Many pit bikes are inherently unsafe. If you are considering buying a pit bike, the first thing you must insure is that the bike you purchase is safe in all respects. There are six key components that can compromise the safety of your pit bike, if not paid attention to. You can choose to ignore them at your own peril, literally.

1. Frame:

Many pit bikes in the market use single beam frames which break easily. This happens even if you use them off-road only occasionally. A frame that breaks while you are on the bike could cost you your life!

The solution is to use a pit bike equipped with a frame that has a twin beam design. Also, make sure that the frame has a cradle to support the engine from below and preferably made of Chrome Moly tubing which is stronger and lighter. Such a frame is more likely to stand up to the rigors of extreme off-roading.

2. Engine:

In a bid to keep costs down, many pit bike manufacturers experiment with engines that have not passed the reliability test, over a number of years of use. As a result, they have high failure rates, and could cost you a fortune in maintenance expenses. An engine that's prone to failure would also compromise your safety while on a busy road, or even while off-roading on rough terrain Lifan Motor Sport and YX Motosport engines have proved to be very reliable .The YX Motorsport engine is also easy to tune to extract more BHP out of the engine.

Avoid a bike with a cheap engine, which would prove costly to maintain or replace. Look for a pit bike which uses an engine that has proved the most reliable over many years, and has a proven low failure rate. Insure that the engine is fitted using superior quality bearings. Such a bike would not need much maintenance, and would start easily, even if you hadn't ridden it for a long time.

3. Wheels:

Many pit bike manufacturers do not equip their bikes with SDG wheels. Such bikes are prone to wheel failure, especially in the rear. The reason is that non SDG wheels have poorly constructed rims and hubs. This makes these wheels weak and fragile, causing them to fall apart. Another life-threatening situation, if you are on the saddle when that happens! Not to mention the cost involved in replacement.

Choose a pit bike that comes equipped with SDG wheels. You are not only assured of stronger rims and hubs, but also sturdier spokes. That will insure a maintenance-free pit bike that you can enjoy riding over a longer period of time. Make sure the manufacturer offers you a combination of sizes to choose from.

4. Chains:

Watch out for pit bikes that use cheap chains from China that stretch and break easily. This happens even on a bike that does not have a powerful engine. A chain breaking while you're riding the bike can not only damage the bike but also cause you physical harm.

Increase your bike's safety and yours by opting for a pit bike that has a KMC chain. These are not only better than cheap Chinese chains, they require less maintenance as well.

5. Tank:

Many pit bikes use cheap materials for fuel tanks. These are relatively cheap to buy, but prone to failure, with the attendant dangers to life and limbs.

Go for a pit bike which has a tougher polymer resin type of tank. They are much safer, though more expensive. But always remember that your life is priceless!

6. Throttle & Clutch Cables:

Many pit bike manufacturers compromise your safety by using a host of throttle & clutch cables sold on the market, manufactured by several nameless factories. They don't bother to check on the quality of the products nor on the reputation of their manufacturers. Most of these inferior cables are prone to snapping within minutes of use, taking you a step closer to your grave.

Look for a pit bike manufacturer who uses quality cables for throttle and clutch, so your safety is not compromised because of inferior parts.