Why did mini bikes die?

[nightgrider]

I am truly surprised nobody mentioned the fact that even the tiny Honda bikes had multiple gears.
Their little tiny engines never would have kept up without those three speeds.

Yes, a real transmission is the main advantage. Always thought it would be cool for a bolt transmission for small engines. CVTs are pretty close though, at least for the application. Most of these mini bike aren't designed for adults or to really go over 25 mph (though we all want and modify them to do more). It comes down to manufacturers cost verse demand. The demand is pretty low for a bolt on transmission. I have seen people connect small engines to old motorcycle engines to use as a stand alone transmission. I know as a kid I wanted a motorcycle, a Honda mini would have fit that, but my dad wouldn't buy me one. So I settled for go karts and mini bikes. I still had a lot of fun.

 

[ruppking]

It was a combination of things. Yes, the Japan invasion of products at cheaper prices was a factor.
But the US was in a major recession. We had the Arab oil embargo, no gas or long lines at the gas stations.
Inflation was so high our government put price freezes on many products. Interest rates soared to 23 percent.
This put the demand for non essential products to dry up and many of these companies went out of business.

 

[Minimichael]

I just figured the boomers shut it down because they never wanted us to have any fun.

 

[Thepaetsguy]

I just figured the boomers shut it down because they never wanted us to have any fun.

It was canned due to 170k tall 5hp Briggs and stratton fuel tank caps. they were a special ‘tall’ cap that leaked gas when the kart flipped over. 7 people were burned and sued Briggs. out of 170k funkarts could you believe the massive change 7 kids made by accident? it ended fun karts completely. actually for Briggs it ended all but equipment engine sales. besides like the raptor stuff.

 

[Mr. Pink]

It was canned due to 170k tall 5hp Briggs and stratton fuel tank caps. they were a special ‘tall’ cap that leaked gas when the kart flipped over. 7 people were burned and sued Briggs. out of 170k funkarts could you believe the massive change 7 kids made by accident? it ended fun karts completely. actually for Briggs it ended all but equipment engine sales. besides like the raptor stuff.

Consumer Product Safety Commission recall
https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2002/c...all-of-engines-used-on-fun-kart-type-go-karts

 

[superflea]

I just figured the boomers shut it down because they never wanted us to have any fun.

That's why they call us BOOmERS. Ya know,"Here comes the BOOM."

 

[joshua. c.]

Mini bike manufacturing back in the hayday may have died but there are currently allot of new mini bike options and if you have ever been to a mini bike meat or event recently the sport is very much alive and growing.