3. Honda XR75
Despite its styling, the Honda XR75 was never intended to be a full-blown motocross mini, but it was practically predestined to become one of the 10 coolest minibikes of all time.
The company’s baby thumper was a hit right from the start with aspiring young dirtbike racers as well as kids who just wanted something ride in the local sand lot. As fast as any minibike in its class, two-stroke or four-stroke, the XR75 quickly gained a reputation as a rock-solid and reliable mini racer, garnering National Minicycle Association motocross championships in the hands of such riders as Jeff Ward and Brian Myerscough, who both went on to successful professional careers.
First introduced in 1973, the XR75 was equipped just like a big bike. Its easy-riding nature and manual clutch taught riders the proper way to shift a motorcycle transmission. Early XRs were four speeds, but the XR75 gained a five-speed transmission when it was updated in 1977 with new carb, new cam and longer travel suspension. Honda later offered the XR80R, which was the same basic platform as the XR75R it replaced.
Today, clean, stock XR75s are hard to find and highly sought after. If you find one, snag it. If you happen to find a beater, plenty of companies still offer performance parts to turn any XR75 into a peppy, cool-looking pit bike. You can’t go wrong.
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