The Complete Guide to Gas Powersports
Gas powersports cover a lot of ground. A four-year-old's first mini kart and a six-seat 4x4 side-by-side are both "powersports," and so are a 50cc city scooter and a 250cc dual sport dirt bike. That range is exactly why shopping the category can feel overwhelming: before you can choose a model, you have to choose the right kind of machine.
Our gas powersports lineup includes 107 machines from TrailMaster, Tao Motor, and Arrowy Racing, every one in stock, from $1,049 to $11,499. This guide is designed to get you to the right category quickly. Once you're there, each subcollection has its own detailed guide to help you pick a specific model. If you'd rather talk it through, contact our experts or call (888) 884-2234.
Start With Three Questions
Almost every good powersports purchase comes down to three answers.
Who's riding? A child, a teen, an adult, or several people at once? Age, size, and experience narrow the field faster than anything else.
Where will you ride? A backyard, acreage or a farm, off-road trails, a track, or public roads? Some machines are strictly off-road; a few are built for the street.
What's it for? Pure fun, learning a skill, work around the property, hunting, commuting, or time together as a family?
Keep your answers in mind as you read the categories below. Usually one or two will stand out right away.
The Five Categories
Gas Go Karts — 30 models, $1,049 to $6,299
Four wheels, a steering wheel, a seat belt, and often a roll cage. Go karts are the most familiar machine for new drivers of any age, because they work like a small car. Our lineup runs from 80cc mini karts for ages 4 and up, with parental remote controls and remote kill switches, through mid-size karts for ages 7 to 12, to full-size 200cc and 300cc dune buggies with CVT automatics, fuel injection, and seating for up to four. There's even a chromoly-frame competition kart for adults who want to race.
Best for: young kids, families, and anyone who'd rather sit and steer than balance.
Gas ATVs & UTVs — 25 models, $1,049 to $11,499
ATVs (quads) are ridden straddle-style by one person and handle trails, rough ground, and chores. UTVs (side-by-sides) add a steering wheel, seat belts, a protective frame, and room for two to six people plus cargo. This collection runs from 110cc youth quads with remote shut-off and speed governors, through 150cc to 200cc sport and utility ATVs for adults, to 4x4 side-by-sides with high/low gearing.
Best for: farm and property work, hunting, trail riding, and families who want to ride together.
Gas Dirt Bikes — 34 models, $1,149 to $4,199
The most athletic option, rewarding balance, body position, and skill. Our lineup covers the full learning path: automatic and semi-automatic beginner bikes, small- and mid-framed youth bikes, 125cc to 160cc pit bikes, full-size 223cc to 250cc trail bikes with five- and six-speed transmissions, and dual sports built for both dirt and back roads.
Best for: riders who want to build real skills, trail riders, and anyone drawn to the challenge of two wheels.
Gas Scooters — 15 models, $1,099 to about $1,976
The only category here built primarily for the road. Scooters range from 50cc city mopeds for short neighborhood trips to 150cc models with more power for faster local roads, plus 175cc fuel-injected sport mopeds styled like small motorcycles. Most use twist-and-go CVT automatics. Licensing and registration depend on your state and engine size.
Best for: commuting, errands, and getting around town cheaply.
Mini Bikes — 3 models, $1,149 to $1,399
Simple, low, and endlessly fun. Our TrailMaster mini bikes, the Monster Dog II, Hurricane 200X, and Hurricane 200X PRO, all use a 196cc, 6.5hp engine with a torque converter, so there's no clutch or shifting.
Best for: relaxed backyard and property riding, and newer riders who want an easy introduction to two wheels.
Choosing by Rider
Young children (roughly 4 to 9). Start on four wheels. Mini go karts with parental remote controls give kids the thrill of driving while keeping a parent in control. Youth ATVs with remote shut-off are another option for kids ready to ride.
Older kids (roughly 7 to 12). Mid-size go karts, 120cc to 125cc youth ATVs, and automatic or small-framed youth dirt bikes all fit here. Let the child's interest guide you: driving, riding a quad, or learning to balance on two wheels.
Teens. The field opens up. Full-size buggies, adult-sized ATVs, pit bikes, and automatic or semi-automatic 125cc dirt bikes all suit teen riders, depending on experience. Follow manufacturer age ratings; for ATVs, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that children under 16 not ride adult-sized models.
Adults. Anything in the lineup, depending on purpose: buggies and side-by-sides for fun with passengers, utility ATVs and UTVs for work, full-size dirt bikes for trail riding, scooters for getting around, and mini bikes for easy fun.
Families. Multi-seat machines like four-seat buggies and four- or six-seat UTVs let everyone ride together. Many families also combine a small machine for the youngest with a larger one for everyone else.
Whatever the age, the fit test is the same: the rider should reach the controls comfortably and, on anything with two wheels, get their feet to the ground.
Choosing by Place
A backyard or small lot. Mini karts, mini bikes, and youth machines suit smaller spaces. Gas engines are loud, so consider neighbors and local noise rules. If noise is a concern, look at electric powersports.
