A Great Pit Bike for Beginners, but It Gets Old Fast
check_circlePros
- The KAYO 140 is a great value for money, especially for beginners.
- It's super easy to handle, making it perfect for navigating rough terrain.
- The pit bike is cheap and doesn't require registration or special permits.
- It's a great way to get some exercise and have fun outdoors.
- The build quality is decent, with solid buttons and a comfortable seat.
- The battery life is longer than expected, which is a nice surprise.
cancelContras
- After a while, the KAYO 140 gets old fast, and the excitement wears off.
- The build quality is decent, but it's not exactly durable.
- The pit bike is not suitable for long-term riding or extensive use.
- The brakes could be better, which is a concern for safety.
- The suspension could be improved for a smoother ride.
- The customer support is not the best, which is a drawback.
Editor's Summary
I recently got my hands on the KAYO 140 pit bike, and I gotta say, it's a great option for beginners looking for a fun and affordable ride. With its lightweight design and easy handling, it's perfect for navigating rough terrain. However, after riding it for 4 motor hours over six months, I found it gets old fast. The build quality is decent, but it's not exactly durable. If you're looking for a short-term thrill, the KAYO 140 is worth considering. But if you're planning to ride it extensively, you might want to look elsewhere. I've had some good times on this bike, but I've also encountered some issues. The brakes could be better, and the suspension could be improved for a smoother ride. The customer support is not the best, which is a drawback. Overall, it's a fun ride, but it's not without its flaws. Here's my detailed review.", "pros": [ "The KAYO 140 is a great value for money, especially for beginners.", "It's super easy to handle, making it perfect for navigating rough terrain.", "The pit bike is cheap and doesn't require registration or special permits.", "It's a great way to get some exercise and have fun outdoors.", "The build quality is decent, with solid buttons and a comfortable seat.", "The battery life is longer than expected, which is a nice surprise." ], "cons": [ "After a while, the KAYO 140 gets old fast, and the excitement wears off.", "The build quality is decent, but it's not exactly durable.", "The pit bike is not suitable for long-term riding or extensive use.", "The brakes could be better, which is a concern for safety.", "The suspension could be improved for a smoother ride.", "The customer support is not the best, which is a drawback." ], "faq": [ { "question": "Is the KAYO 140 suitable for long-term riding?", "answer": "No, the KAYO 140 is not designed for long-term riding or extensive use. It's best suited for short-term thrills and beginner riders." }, { "question": "How long does the battery life last?", "answer": "The battery life is longer than expected, but the exact duration depends on usage and terrain." }, { "question": "Does the KAYO 140 require registration or special permits?", "answer": "No, the KAYO 140 is considered sports equipment and doesn't require registration or special permits." }, { "question": "What's the build quality like?", "answer": "The build quality is decent, with solid buttons and a comfortable seat. However, it's not exactly durable." }, { "question": "Is the KAYO 140 suitable for beginners?", "answer": "Yes, the KAYO 140 is a great option for beginners looking for a fun and affordable ride." }, { "question": "Can I customize the KAYO 140?", "answer": "Yes, the KAYO 140 is customizable, but you'll need to check with the manufacturer for specific options and availability." }, { "question": "What's the warranty like?", "answer": "The warranty is not specified, so it's best to check with the manufacturer for details." }, { "question": "Can I return the KAYO 140 if I'm not satisfied?", "answer": "Yes, you can return the KAYO 140 if you're not satisfied, but you'll need to check with the manufacturer for their return policy and procedures." }, { "question": "How long can I expect the KAYO 140 to last?", "answer": "The KAYO 140 is designed for short-term use, so it's best to plan for regular maintenance and potential replacement after a few months." ], "meta_title": "KAYO 140 Pit Bike Review: A Fun Ride for Beginners", "meta_description": "Get the inside scoop on the KAYO 140 pit bike, a great option for beginners looking for a fun and affordable ride.", "og_title": "KAYO 140 Pit Bike Review: A Fun Ride for Beginners", "og_description": "Discover the pros and cons of the KAYO 140 pit bike, a great option for beginners looking for a fun and affordable ride.
Specifications
Hello everyone!
I chose the KAYO 140 because I wanted something more lively and maneuverable for riding over rough terrain. Plus, a pit bike is cheap, considered sports equipment, and doesn't require registration with the GIBDD or Rostekhnadzor, or any special permits to operate it. In the end, it stayed in the household for six months, I rode it for 4 motor hours, and sold it without regrets.
