Pitbike is a type of mini-motorcycle that is well known to all motocross fans. This type of transport has gained universal popularity due to its many advantages. It is quite compact, maneuverable, easy to operate, safe and reliable. This type of mini-motorcycle can be used by both teenagers and adult riders weighing up to 130 kg.
Even children can ride a pit bike
A pit bike is an excellent alternative to a classic motorcycle. It is more budget-friendly, can accelerate quickly and does not require registration with the traffic police or a driver’s license. In addition, a huge selection of models and a large number of manufacturers allows you to find a suitable mini-motorcycle for a rider of any age, height and build. The same applies to its cost.
The cost range for a pit bike is almost 90 thousand rubles. Budget models can be purchased for only 30 thousand, while more expensive motorbikes will cost 100-120 thousand rubles. It all depends on the configuration, engine power, and manufacturer’s brand.
Many people call the pit bike the predecessor of the motorcycle, since it is on it that one learns the characteristics of riding and maneuvering on different road surfaces. It’s not for nothing that its second name among riders is a motocross motorcycle.
Most models on the market are presented in the following categories:
- urban;
- sports;
- teenage.
Young racers
Based on the volume of the internal combustion engine, motorbikes are divided into 3 groups:
- low-power;
- medium power;
- powerful.
The first group most often includes children's pit bikes (up to 110 cubic meters). The volume of internal combustion engines of the second group (medium-power) ranges from 125 to 140 cubic meters. Such models can be purchased for both adults and teenagers. Powerful motocross motorcycles are designed for racing and motocross, as well as for performing various stunts. The volume of the internal combustion engines of such units starts from 160 and reaches 250 cubic meters. They are intended for use by adult, experienced riders in off-road or rough terrain.
A number of manufacturers produce children's pit bikes that have extended safety requirements. Children's models are even more compact. They are usually equipped with a 4-stroke engine with a capacity of 49 to 110 cc. You can drive a children's motocross motorcycle from the age of 9.
Adult pit bike
Do children need pit bike licenses? Of course not. Firstly, a driver's license to operate a motorcycle can only be obtained after reaching 16 years of age. Secondly, a pit bike is not a motorcycle. It does not belong to vehicles at all, but belongs to the category of sports equipment.
Despite this, pit bikes can boast of fairly powerful engines (up to 250 cc) and the ability to easily accelerate to 100 km/h. In this regard, many are asking a reasonable question: do you need a license for a pit bike if it can match the speed of popular motorcycle models.
First, it is necessary to clarify that according to the traffic rules, to drive any vehicle (vehicle), you must have a driver’s license of a certain category. You can get it by passing the appropriate exam at the traffic police. And here a reasonable question arises: do you need licenses for a pit bike in Russia? Indeed, according to the definition fixed in the Code of Administrative Offenses, a vehicle implies the presence of an internal combustion engine with a volume of more than 50 cm³. In some models, the engine capacity does not exceed 49 cubic meters.
What licenses do you need for a pit bike?
The answer to this question depends on the engine size:
- If the engine capacity does not exceed 50 cc. cm, and the maximum speed is up to 50 km/h, then a car license or category M license is suitable.
- If the engine capacity of a pit bike is 125 cubic meters or more, then a category A motorcycle license is required.
But remember that even if you have a license, your motorcycle can still be taken to the impound lot if you don’t have a technical passport and lighting equipment. In summer, motorcycles similar to pit bikes are stopped by traffic cops especially actively.
In the summer, traffic cops stop motorcycles similar to pit bikes especially actively.
Do you need a license for 125, 200 and 225 cc pit bikes?
In a situation where a pit bike is equipped with an engine larger than 50 cm³, for example, popular 125 cc models, many more questions arise. Such models, according to definition, can be classified as vehicles, which means that the need to obtain a driver’s license automatically arises.
So, do you need a license for a 125 cc pit bike? cm? Let's try to figure it out.
According to the technical characteristics of models with engines ranging from 125 to 225 cm³, they can be classified as vehicles, which means they must be registered with the traffic police. This is where the first pitfalls arise.
Registration includes the provision of a certain list of documents for the vehicle, one of which is the technical equipment passport (PTS). However, pit bikes do not have a title. When making a purchase, the new owner, in addition to the sales contract, receives only a service book and a warranty card. The absence of a PTS makes it impossible to register a pit bike with the traffic police.