Acreage or a farm. Utility ATVs and UTVs earn their keep here, doubling as work machines and recreation. Buggies and dirt bikes make the most of open space too.
Trails and off-highway vehicle areas. ATVs, UTVs, and dirt bikes are built for these. Many public trail systems require registration or permits, so check before you go.
Tracks. Competition karts like the Arrowy Racing GR 1 belong on paved tracks; dirt bikes and pit bikes suit motocross and practice tracks.
Public roads. Scooters, and dual sport dirt bikes where your state allows registration. Everything else in this lineup is an off-road machine.
Two Wheels or Four?
Four wheels (go karts, ATVs, UTVs) are more stable at rest, easier for beginners, and better for passengers and cargo. Karts and UTVs add seat belts and roll protection.
Two wheels (dirt bikes, mini bikes, scooters) are lighter, easier to transport and store, and more engaging to ride, but they demand balance and take longer to learn.
Neither is better. Choose the one that matches the rider and the riding.
Features That Matter Across Categories
A handful of features show up throughout the lineup and make a real difference in everyday use.
Automatic transmissions. CVTs, torque converters, and automatic gearboxes remove clutch and shifting from the learning curve. Common on go karts, ATVs, scooters, mini bikes, and beginner dirt bikes.
Reverse. Invaluable on four-wheel machines for backing out of tight spots.
Electric start. A push button instead of a pull cord or kickstarter, which matters most for kids and cold mornings.
Electronic fuel injection (EFI). Easier cold starts, better running at altitude, and no carburetor problems from stored fuel. Found on many buggies, UTVs, some dirt bikes, and the 175cc scooters.
Youth safety controls. Remote kill switches, parental remote controls, and speed governors let parents stay in control of young riders.
Roll cages and seat belts. Standard on full-size buggies and UTVs.
Liquid cooling. Steadier engine temperatures under hard use, found on 300cc buggies and some UTVs.
Brakes. Hydraulic and disc brakes stop harder and more consistently than drum or mechanical setups.
Each subcollection guide explains these features in more depth for that category.
Gas or Electric?
Gas offers more power, longer range, and quick refueling. It's the right choice for larger properties, work, longer rides, older riders, and anyone who doesn't want to plan around charging.
Electric is quieter, needs far less maintenance, and often includes adjustable power modes that make learning easier. It's a strong choice for young kids, neighborhood backyards, and noise-sensitive areas.
Compare our electric powersports, including electric dirt bikes, electric ATVs, electric go karts, electric scooters, and electric bikes. Many families end up with both.
Riding Safely
Wear a helmet every time. DOT-certified, for every rider and passenger.
Dress for it. Eye protection, gloves, over-the-ankle boots, and long sleeves and pants. Add body armor for dirt bikes and faster riding.
Buckle up. On karts and UTVs, everyone wears a seat belt.
No unintended passengers. Single-rider ATVs, dirt bikes, and mini bikes are for one person.
Match the machine to the rider. Follow the manufacturer's age and weight ratings.
Supervise young riders. Always, and use the youth safety controls these machines provide.
Know the rules. Check where you're allowed to ride and what registration or licensing applies.
Browse helmets and gear in our off-road accessories.
Owning a Gas Machine
Fuel. The machines in our lineup run on regular unleaded gasoline with no oil mixing. Use fresh fuel.
Routine maintenance. Oil changes on schedule, air filter cleaning, tire pressure checks, brake inspections, and chain care on chain-driven machines. Liquid-cooled models need coolant checks.
Winter storage. In Nebraska, most machines sit for part of the year. Add fuel stabilizer or drain the fuel, keep the battery on a maintainer, clean the machine, and store it somewhere dry. Stale fuel is the most common cause of spring starting problems, especially on carbureted engines.
Space and transport. Measure your garage or shed, and think about how you'll haul the machine. Dirt bikes and mini bikes fit in a truck bed; buggies and UTVs usually need a trailer.
Delivery. Units ship directly to your door. Some ship crated with setup required, while others, like the TrailMaster Sorrento 150cc scooter, arrive fully assembled. Check each product page for details.
The Brands
TrailMaster makes up most of our gas lineup, with 73 machines spanning go karts, dune buggies, ATVs, UTVs, dirt bikes, scooters, and mini bikes. Its range is especially strong in youth safety features and in feature-rich buggies and side-by-sides.
Tao Motor contributes 33 machines, with particular depth in youth ATVs and dirt bikes offered in multiple frame sizes, plus go karts, scooters, and a compact UTV.
We also carry Coolster 200cc ATVs, the Jeep-styled GoKarts USA Willys kart, and the Arrowy Racing GR 1 competition kart.
Price Overview
- Go karts: $1,049 to $6,299
- ATVs and UTVs: $1,049 to $11,499
- Dirt bikes: $1,149 to $4,199
- Scooters: $1,099 to about $1,976
- Mini bikes: $1,149 to $1,399
Every machine in the collection is currently in stock.
Explore by Category
Still not sure where to start? Contact our experts or call (888) 884-2234 with the rider's age, size, and experience, where you'll ride, and what the machine is for, and we'll point you to the right category and model.
