Mini quad bikes are essentially the four-wheeled equivalent of a pocket bike. They are miniature versions of a full-sized quad meant for off-road riding. The smaller size makes mini quad bikes ideal for smaller riders or full-sized riders interested in doing tricks or fast turns. Most often, however, mini quad bikes are ridden by young children just getting into the sport. The quads themselves are simply miniature versions of the larger quads, featuring gas-powered engines, suspension, gears, and everything a large quad would feature but with less power to match the smaller size.
Quads are four-wheeled off-road vehicles designed to be stable in rocky, muddy, or sandy conditions. They feature ample suspension units for each wheel, and in many cases, lightweight fiberglass body panels that will break away safely should an accident occur. Larger quads may feature two or four cylinder engines, but mini quads are likely to feature one cylinder engines since the power requirements for the smaller quads is substantially less. The weight of a smaller quad will also be significantly less than the larger, full-sized quads.
Motorcycle and quad engine sizes are measured in cc, or cubic centimeters. Most full sized quads feature engines from 100 cc anywhere up to 1000 cc or more; mini quad bikes feature engines that range anywhere from 50 cc to 125 cc. The smaller engine size matches the smaller size of the quad itself, but this does not mean the quad is not powerful or that it cannot go fast. Some versions of mini quad bikes can reach speeds in excess of 55 miles per hour (88.5 kilometers per hour). This means, of course, that riders on mini quad bikes should take proper precautions to prevent injury; safety equipment such as helmets, gloves, and goggles should be worn at all times by riders of the quad.
Like full size quads, mini quad bikes must be modified properly in order to become street legal. Most smaller versions of the quads are not made to be street legal, since most riders of smaller quads are children who would be endangered by riding on the road for long periods of time. Medium sized quads, however, are meant for more experienced and large riders such as teenagers, and these versions may feature headlights, tail lights, turn signals, gas tanks appropriate for street use, and other features that make a quad legal for road use.