every time I wanted to make a turn, as it didn't handle as well as my bicycle.
On the topic of handling, the forks don't turn that much, maybe a 1/4 of a turn! It was a little scary, but by leaning and turning the forks to the max I got a respectable turning circle.
And as I expected, the twist throttle wasn't comfortable to me, having my wrist down wasn't that comfortable, and since it was low power, I was in that position almost the whole time.
So overall, I think mini bikes are fun and cool, but even with a high power one, I'd rather have a kart.
PS - Their kart was an old bodied kart with a Dr Pepper NASCAR body(love the drink), that they had transplanted a Predator 212 non hemi onto.
I was not impressed with the Predator. The pull start felt heavy and dull, and the engine never ran right. I suspect a dirty carb, but it always wanted a little choke. I know this was just this particular engine, but anyways. And the 212 was physically much larger than a Briggs.
I could get full speed out of it, but only by gassing it, then flipping off the choke. With the stock jackshaft and gearing, top speed was maybe 18 MPH.
In short, I'll stick to Briggs-powered karts! Glad I got to experience Predators and minibikes though.