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Before You Even Start the Engine

So you just got your 50cc. You're hyped. We get it. But before you rip that pull cord, there's a few things you gotta know that'll make your first ride way smoother and way safer.

First things first — check the bike over. Make sure the handlebars are tight, the chain isn't loose, the tires have air, and the kill switch works. This takes 60 seconds and it could save you from a bad time.

Starting the Engine

Your 50cc is a pull-start 2-stroke engine. Here's how to fire it up every time:

• Turn the fuel valve to ON (usually on the left side of the tank)
• Flip the choke UP if the engine is cold — this gives it extra fuel to start
• Make sure the kill switch is in the RUN position
• Pull the starter cord with a firm, smooth motion — don't yank it
• Once it fires up, let it idle for 30 seconds to warm up
• Flip the choke back DOWN after it's warmed up

Your First Few Minutes on the Bike

Don't go full throttle right away. Seriously. Every single person who does that on their first ride ends up on the ground. Start slow in a flat, open area — a parking lot, a field, your backyard. Get used to how the throttle responds.

The throttle on a 50cc is a twist grip on the right handlebar. Twist it gently toward you to go. The more you twist, the faster you go. Let go and it returns to idle.

• Both brakes: Left handlebar = front brake, right foot or right handlebar = rear brake
• Use the rear brake first. Front brake only is how you flip over the bars
• Keep your feet on the pegs — dragging your feet is a bad habit that'll slow you down
• Look where you want to go, not at the ground right in front of you

Your First Turns

Making turns on a dirt bike is different from a bicycle. You lean into the turn with your body while keeping the bike slightly upright. Don't try to steer with the handlebars alone — that's how you lowside.

Start with wide, gentle turns. As you get more comfortable, you can tighten them up. Keep a steady throttle through the turn — don't chop it mid-turn or you'll lose balance.

When You're Done

• Let the engine idle for a few seconds before killing it
• Hit the kill switch to shut it off
• Turn the fuel valve to OFF
• Let the bike cool down before covering or storing it

That's it. Your first ride is about getting comfortable — not going fast. Speed comes with time. The riders who last are the ones who started slow and learned right.

We've sold hundreds of 50cc bikes. These are the tips we give every single customer before they ride off. Doesn't matter if you're 8 or 38 — these apply to everyone.

1. Always Wear a Helmet

Not negotiable. Even at 25 mph, hitting the ground without a helmet can mess you up. Full-face MX helmets are best. We've got recommendations in the Safety Gear section of this manual.

2. Start on Flat Ground

Your backyard, a field, an empty lot. Don't start on hills, don't start on the street. Flat and open gives you room to learn without risk.

3. Keep Both Hands on the Bars

No one-handing it. No showing off for your friends on day one. Both hands, always. You need full control of the throttle and brakes.

4. Use the Rear Brake First

Grabbing the front brake too hard is the number one way people go over the handlebars. Train yourself to use the rear brake first, then add front brake gently.

5. Don't Ride on Concrete or Asphalt

These bikes are built for dirt. The tires are knobby off-road tires — they don't grip well on pavement. Plus, if you drop it on concrete, you're scratching up your plastics. Dirt and grass are your friend.

6. Check Your Chain Before Every Ride

A loose chain can slip off and lock up your rear wheel. A tight chain puts stress on the sprockets. You want about half an inch of play when you push down on the chain at the midpoint.

7. Don't Let the Fuel Sit

2-stroke fuel mix goes bad after about 30 days. If you're not riding for a while, either drain the tank or add fuel stabilizer. Old fuel is the number one reason bikes won't start.

8. Learn to Use the Kill Switch

The kill switch is your emergency stop. Know where it is and practice using it. If things ever feel out of control, hit the kill switch immediately — it cuts the engine instantly.

9. Ride at Your Level

Don't try to keep up with someone who's been riding for years. Progress at your own pace. The goal is to ride again tomorrow, not to end up in the ER today.

10. Have Fun

At the end of the day, that's what this is about. You bought a dirt bike to have a good time. Don't stress about being perfect — just enjoy it. The skills come with seat time.

Your 50cc can handle more than you think. But different terrain requires different technique. Here's how to ride confidently on whatever surface you're on.

Packed Dirt

This is your best friend. Hard-packed dirt gives you the most traction and the most predictable ride. It's where you should learn and where you'll have the most fun. Keep a steady throttle, stay loose on the bars, and let the bike do its thing.

Loose Dirt / Sand

This is where it gets tricky. Loose dirt wants to grab your front wheel and pull it sideways. The key is to stay on the gas — not fast, but consistent. If you chop the throttle in sand, you'll stall or tip over. Keep your weight back slightly and let the rear tire dig in.

• Shift your weight toward the back of the seat
• Keep a steady, light throttle — don't stop and start
• Don't fight the handlebars — let them wiggle
• Wider turns, not sharp ones

Gravel

Gravel is slippery. Think of it like riding on marbles. Your knobby tires will grip better than street tires, but you still need to respect it. Avoid hard braking on gravel — you'll slide. Brake early and gently. And keep your turns wide.

Grass / Wet Ground

Grass can be deceptively slippery, especially when wet. Your tires will spin more than you expect. Go slower than you think you need to. If it rained recently, stick to higher ground — low spots turn into mud pits that'll swallow your rear tire.

Small Hills

Going uphill: commit to the throttle. Don't hesitate halfway up or you'll stall and roll back. Stand on the pegs slightly and lean forward to keep weight over the front.

Going downhill: let gravity do the work. Stay off the throttle, use both brakes gently, and keep your weight back. Never ride a hill you're not confident you can handle.

Arizona Specific

We're in Tempe, so a lot of our riders are on desert terrain. Watch out for rocks hidden under dust, cactus (obviously), and hard caliche that looks like dirt but rides like concrete. Early morning and late afternoon are the best riding times — the Arizona sun at noon is brutal on you and the bike.

We want every customer to have a blast on their bike. We also want every customer to come back in one piece. Here are the rules we go over with everyone at pickup.

Mandatory Gear

• Helmet — always, every time, no exceptions
• Goggles — dust and rocks will find your eyes
• Gloves — better grip, less blisters, protects your hands in a fall
• Closed-toe shoes — ideally boots, but sneakers at minimum. Never sandals.
• Long pants — jeans at minimum. The exhaust pipe WILL burn exposed skin

Supervision

If your rider is under 12, an adult should be present at all times. These bikes can hit 25+ mph — that's fast enough to get hurt if something goes wrong. Kids should never ride unsupervised until they've demonstrated they can control the bike confidently.

Where to Ride

• Private property with owner permission — backyards, fields, ranches
• Designated OHV (Off-Highway Vehicle) areas
• NOT on public streets, sidewalks, or parks — these bikes are not street legal

The Hot Exhaust

The exhaust pipe gets extremely hot — it can cause serious burns on contact. Make sure riders know where the pipe is and to never touch it during or after riding. Wait at least 15 minutes after shutting off the bike before going near the exhaust area.

Emergency Stop

Every rider should know how to use the kill switch before their first ride. Practice it. If anything feels wrong — hit the kill switch, squeeze both brakes, and put your feet down.

Taking care of your bike is easy if you stay on top of it. Here's the maintenance schedule we recommend. Print this out, stick it on your garage wall, and check things off.

Before Every Ride (2 minutes)

• Check tire pressure — squeeze test, they should feel firm
• Check chain tension — about 1/2 inch of play at the midpoint
• Check fuel level — never ride on fumes
• Test both brakes — squeeze front, press rear. Both should engage
• Test kill switch — make sure it actually kills the engine
• Quick visual — nothing loose, nothing hanging, nothing leaking

Every 5 Hours of Riding

• Clean the air filter — remove it, wash with warm soapy water, let dry completely, re-oil lightly if it's a foam filter, reinstall
• Lube the chain — use chain lube or WD-40 on the chain while slowly spinning the rear wheel
• Check all bolts — handlebars, axle nuts, engine mounts. Vibration loosens everything over time

Every 20 Hours of Riding

• Check the spark plug — pull it out and look at the electrode. Light brown/tan = good. Black and sooty = too rich. White = too lean
• Check brake pads — if they're thin, replace them. Don't ride on worn brakes
• Inspect the chain and sprockets — look for stretched links or worn teeth. Replace if needed

Every 50 Hours or Once a Season

• Replace the spark plug — they're cheap ($8-15) and make a huge difference
• Replace the air filter if it's damaged or can't be cleaned properly
• Check the throttle cable — should snap back when you release it. If it's sticky, lube or replace
• Inspect tires — check for cracks, bald spots, or damage

Your 50cc runs on a 2-stroke engine, which means you can't just pour straight gas in the tank. You need to mix gas with 2-stroke oil at the right ratio. Get this wrong and you'll damage the engine. Get it right and your bike runs like a dream.

The Ratio: 25:1

For your 50cc, the mix is 25 parts gasoline to 1 part 2-stroke oil. Here's what that looks like in real life:

• 1 gallon of gas → add 5.12 oz of 2-stroke oil (about 5 oz)
• Half gallon of gas → add 2.56 oz of 2-stroke oil (about 2.5 oz)

What You Need

• Regular unleaded gas (87 octane is fine)
• Quality 2-stroke oil — we recommend any name-brand 2T oil. Don't use cheap no-name oil.
• A gas can — mix in the can, NOT in the bike's tank
• A measuring cup or oil measuring bottle — most 2-stroke oils come with one

How to Mix

• Pour the gas into your gas can first
• Measure the oil carefully
• Pour the oil into the gas can
• Cap it and shake it for 15-20 seconds
• Pour the mixed fuel into the bike's tank

Common Mistakes

• Too much oil — engine smokes a lot, spark plug fouls up fast, bike runs sluggish
• Not enough oil — this is dangerous. The engine overheats and can seize. Rebuild territory.
• Using old mix — fuel mix goes stale after 30 days. Always mix fresh
• Mixing in the tank — always mix in a separate container so it's properly blended before it enters the engine

Your bike was running fine last week and now it won't start. Don't panic. 90% of the time it's one of these simple issues. Work through them in order.

1. Check the Kill Switch

Sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised. Make sure the kill switch is in the RUN position. If it's off, the engine won't fire no matter how many times you pull the cord.

2. Check the Fuel

• Is there gas in the tank? Look inside
• Is the fuel valve turned to ON?
• How old is the fuel? If it's been sitting for more than 30 days, drain it and put in fresh mix

3. Check the Choke

Cold engine = choke ON (up). If the engine is already warm, choke should be OFF (down). Running with the choke in the wrong position is a common reason for no-starts.

4. Check the Spark Plug

• Remove the spark plug with a socket wrench
• Look at the electrode tip — is it wet and black? It's fouled. Clean it with a wire brush or replace it
• Is it dry and white? Your fuel mix might not be reaching the engine
• Is it light brown/tan? That's healthy — the issue is elsewhere
• Test for spark: hold the plug against the engine metal, pull the cord, and look for a blue spark. No spark = bad plug or ignition issue

5. You Might Have Flooded It

If you pulled the cord 15+ times and smell gas strongly, the engine is flooded. Here's how to fix it:

• Turn off the fuel valve
• Remove the spark plug
• Pull the cord 5-6 times to clear excess fuel from the cylinder
• Dry the spark plug and reinstall
• Turn fuel back on, choke OFF, and try again

6. Check the Air Filter

A clogged air filter chokes the engine. Pull it out — if it's dark, oily, and gunked up, clean it or replace it. The engine needs clean air to run.

Still Won't Start?

Call us. We troubleshoot these bikes every day and we'll figure it out with you over the phone. (623) 320-8984

Whether you're taking a break for a few weeks or storing it for months, a little prep keeps your bike ready to rip when you come back.

Short-Term Storage (2-4 Weeks)

• Turn the fuel valve OFF
• Store in a dry place — garage, shed, under a cover
• That's honestly it for a few weeks

Long-Term Storage (1+ Months)

• Drain the fuel tank completely — old fuel is the number one killer of small engines. Drain the tank and run the engine until it dies so the carburetor is empty too
• Remove the spark plug and put a few drops of 2-stroke oil into the cylinder, then pull the cord slowly a couple times to coat the cylinder walls. Reinstall the plug
• Clean the air filter
• Lube the chain
• Cover the bike or store it indoors. Dust and moisture are the enemy
• Put the bike on a stand if you have one — keeps weight off the tires

When You're Ready to Ride Again

• Mix fresh fuel (25:1 ratio)
• Check tire pressure
• Check the chain
• Install a fresh spark plug if it's been 3+ months
• Start it up, let it warm, and ease back into it

Arizona Storage Note

We don't really get "winter" in Tempe, but the summer heat can be rough on fuel and rubber. If your bike sits in a hot garage through July and August, the fuel will go bad even faster. Drain it. Your tires and plastics will appreciate being out of direct sunlight too.