However, some drivers try to obtain a technical passport for a pit bike on their own. Again, as practice shows, this is extremely difficult to do. To obtain a title, a pit bike must meet safety standards and have the appropriate equipment (turn signals, dimensions, speedometer). Only after equipping the vehicle with the appropriate paraphernalia can you try to issue a title for it. With this document, the rider has the opportunity not only to register the vehicle with the traffic police, but also to obtain a category A driver’s license.
Pitbike in the “natural environment”
Answering the question whether you need a license for a 250 cc pit bike or for 125 and 200 cc models, you can also say with confidence that no.
The last argument confirming this position is the Federal Law “On Road Traffic Safety”. According to it, a vehicle is a device whose purpose is to transport people and goods on public roads. However, according to technical documents, a pit bike belongs to the category of sports equipment not intended for use on the roads of the OP. That is, you don’t need a license to own it, but you can’t drive it on public roads either. But this type of transport is perfect for cross-country racing.
At what age can you ride a pit bike?
Due to its small size and lightness, the pit bike is very popular among teenagers. Often it is generally called children's and, with appropriate equipment, even 5-year-old children are allowed to ride.
Where you can ride a pit bike:
Children of any age can ride a pitbike on country roads, the main thing is that parents do not forget to monitor the child’s safety. The only thing is that motorcycles larger than 125 cc are more suitable for teenagers over 14 years old.
Only children over 16 years old can ride around the city on a pit bike up to 50cc (if they have the appropriate documents), if they have a license allowing them to drive a moped. On a larger capacity bike they can go on public roads only after 18 years of age and with an open motorcycle category in their license.
To obtain a license to drive a mini-motorcycle, you must attend a driving school according to the general rules and pass exams at the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate.
What is the fine for riding a pit bike without a license?
The Code of Administrative Offenses does not provide for fines for riding a pit bike without a license, however, there are cases when inspectors try to hold riders accountable on the following grounds:
- driving a vehicle in the absence of driving rights (fine up to 15 thousand rubles);
- driving a vehicle without a driver's license (fine 500 rubles);
- driving an unregistered vehicle (fine from 500 to 8,000 rubles).
The pit bike driver must understand that any of these accusations have no legal basis. Even if the traffic inspector draws up a report and a decision is made, the rider has every right to appeal it in court. With a clearly reasoned position, supported by articles of the Code of Administrative Offenses and Traffic Regulations, the court will side with the driver.
To summarize, we can say the following: in 2021, a pit bike license is not needed. Primarily due to the fact that this device is not a vehicle, but sports equipment.
How to officially get a title for a pit bike?
Any vehicle with an engine capacity of over 50 cubic meters must have a title when traveling on public roads. Initially, a pitbike is sports equipment and there is no technical passport for it; upon purchase, you are issued a receipt and an agreement, which states that the motorcycle is not intended for riding on public roads.
You can go through government certification, which will check your purchase documents, technical specifications, and whether the bike meets safety standards (i.e., whether it has all the necessary electronics, lights, and sounds).
The examination procedure is paid, plus you will have to invest heavily in installing all the equipment. However, after this you have absolutely no fear of problems with the law and meetings with traffic cops.
Rules for riding a pit bike
The physical condition of the driver must correspond to these parameters:
- Body weight less than 100 kg
- Both feet touch the ground
If the requirements match, the pit bike is suitable for you. Riding it will definitely be a joy for you. This is a racing motorcycle, only with more simplified characteristics - high handlebars, comfortable controls. For beginners - the best!
Vehicles must be fueled with A-92 gasoline. Filling is done directly into the tank. Mixing gasoline with oil is strictly prohibited. Otherwise, problems will arise with the motor, which will result in additional expenses.
Refueling a pit bike
Riding a pit bike on the road is relatively safe. Due to the minimization of the design, driving efforts are reduced to zero. Simple assembly, reliability and most importantly - controllability. There is no need to be afraid of skidding when turning or dangerous driving. It’s easy to keep an eye on the road, but this, of course, does not mean that you don’t need to watch it at all!
Also, do not overheat the engine; you should check the oil level with the vehicle in a level position. During the initial 35 hours of driving, you need to control all this - this is a conditional “test period”. Your habit should be to change gears in a timely manner and drive at different speeds. To begin with, the oil should be changed twice - after the first eighteen hours, the next - after thirty-five. The hours should be taken into account when driving.
