Pocket Bikes
History of the Pocket Bike
A father in Italy first created the minibike or the pocket bike for his son. He made the miniature motorcycle out of old bits and bobs which he found lying around the place, despite being very basic it went on to become a large craze. Soon after this most people began building their own mini motorcycles. In the beginning these bikes were popularly called “pit bikes” because they could maneuver very well in tight roads and they could also sit in about the same place as a trailer or a pickup. Not only this, these bikes were also faster than most previous forms of transportation.
Soon after this a whole market developed for minibikes and many cottage and major industries developed to meet the increasing demand. Today, they have evolved into distinct specialized types of minibikes of course with the same concept.
Pocket Bike
A pocket bike or minibike is a miniaturized version of a motorcycle. The traditional minibikes usually use four stroke motors that power a chain to turn the rear wheel. There are some models that use two stroke motors although electric-powered models are also available in the market today. These 2-stroke motors produce a loud, whining buzz and are a more polluting cloud of smoke as exhaust, if it is not properly tuned.
These bikes have been selling really fast and belong to a class of their own.
Types of Bikes
Minimoto
These bikes look like sports bikes and are used to race on tracks that are used for kart racing.
Pit Bikes
Pit bikes are used to quickly move around in the pit areas of motor racing events and tracks. These bikes look like motocross motorcycles and are used in some motocross competitions.
Mini choppers
These are minibikes that look like choppers.
Parts of a Pocket Bike
It is important to remember that to keep your bike running smoothly the worn out parts have to be replaced with new ones.
A pocket bike has many different parts. The vital ones are tires, axles, wheels, chains, tanks, pistons, engines, brake parts, carburetors, throttle units, gas tanks and cylinders. Other essential ingredients that boost the power of pocket bikes are high-velocity chrome stacks and high-performance air filters. Among the accessories there is chrome racing pipes, mufflers and a whole lot of other accessories available in the market.
These bikes are convenient and fun and can be easily carried in the arms. Gas-powered engines power up the pocket bikes. Features like the racing tires, disc brakes, fairings and light-weight aluminum alloy cast perimeter frames and swing arms can be added to a pocket bike.
All these parts have an important role to play in the proper functioning of a pocket bike.
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ATV and Dirt Bike Safety for Kids: Things Every Parent Should Do
The thrill the riding dirt bikes and ATVs brings plus the proliferation of stores that sell cheap dirt bikes and ATVs have meant that it is now common to see parents buy dirt bikes and ATVs for their young kids as Christmas gifts. Here are some tips parents can follow to ensure their safety.
"Since its introduction in the 1960s, the ATV has evolved to become not only a very effective farm tool but also a popular outdoor recreational vehicle. The thrill the sport brings plus the proliferation of stores that sell cheap dirt bikes and ATVs have meant that it is now common to see parents buy dirt bikes and ATVs for their young kids.
Despite the fact that we regularly see other seven or eight year olds riding them almost effortlessly, irresponsible riding of dirt bikes and ATVs could cause injuries to your child. In the U.S. for example, a U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that 4 out of 10 people rushed to emergency rooms for ATV-related injuries are aged 16 and below.
Fortunately, parents can keep their children free from injuries stemming from the use of dirt bikes and ATVs by simply following simple safety rules. Here are some of them:
Before your child even goes near an ATV or a dirt bike, be sure to give him or her lessons on how to properly and safely handle the machines. When teaching them how to ride, be sure that they understand how driving a dirt bike is different from riding an ordinary bicycle and that however fun they are, dirt bikes and ATVs are not toys but machines to be handles with care.
Tell them how laws (e.g. no riding of ATVs on highways) were created for a reason and then emphasize how he needs to follow them strictly for his or her safety. Make sure you familiarize your kids with all the laws related to riding the vehicles.
Always check the condition of your kids’ ATV or dirt bike before you let him or her ride it. Make sure that there is enough gas on the tank, the brakes are working, the tires are filled with the proper amount of air and the lights are functioning.
Dirt bikes and ATVs were meant to be ridden by just one person at a time, so never let your child have somebody ride with him/her on the same ATV or dirt bike. This affects the vehicle’s balance and increases the risk of an accident happening.
Never let them ride on public roadsnot only is this illegal in most areas, it is also very, very dangerous as well.
Always ensure that your kids wear all the proper protective gear like gloves, goggles, boots, jackets and most importantly, helmets. Also, remember that there are safety equipments designed especially for riding ATVs and dirt bikes and those used by your kids for other activities, most often than not, offer inadequate protection (e.g. the helmets used for bicycling for example, do not offer protection for the face).
Be sure that the size and speed of the ATV or dirt bike your kid rides on is appropriate for their age. It is recommended that those age 6-11 ride vehicles under 70cc while those aged 12-15 should ride 70-90 cc engines.
Never let the younger kids ride out alone. Always have an adult, riding on another vehicle of course, supervise them to ensure their safety.
Some question whether buying kids dirt bikes and ATVs is a wise idea. Yes, these vehicles are powerful machines whose misuse could lead to accidents and injuries, but as long as they are driven responsibly and precautionary measures are taken, ATVs and dirt bikes are safe to use.
Maraya Mullen is a copywriter affiliated with Mud, Sweat and Gears, a store that offers a wide variety of dirt bikes and ATVs. They have ATVs and mini kids dirt bikes for young riders as well as powerful adult motorcycles. Visit their site for more information on how you could get cheap dirt bikes and ATVs.
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