The Best Coleman Mini Bikes to Buy: RB200, RB100, BT200X

My History With Mini Bikes

I love the fact that minibikes are making a comeback! I grew up riding them down in Florida. It was how I was introduced to the world of combustion engines. I couldn't tell you what brand mini bike it was, but I know it was from at least the 70s because it was left on the property that my family purchased in the early 80s.

I remember it had a tiny little 3.5hp engine that I later on replaced with a 5hp Tecumseh engine my father had sitting around his shop. I rode it through small mud puddles after a storm and through the woods, going over anything you can imagine. My neighbor and I even built a small dirt trail next to his house. I have so many great memories on that damn little bike.

I have recently gotten back into these little bikes. I have built four so far. One was a Real Tree 100 (same as BT100 but Walmart's version) that I picked up at Walmart for like $250 a few years back and ended up converting into an electric 72v 3000w mini bike.

I didn't want to buy an actual 72v battery, so I wired three 20v Dewalt Batteries together and mounted them on. Boy, was that a nifty little build, even when I was only running it at 60v. Another one I built used a 212 Predator engine from Harbor Freight that I upgraded and bolted it on an old Coleman CT100 frame I bought at a garage sale. Mini bikes are pretty cheap to work on and upgrade. There are also many forums, videos, and communities out there that can help you with your build so with a few hundred bucks and the Internet, the possibilities are endless.

I have been thinking about buying one for my nephew but I don't want to buy and build everything from scratch. He's been begging for one for the last couple of weeks and I decided to surprise him with one. I have done a bit of research and came up with the best 3 Coleman mini bikes you can buy now.

1. Coleman RB200
2. Coleman RB100
3. Coleman BT200X

What is a Mini Bike?

A mini bike is a small motorized trail bike with very little ground clearance and usually lacks suspension. The engines used are engines you can find on modern-day pressure washers and lawn mowers, so don't expect it to have the power of a dirt bike. They regularly come in two sizes, one with a 98cc engine and another with a 196cc engine.

The smaller of the two (98cc) is most suitable for kids and lighter adults, and the other (196cc), is perfect for heavier kids/adults and taller individuals. Most mini bikes lack stopping power, but they're made for trails and off-roading, not the street. They are not street legal, so I recommend checking local laws to check where you can ride one.

People buy these mainly because of how small and lightweight they are. They're perfect for hauling around when camping or working on your property. They come in different frame sizes and shapes for various purposes.

You will find that they come with low-pressure off-road tires. Most of the larger mini bikes come from the factory with a headlight and front suspension, but these can be added to any model that doesn't come standard with it. They are so much fun to ride and modify. It is perfect for introducing your kids or yourself to the world of combustion engines and off-roading.

What to Expect When Buying a Coleman Mini Bike

With any of these mini bikes, when ordering online, they will arrive in a cardboard box that will most likely look like it fell out of the truck during shipping. I have ordered a few and have had damaged boxes and small scratches on the frame but nothing major. Some Coleman mini bike models come secured in a metal frame-like crate that protects the bike from any damage.

Even if the bike looks good, you should still make sure there is no major damage to any of the major components. I suggest inspecting the frame, front forks, engine, throttle, brake system, wheels, and chain. No matter the size of the mini bike, it will be heavy, and you will most likely need an extra set of hands to help you assemble and move it around while still in the box/frame.

Most of them come with some basic tools that will be enough to set up the bike, but I suggest having your own tools on hand and a couple of other items before your bike arrives. You'll need some wrenches or sockets, an allen key set, flathead & phillips screwdrivers, drill/impact driver, oil, gasoline, and something to inflate your tires.

If your mini bike comes in a metal frame, you will need to remove it from the bolted metal frame that it is enclosed in. That is why I recommend having an impact driver or a regular drill on hand to make this process a little quicker but the job can still get done without it.

Assembling the Mini Bike

Upon receiving your Coleman mini bike, you'll notice that it is pretty much fully assembled except for the handlebars, front wheel, fenders, and maybe the front forks. The first thing you should do is make sure that there is a small box somewhere in the package. That small box has your tools and other small parts that you will need to your bike together.

The next step will be putting together the front end of the bike. Depending on the mini bike you purchase, you will either be installing your front fork and then the handlebars or just bolting on the handlebars to the fork. That way, it is much easier to do the following step, which is putting on your front wheel, and this is when you will most likely need that extra person.

Once you have all that set up, please check your brakes and throttle along with their cables, make sure all the bolts/screws are secured, and nothing is loose on the engine or on the frame. Don't forget to inflate your tires and ensure they hold air. Sometimes the rims are too bent and won't hold air. I personally haven't experienced this but I have read a couple of reviews online saying this was an issue.

Once you have your mini bike set up, you need to read your manual to see what oil you need to fill the engine with and how much you need. The same applies to gasoline. You can always look up manuals or information for your Coleman mini bike on the Coleman Powersports website. I suggest going through the manual prior to receiving your mini bike, that way you can have everything you need and get to riding that same day. I also provide the information that I got directly from each manual in my reviews down below.

Starting your Mini Bike for the First Time

At this point, you are almost done, now comes the fun part, starting your mini bike for the first time! Please read the manual to see how to start it. I recommend starting it with the front wheel against a wall; that way if your throttle is stuck for some reason, the bike won't fly out of your hands and cause you or someone else any injury.

Once you have your mini up and running, I suggest taking it easy on the throttle for the first five minutes. That way, your engine warms up and lets you check the brakes at a safe speed. If everything is working how it's supposed to, then I want to congratulate you because you are done!

One last thing, many people online suggest "breaking in" the engine and then doing an oil change. I did this on one of my mini bikes and haven't on the others. I have never had an issue but it all comes down to what you think is best. Just take it easy for the first couple of rides and then you should be good to go.

Our Top Coleman Mini Bikes To Buy

I have compiled a small list of the best Coleman mini bikes you can buy now. Each one earned its place because of a few factors. Their size, versatility, comfort, and after market upgrades.