Where Did Those Pit Bikes Come From?

Pit bikes - those tiny motorcycles that are also called mini bikes - began as transportation in the off-track areas of race tracks. Both auto racing and motocross used pit bikes.

The first true pit bikes were probably Schwinn Sting Ray bicycles. People rode bikes in the pit areas before that, but they weren't cool enough to actually be pit bikes. There wasn't a cool bike until the Sting Ray came along, and it was immediately adopted by the racing community.

Early motorized pit bikes were not much more than a small scooter with a pull-start Briggs and Stratton motor attached. They were faster than a Sting Ray, but not nearly as cool.

When the 50cc Honda motorcycles were introduced, they were cool enough to replace the Sting Ray as a favorite pit bike.

The first real modern pit bike was a Honda Z50 mini trail bike. They were perfect - fast, made for off road travel, and small enough to fit into the trailer with the rest of the pit gear.

Today, pit bikes have their own racing venues in track and off road competitions. Pit bike racing is one of the fastest growing sports in America.

These are not cute little kiddie bikes. Stock engines achieve speeds up to 50 miles per hour, and, of course, pit bike owners rarely ride anything stock; they have to tweak and modify and customize. Pit bike racing is an adult sport; not recommended for kids under the age of 12 or so.

All those pit bikes came from the racing world, and that's where you'll find them today.