But let's get into the details.
Here's how it looks and the other parts:
Originally, the pit bike is designed for cross-country riding over rough terrain, which is why it has all these features: a lightweight construction, no mirrors, no turn signals, a short rear fender, and a manual start - no electric starter. Pure sports equipment, not intended or adapted for riding on public roads. In technical terms, it's also simple and easy to understand:
It has a four-stroke engine with a 140cc displacement and a power output of 13.9 horsepower. With air-cooled and oil-cooled cooling. Technical specifications: Engine displacement: 140cc Power: 13.9 horsepower Transmission: Mechanical, 4-speed (all upshift) Cooling system: Air-cooled and oil-cooled Drive type: Chain 420 Dry weight: 71 kg. Suspension: 33mm inverted fork Starting method: Kick starter Headlight: No Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes. Wheels: Front wheel: steel, 1.6-17", rear wheel: 1.85-14"In general, with some technical knowledge, it's quite possible to maintain it yourself. We didn't ride much and didn't encounter the need to adjust the chain and other repairs. We just tightened all the bolts when buying and selling.
For its 14 horsepower, it rides fairly quickly and sharply, handles hills and inclines well. The only thing is that the carburetor's performance is unstable and requires adjustment, depending on the actual weather conditions, i.e., it heavily depends on the fuel mixture quality. A richer mixture is better than a leaner one. We fueled and adjusted it according to AI-95.
A nice touch is the presence of a motor hour counter. It will help you determine the timing for oil change.
Production is in China, so spare parts are available and affordable. One of the downsides is the cheap plastic.
The ease of handling, height, comfortable seating, and lightweight make it quite suitable for women and teenagers. However, be careful with the kick starter - it doesn't always work perfectly and can easily give you a nasty bruise if you decide to ride in light shoes.
After tearing it up off-road, you've got to wash the pit and clean the chain, unless you're using a Kercher. The air-oil filter, of course, shouldn't be caked with dirt either.
You'll need a garage to store it, leaving it out in the yard is a recipe for saying goodbye. And let's not even get started on how it'll fare in the winter.
When it comes to transporting it, either when buying/selling or taking it to the trails, you'll need a pickup or minivan – it's not roadworthy, even if nobody gets caught, the road tires will wear out fast.
For safe riding, a helmet and motorcycle gear are a must and highly recommended.
The KAYO 140 comes with straightforward documents, no PTVS in sight. If you're reselling, you might be lucky to get a DKT or nothing at all.
Personally, aside from the electric starter, I missed having mirrors, a short rear fender, and the resulting wet and dirty back. I also missed the space for tool storage and other clutter, especially when riding into the woods or fields for fishing, picnics, or hunting, as opposed to just racing around the track. I'm not exactly an adrenaline junkie when it comes to racing, if you're looking to test the pit in the mud, you'll have to carry 70+ kg of dry and other weight by yourself – no winch for this ATV, folks!
Riding it on full off-road terrain (not trails, paths, or motocross tracks) is a bit of a risk, as unexpected potholes require a different suspension setup. After four moto-hours, it just got boring...
So, here's the rundown:
LightweightComfortable seatingSufficient powerGood visibilityEasy to handlePeasy to maintainEasy to buy/sellNo special permits requiredAffordable on both primary and secondary marketsNot intimidating for newbiesCons:
Requires basic technical know-howFlimsy plasticCould use a rear mudguardNo electric starterFiddly carburetorA headlight would be niceConsidering the pros and cons, I'd recommend it for kids aged 14 and up (16 according to the manual) and as a budget-friendly, slow-paced first motorcycle for learning the ropes and getting familiar with motorcycle tech. It's also great for those who enjoy casual riding on the track and want to build up their muscles or shed a few pounds!
Thanks for reading!
***
Other reviews on autos and motorcycles:
Stells ATV300B - A budget-friendly ATV for non-demanding users with a mechanical background
SYM QuadLander 200 - A small and quick ATV, but unfortunately, not very off-road capable...
Hyundai Solaris 2014 - Comfort is all about the little things!
Hyundai Santa Fe 2014 - What you should know before buying this car
BMW F 700 GS 2016 - I've gotta say, it's a far cry from the manufacturer's claims...
Mazda CX-7 2011 My first and last Mazda, what a wild ride
