Mini bikes are a great option for many who want to hit the trails or just go for a joy ride without having to break the bank. There are a lot of mini bike options out there, but today we are going to talk about the Coleman CT200U.
If you are looking at buying your first mini bike, you probably want to take a good hard look at the CT200U. It’s design, performance, functionality and price make it one of the best mini bikes on the market, especially for a first time mini bike owner. Check out the rest of this post to take a more in depth look at what makes the CT200U such an appealing option.
Design
Let’s start with the design. The Coleman CT200U has an old school look to it that takes you back to the origins of mini bikes. It has a rigid steel tube frame and front forks, large off-road tires, a long seat and a lawn mower style engine. Some models are even equipped with front and back luggage racks. Coleman offers it in two colors, back or red.
The simple design of the Coleman CT200U no only looks good, but it also makes a lot of sense when it comes to maintenance. There are no shocks to go bad, no headlight bulbs to change and no battery to go dead. The engine is accessible from almost every angle, making it very easy to work on. All you need to do to take if for a ride is put gas and oil in it. This mini bike has exactly what you need, no more and no less.
Functionality
The smart design of the Coleman CT200U makes it very functional. It is one of the easiest mini bikes or vehicles for that matter to ride. It is equipped with a twist grip throttle on the right handlebar to accelerate and a brake lever on the left handle bar to stop. There is no shifting and no pedal brake or front brake to accidently grab when your going too fast.
The straightforward operation of the CT200U makes it a great bike for adults and children. Now it is recommended for children over the age of 13 and has a weight limit of 200 lbs. With that being said if you are looking for a mini bike for younger children, Coleman does offer the smaller CT100U model. And as for the weight limit, always listen to what the manufacturer recommends, but I have seen the CT200U handle far more than 200 lbs. without a problem.
Now where the CT200U really shines is off-road. This mini bike was designed for riding through rough trails. The large tires roll over large obstacles with ease and the engine provides plenty of low end power for putting around. We will get more into the specifics of the engine and performance below.
The tall handlebars and foot peg position make for a very comfortable riding position. However, the seat it pretty hard and leaves a little to be desired. Even with the hard seat, the CT200U is great for those long rides.
The bare-bones design of the CT200U means it doesn’t come with suspension. Now the large tires with low air pressure do provide some relief, but the rider can still feel the jolt of larger bumps in the road. The good news is, Coleman sells and after market front suspension kit for the CT200U that just bolts right on in only a few minutes.
Finally, many of the CT200U models include luggage racks that offer even more functionality. The front rack is pretty small, but could still come in useful for carrying a lunch box, water bottles or other small items. The rear rack is quite a bit larger and gives the riders the ability to carry some basic necessities on their next adventure.
Performance
The Coleman CT200U is dependable, fun to ride and when it comes to performance, it delivers. Let’s take a look at why, starting with the engine.
Engine
The CT200U comes with a Hisun 196cc engine with 6.5 hp. The stock engine has a governor that restricts the engine to 3600 rpms. Out of the box the CT200U can reach top speeds of 19-22 miles per hour depending on the rider, terrain and other variables. I weigh about 175 lbs. and the CT200U reached a top speed of 19.1 miles per hour on a relatively level asphalt road.
Top speed isn’t the only the only thing the mini bike is good for. The 6.5 hp four stroke engine combined with the 50 tooth sprocket provides the rider with the low end power needed when climbing steep hills and handling tough terrain.
Another benefit of this engine is the wide range of inexpensive aftermarket parts that are available. Everything from bolt on torque converters to replace the centrifugal clutch to carburetors to exhaust can be upgraded to increase it’s performance.
Knowing that the 196cc Hisun power mill was manufactured in China may make you questions it’s dependability. However, it has proven to be very dependable. The simple single cylinder design not only helps the engine’s reliability, it also makes it very easy to maintain.
Braking
The Coleman CT200U comes standard with a single sealed rear drum brake. The brake functions well and matches the old school vibe, but there is definitely room for improvement when it comes to the braking system. Replacing the rear drum brake with a disc brake and adding a front brake would greatly increase the bike’s stopping power.
Wheels and Tires
The CT200U is equipped with 19″ off-road tires, mounted on solid 8″ steel wheels. The wheels and tires are covered by a front and rear fender to protect the rider and engine from debris.
The 7″ wide, low pressure tires have a maximum tire pressure of 10psi. The low tire pressure and knobby off-road tread gives the CT200U great traction, even in slippery situations like mud and snow. The large tires also serve as suspension as mentioned above. Lowering the tire pressure can help increase the traction and provide a smoother ride.
Price
One of the biggest reasons the Coleman CT200U is such a great starter bike is the price point. It offers great value at a price range of $650-800 brand new. This is a pretty low entry point for a complete, ready to ride bike, especially when you consider the capabilities of the CT200U.
Many other competitor’s mini bikes start at $800 and can cost as much as $1,300. When you compare the CT200U to the cost of other off-road vehicles such as dirt bikes, ATVs and UTVs that can cost upwards of $10,000, it becomes pretty clear that Coleman has one of the most economic options available on the market.
Specifications
| Engine | Braking | ||
| Displacement | 196cc | Rear Brake Type | Drum |
| Starting | Recoil Cord | ||
| Spark Plug Type | CHDY – F7TC | Tires | |
| Cooling | Air cooled | Front Tire Size | AT19x7-8 |
| Ignition Type | T.C.I. | Rear Tire Size | AT19x7-8 |
| Cylinder Head Configuration | OHV | ||
| Number of Cylinders | Single | Dimensions and Weights | |
| Combustion Cycle | 4-stroke | Length | 57 in. (1450mm) |
| Bore and Stroke | 68 x 54mm | Height | 26.5 in. (680mm) |
| Compression Ratio | 8.5:1 | Width | 38 in. (960mm) |
| Carburetor | KERUIDI | Wheelbase | 42 in. (1050mm) |
| Rated Power | 3.8kw@3600rpm | Vehicle Weight | 121lbs (55 Kg) |
| Rated Torque | 11Nm@2500rpm | Weight Capacity | 200lbs (91 Kg) |
| Top Speed | 20mph (32km/h) | Ground Clearance | 6.5 in. (165mm) |
| Transmission | Fuel | ||
| Drive System Type | Chain Drive | Gas Tank Capacity | .95 gal (3.6L) |
| Gear Ratio | 10:1 | Fuel Type | Unleaded (90 Octane or higher) |
| Centrifugal Clutch | |||
| Oil | |||
| Oil Capacity | .63 qt. (.6L) | ||
| Oil Type | SAE 10W-30 |
Conclusion
Coleman got a it right with the CT200U. There are other mini bikes that are faster, have better suspension and have all around better performance, but you have to pay for it. If you are looking for something to get into riding for the first time or just to get around your property, the Coleman CT200U might be the perfect fit. It is fun to ride, easy to maintain, very capable and won’t drain your bank account.