| |
| |
|
|
Motorcycle Information |
|
|
|
The Buzz is All About Mini-Motorcycles
Pocket bikes are miniature motorcycles -- powered, for the most part, by oil- and gas-burning engines similar to those used in chain saws, weed whackers or other small motorized tools -- and they look just like the real thing. The snazziest models cost thousands and are made in Italy, but the ones that are selling by the container load run from $200 to $500. They come from China, among other places, and are getting snapped up by eager teenagers and, in some cases, not-so-teenagers. At Broadtek LLC, a South San Francisco firm that imports them, the cardboard cartons containing the small bikes are stacked to the ceiling of a tall warehouse and are quickly going out the door to eager customers. In Walnut Creek, Eric Rahin, owner of Sonic Scooterz, says he's selling them in droves -- "from college students to people in their late 50s. It's basically a toy to have some fun with." Manufacturers say the bikes are supposed to be used only on closed race tracks, private roads or any other place where there are no public traffic laws and, more important, no big cars or trucks to run into you. Many buyers follow that advice. But now you see some of these new pocket bikes zinging in and out of parking lots, up and down residential streets and, occasionally into the side of a car. And therein lies the rub. "It's very difficult for a driver (of a car) to see one on those bikes, because of their low height," said San Francisco police Lt. Kitt Crenshaw. "We've had several accidents in the last few weeks, and people went to the hospital." The pocket bikes have a top speed of about 35 mph, but can be souped up to go faster. They evolved from tiny but highly sophisticated racing bikes that campaign on European race tracks and are sometimes used as training vehicles for Grand Prix motorcycle racers. The bikes are faithful imitations of popular normal-size street motorcycles, which, for marketing reasons, are faithful imitations of pure race bikes, down to the disk brakes, handlebars, chain drives, twist-grip throttles and electronic ignition. The little bikes weigh about 50 pounds, stand about a foot and a half high and can easily be put in the trunk of a car. They have tiny engines -- 47cc or 49cc displacement, less than 1/20th the size of a big motorcycle. And they are enticing. "It's a fun little thing to ride," said Matt Damon, a 21-year-old salesman in a Martinez pet store. "It's a whole lot cheaper than a $6,000 or $7,000 big bike. For years now, I've been riding different types of motorcycles, but it's more like the small bikes are a fun thing, instead of just transportation. And it's easier to maintain and burns less gas." But Damon did admit, "I took it for a ride down the street and got pulled over. The officer was kind of nice about it. But I got a ticket." Police departments in the Bay Area and elsewhere in California have been cracking down on the little two-wheelers, saying they are a major accident waiting to happen. No police agency could come up with information about any deaths caused by pocket bike crashes, but police want them off the public roads before the inevitable happens. "Their numbers are starting to increase," said Milpitas police Officer Jay Johnson, who was assigned by his department to look into the phenomenon and ultimately write about it for the weekly Milpitas Post. "Most of the complaints we're getting is that drivers can't see them or there'll be a group of them racing, or they're running stop signs." For a while, though, until Johnson began studying up on the subject, and the California Highway Patrol sent out a memo clarifying just what is and what is not legal about the bikes, confusion seemed to be paramount. In fact, it shouldn't be. On many bikes, there's a decal right there on the gas tank that says these things do not conform to "federal motor vehicle safety standards." After a lengthy consult with the state Vehicle Code and the Department of Motor Vehicles, the CHP explained that the bikes do not meet a number of standards required for all vehicles registered in California -- the most telling example being the stipulation that "headlamp height (be) between 22 and 54 inches." Technical problems aside, it's the safety issue that concerns authorities. "We're really concerned about these things mixing with traffic," said CHP spokesman Steve Kohler. "If you think about it, something that small is difficult to see, when it's mixed in with cars, trucks and buses. Drivers don't even see full-size motorcycles. There's no way they're going to see these things." Or, as David Edwards, editor in chief of Cycle World Magazine and a man who puts about 20,000 miles a year on motorcycles, said: "When you get out in city traffic, you'll be at more risk than on a full-size motorcycle. But they only hold (a little) gas, so you won't go too far. And they're noisy as hell, so at least people will hear you coming if not see you coming." - Michael Taylor, Chronicle Staff Writer Wednesday, June 16, 2004
MORE RESOURCES:
Motorcycles - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Kids Like to Ride Motorcycles Too Roaring up on a motorcycle has a strong draw for all of us who have adopted the biker lifestyle. This draw often hits our children too. A Great Motorcycle Ride in Mexico: Queretaro A beautiful ride across cities and places named World Heritage by the Unesco, through an splendid protected natural area and ending in a surrealistic garden by artist Sir Edward James. Just keep reading. Fuel Cells Motorcycles, Trucks, Tanks, ATVs and Fire Hazards from Heat Exchanges We have heard a whole lot of talk about fuel cells and of course it is a worthy endeavor. Portable generators, cars, transportation industry, Power generators, Ships, etc. Necessity of Motorcycle Parts If you are one of the many people who consider your bike as invaluable as your family, then we know you're head over heels. We may be judged heavily for this perception but you might even be willing to dump your partner just so you could spend time riding and caring for your bike? though, we hope you are not that obsessed. Do You Need a Part for Your Harley Davidson Motorcycle? Need a Harley Davidson Part for your ride?Where do you get a good quality Harley Davidson Part? Can I use an aftermarket part?These questions are not easy to answer. It depends a lot on your situation, part you're looking for, and the money you want to spend. Motorcycle Accidents: Preparing Your Case Motorcycle accident is an unexpected occurrence that results to shock and trauma, serious physical injuries and death. The most common reason of a motorcycle accident, which contributed to the 50% of the motorcycle vehicle, is due to the failure of another motorist to see the motorcycle. 5 Steps To A Better Motorcycle Loan With A Better Credit Score It is common knowledge that motorcycle lenders base high importance on your FICO credit scores when approving motorcycle loans. However, what many people overlook is that their FICO credit score can highly impact the term on their motorcycle loan along with the interest rate that is assigned to the motorcycle loan. How To Make Your Own Vintage Motor Cycle & Automotive Spare Parts Vintage Car & Motorcycle restoration enthusiasts all share one thing in common.. