Scooters are cool, motorcycles are even cooler, and minibikes are a little weird. In some ways, they’re basically scooters, or tiny bikes, pretending to be full-grown motorcycles. Take one look at a bike like a Honda Grom or the Kawasaki Z125 Pro, and you’ll probably think they’re meant for a circus show. However, they’re not. So why would anyone want to purchase one of these minuscule two-wheelers?

Mini motorcycles are really cheap

The first reason that anyone would want to purchase a minibike would be the price. If you’re just getting into the world of motorcycles, you’ll soon realize that some (normal-sized) bikes can get pricey. However, most 125cc bikes can cost a fraction of the price ($3,000 to $4,000) of many new sport and cruiser bikes on the market today.

Mini bikes are easy to maintain

Just like any other vehicle with an engine and other moving parts, mini bikes need to be maintained too. Fortunately, they’re pretty easy to work on, thanks to their small size. And replacement parts are relatively cheap as well.

For example, you can buy a complete rebuild kit for a Honda Grom for $140, which includes everything you need to rebuild the top end of its engine. But if you don’t need that much extensive work, then replacement parts like an air filter will only cost you around $15.

They’re good for learning how to ride

Another plus for buying a mini bike is if you’re completely new to riding. Sure, buying a 1000cc monster sounds like a lot of fun, but if you’re just starting out, a 125cc mini bike can get you going. According to this entry by Atlanta Motorsport Park, mini bikes are “not as scary” as riding a larger sportbike.

A mini bike’s small size makes it easy to learn how to properly maneuver a bike. And if you drop it, you only have to pick up around 200 pounds. On the other hand, a larger sportbike can easily weigh twice that amount.

Mini bikes are also great for wheelies without the attention

While we don’t condone breaking any laws, we will say that learning how to do wheelies can be easier on a minibike. A 125cc bike’s lighter weight and smaller size are much more manageable, and if you flip it, the damage might not be as bad.

As an added plus, many onlookers may marvel at the sight of someone doing a wheelie on such a small motorcycle as opposed to seeing it as a nuisance. Just remember to comply with your local laws when it comes to riding (you can’t say we didn’t warn you).

Get the thrill of the (slow) ride

Ultimately, once you get riding on a mini bike, it could be the most fun that you’ve had driving slow. Most 125cc bikes have a top speed of around 40 to 50 mph, although some people like to modify them to go faster. That being said, you won’t have enough power to ride on the freeway, but you can still have a lot of fun and get to wherever you’re going, regardless. Minibikes might seem weird, but they are cheap, handy, efficient, and a lot of fun.