What else can you do?
Getting around the ban on driving around the city is not entirely legal, but some have been driving this way for several years. Your pit bike could easily pass for a Chinese moped. Its small dimensions and engine dimensions are quite consistent with the dimensions of a moped. To do this you need:
- Find on the engine where the volume is knocked out and rub it in with a drill. It is necessary to completely smooth the surface so that not even traces of the inscription remain. Just in case, you can also erase the markings on the motor.
- Find a service book from any Chinese moped, in which the fields will not be filled in and there will be a stamp from the seller’s company. There must also be a receipt with the stated purchase amount.
- Make the pitbike look like a moped: install road tires, hang lights on the handlebars and place a brake light under the tail. Don't forget to always turn them on.
What can be done?
So it turns out that, apart from “children’s” models, pit bikes cannot ride on the highway. But the owners still circumvent the legislation, and in such a way that neither a license nor a passport is required. To do this, just rub over the stamp on the block head, indicating the engine size. The pit bike itself should be equipped with a light and sound alarm (a brake light and a front reflector or headlight are required), and road tires. A service book from a scooter or moped (any 50 cc vehicle) is also used.
That is, they document that a pit bike is made into a small-capacity unit, which is allowed for use on public roads without a license or a technical equipment passport.
Pit bikes in stock
How to behave on the road in the city?
If this is how you legalized your ride around the city on a pit bike, then remember that representatives of the law can still stop you and doubt your vehicle. Stand on the fact that this moped is so wonderful, what the Chinese don’t do.
- Be sure to wear a helmet, so the traffic police will have fewer reasons to stop you.
- Follow the traffic rules: stay in the far right lane, don’t drive drunk, don’t run red lights, etc.
- Try not to drive too hard, especially when passing traffic cops, drive at a speed of about 50 km/h.
Is a pit bike a vehicle? Can it be driven on the road?
Before you find out whether you need to obtain a driver's license (DR), you need to understand the characteristics of the pit bike itself. Let's start with the fact that it cannot be classified as a “vehicle”: the pit bike manufacturers themselves claim that this is sports equipment.
Accordingly, such a “mini-motorcycle” cannot have a vehicle passport (PTS), and, as a result, it is prohibited from driving on public roads.
Of course, you can try to get a title by equipping the pit bike with lights and the appropriate wheels. Then you need to undergo state certification: it involves checking the technical characteristics of the pit bike, purchase documents and compliance of the vehicle with safety requirements.
True, the procedure involves certain expenses, but after registration of the PTS you will have the opportunity to register the pit bike.
What is a pit bike according to the law?
Various regulations equate a pit bike to different categories of transport. But we are only interested in two of them: traffic regulations, which establish the rules for managing it, and the Code of Administrative Offences, which provides for various types of sanctions for violations, including fines, deprivation of a car license and impound parking.
The note in Article 12.1, which applies to the entire 12th chapter of the Administrative Code, which is responsible for fines in the field of traffic, states that in order for a vehicle to be subject to a fine, it must have an indispensable attribute - it must be granted a special right - to drive.
Note. In this article, a vehicle should be understood as a motor vehicle with a displacement of an internal combustion engine of more than 50 cubic centimeters or a maximum electric motor power of more than 4 kilowatts and a maximum design speed of more than 50 kilometers per hour, as well as trailers for it, subject to state registration, and in others Articles of this chapter also include tractors, self-propelled road construction and other self-propelled machines, vehicles for which a special right is granted in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation on road safety.
That is, to answer the question whether fines apply to pit bikes, we need to know whether a driving license is required to ride a pit bike.
What is a pit bike and is it a vehicle?
The currently fashionable pit bike belongs to one of the varieties of the motorcycle family. Its main “specialization” is off-road or, much less frequently, road driving, depending on the configuration. Initially, this type of equipment was used as sports equipment for motorcycle racing, which is perhaps why the law still does not provide for one or another standard accessory among vehicles for it.
“Since pit bikes do not officially belong to vehicles, technical passports are not produced for them, which are necessary for registering the vehicle, and they are also not equipped with a speedometer, dimensions and other similar equipment,” said Evgenia Galkina. “Hence follows the ban on the use of pit bikes on public roads, including on sidewalks and roadsides.”
