Customizing Baja Minibikes

Easily customized bikes is a hot deal for enthusiasts of "choppers," or bikes that have been optimized for performance. That is why many bike manufacturers make it a point to design models that are exclusively customizable. Makers of the more famous brands of bikes, even minibikes, have gone the extra mile to create customizable models. But it is well-known that Baja minibikes are not among them.

It is not easy to customize Baja minibikes, given that they are specially designed for off-road and trail use. As such, they are endowed with large tires and huge, clunky engines. This makes them difficult to style for looks and speed.

However, "difficult" does not mean "impossible"! Certain parts of Baja mini bikes are already easy to customize, such as the lamps, which can be changed into fog lights, for easier traveling at night. There is also the saddle, which can be modified, but already usually comes straight from the factory with the intent of maximizing comfort while riding. Baja pocket bike saddles are already wider and larger than those found in other small-scale bikes.

These are much too basic, however, for the real chopper enthusiasts - what one really wants to change is the engine, perhaps to add more power to the machine, or simply to apply a different look to the bike. Of course, changing the engine may also require that other parts of the bike be changed also, such as the exhaust system. This is needed in order to better manage the air flow of a more powerful engine. The standard size for a minibike engine is 50cc, although many modern pocket bikes come with custom-fitted engines enhanced with superchargers.

Changing the engine may be difficult, and certainly expensive. The customization effort may take a lot of repainting and fitting, so be prepared to shell out a few bucks. But for the glory of owning a customized Baja minibike, the price is certainly worth it! Few pocket bike collectors would be able to boast of such an accomplishment.

Some bike owners may want to modify their offroad bikes for racing - be warned that Baja minibikes may not take kindly to this notion. Like their larger counterpart, the famous Baja offroad bike, the miniature version is made with large wheels, designed especially for use on rough terrain. It would be difficult to turn at high speeds. Plus, the heavy-set design of the bike alone says it is not made to be aerodynamic. Full-sized Baja bikes are the transport vehicle of choice by many big bike touring agencies, as they are reliable for use on any kind of terrain. The risk of going out of control and running into grave mishaps on the road is also minimized, which makes it ideal even for mountain trail tours.