Chinese minimoto MK 2 49cc Review

Overall Rating

Cheap (I got it for £100 brand new). Fast (40mph). Very efficient on fuel - 2.5 litres per 100km (roughly 100mpg). Powerful. Great acceleration. Great sound. Upgradeable to 60+ mph. FUN!!!

Bit plasticky looking. Hard to start when engine is cold (a characteristic of most minimotos though, not just this one). No tread on the tyres (again, a characteristic of most minimotos though, not just this one). Like all minimotos, not street legal.

I don't know who makes this minimoto, I've checked all over the manual, and I can't find any manufacturer's name. It's a 49cc air cooled chinese mk.2, the green Kawasaki. Minimotos are usually chinese or Japanese/European. The main difference, is the build quality - Japanese and European minimotos are constructed of a higher quality plastic. Chinese ones are a little flimsy.
On taking it out of the box, I was very surprised at the size and weight. I knew it was meant to be small, but this is less than 1/2 the size of a proper motorbike! After seeing people riding them, and the cramped position they ride in, I thought it would be very uncomfortable, but when I sat on it, I found that it was actually quite comfortable. To maximise comfort, I have even devised my own style of riding it. Instead of using the footpegs for their intended use, I rest my knees or shins on them. that way you don't end up with your knees around your ears.
Unfortunately, I lack mechanical skills, and the bike arrived with the brakes and steering COMPLETELY unadjusted, so I didn't drive it that day. I dropped it off at a garage to get it serviced the next day. When I picked it up, naturally the first thing I did, was to gas it up and take it for a test drive.
After taking it for a quick drive around a residential area, I had a big smile on my face. It's a really smooth ride, and the acceleration is excellent. On flat ground, it can get to 40mph in 5 seconds easily. They pack loads of power too; if you're light enough it will wheelie if you accelerate too quickly. Cruising at top speed is great fun, quite scary actually, because you're so close to the ground. The sound is really nice and not too unlike that of a real racing motorbike.
These things are basically engines on wheels, and loads of fun. Try riding one around a residential area, and see how quickly you become the centre of attention.
I think the main disadvantage of minimotos is their lack of road legality. I made the mistake of riding one on the road a few weeks ago, without knowledge of legal aspects, and ended up in the back of a police car. Luckily they didn't do anything to me - they just drove me home and told me not to take it on the road again. They aren't designed for road use though, as the tyres have no treads, and there are no mirrors, reflectors, lights, etc...
I think the £100 brand new price tag is more than reasonable. They are easily worth more. I would recommend one over an electric scooter any day. They kill almost every electric scooter you could find. Most electric scooters can't even get up hills, whereas this thing can cart me up any tarmac hill.
The only advantages electric scooters have over minimotos really, is that electricity means no emissions or fuel costs, no fuel tank for people to sugar/steal the fuel from, and no worries about the engine not being able to start in winter. But battery power gives a poor range, and you don't get the roaring or the feel of the engine. and fuel cost isn't much of an issue with this bike.
Another great thing about this bike is its upgradeability. there are plenty of aftermaket parts available - exhausts, pinions, sprockets, etc... to jack up the power and speed.

Members' Comments onabbas014's Review

• purpleleprachaurn on 7th Nov 2005

  Are the look-a-like chinese MK2s terrible (because mine looks like an MK2 with some minor/substantial differences)?
  and what about upgrades? im not sure if the official stuff will work on it?