Pocket bikes are a growing phenomenon that have been sweeping the nation. If you haven’t heard of them yet, pocket bikes are basically mini motorcycles about two feet tall. When you first see one you might think they are for kids but adults ride them all the time. Because they are so small you must sit down bow-legged in a very awkward looking position. They still have all the features of a normal motorcycle: headlights, mirrors, threaded tires, body panels, and suspension systems.
Mini pocket bikes come in either gas or electric type engines. Gas pocket bikes are much more powerful than their electric counterparts and can come in either two stroke or four stroke. Two stroke is the standard for most bikes with four stroke mostly reserved for the racing variety of pocket bikes. Gas mini pocket bikes can weigh as much as 90 pounds and are slightly harder to maneuver with than the lighter electric type.
A gas pocket bike defiantly isn’t recommended for kids and should only be used with adult supervision, even for teenagers. They can go fast enough to cause serious injury if you’re not careful (up to 80 mph for racing pocket bikes). They also don’t have any of the extra safety features. A helmet and protective gear is recommended.
Although stock pocket bikes don’t go all that fast you can modify them to go much faster. With the proper modifications you can raise the average speed of about 30 mph to well over 40 mph. Higher quality mini bikes will go even faster.
To legally ride any variety of pocket bikes you might need a motorcycle license in some states or counties. In some others they are just considered like mopeds or small scooters and don’t need a license. And in others you can’t even ride them on the streets because they are considered dangerous. So before you go out and buy a cheap pocket bike you should check the laws in your county and make sure that you mini pocket bike is street legal.
Benefits Of Gas Pocket Bikes
One of the great things about pocket bikes is their small size. If you opt to get a mini pocket bike you can store them right in your garage without taking up any space at all. They fit in the bed of a truck easily and in trunk of some cars. Even larger gas powered pocket bikes don’t take up much room. But their small size isn’t the only reason to own a pocket bike.
Another great feature of gas pocket bikes is their low cost. You can find them from as low as $200 for a cheap Chinese knockoff to over $900 for a quality racing pocket bike. Better brands like Blata or Polini will of course cost more but generally it is worth it. The cheap knockoffs only last so long and wear out fairly fast. Also they won’t perform as well as a higher quality brand.
Disadvantages Of Gas Pocket Bikes
When compared to electric powered pocket bikes, gas mini bikes are very noisy, much more so than even a higher cc scooter. Also because many gas powered pocket bikes are two stroke, they pollute a fair amount. If you get a four stroke gas pocket bike it’s not nearly as much of an issue though.
Vibration can also be an issue for gas pocket bikes, especially the cheaper brands. Even at low speeds they can shake and vibrate something nasty with a Chinese import pocket bike. That’s why it’s always recommend to spend the extra cash for a better brand. It’s almost always worth it just in repair costs alone.