Video: Pit bikes tested

With mini off-road pit bikes goriwng in popularity and gaining their own race series, we were invited by the importers of the White Knuckle range to test their latest bikes.
Currently most importers and race organisers cater for the 10” wheel size bikes, but not only are 12” versions available, but Fast Toys Ltd has just taken delivery of a 14” prototype, alongside the latest Quadzilla Quad range and full-sized 300cc trail bikes. To see how easy it is for a fully grown adult to enjoy the bikes, Used Bikes Editor Angus Farquhar volunteered, with Products Editor Dan Thornton as our child-sized tester.

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Farquhar began the day on the existing White Knuckle WK 125cc Alumini Pro, which features a four speed manual gearbox, an aluminium frame, and MX-style swingarm, with 12” alloy wheels and a seat heigh of 70cm.
“It’s a great introduction to off-road riding and brillant fun for messing around on. It wheelies from a standstill, so a bit of clutch control is needed,” said Farquhar. “It even stood up to repeated landings from the jumps at the track, but the short wheelbase and the wheel size didn’t inspire as much confidence as the larger version. On the plus side, the seight height is lower, and it weighs just 58Kg”
The 14” wheeled version is almost identical, but does feature a longer motocross swing arm. This was instantly the choice for hitting the bigger jumps, which were designed to launch quad bikes into the air, let alone the smaller pit bikes.
“If you’re planning to race at the moment, or want to mess around, the 12” is a good choice, but for budding motocross riders, the bigger wheels and longer swingarm make a huge difference when you’re landing jumps,” said Thornton. “It also helps it stay slightly more stable over ruts and bumps, and means it can cope with deeper ruts without getting stuck or following them like tramlines. The 125cc version is certainly quick enough… I barely touched third gear.
“They’re not road legal, but if you can get to a track or find a legal place to ride, they’re great fun, and at under a grand, they’re cheaper than a small motocross bike to get your kids into off-roading and racing. And there’s no subsitute to starting early when it comes to riding on dirt.”
Both bikes were kick start only, which might mean some lessons in starting for younger riders, but it also gives mums and dads the chance to go for a ‘test ride’ each time. And a smaller 110cc engine, and steel framed versions are available to lower the prices even more.
And after an hour of riding, without the need to refuel, our testers were happy to hand the White Knuckles over to employees of the firm to show how having your own track can improve your riding.

The White Knuckle 110cc minibike (not tested) is available for £799, while the WK125 Alumini Pro costs £999. No price has been set for the 14″ version. Contact: 01507-522900.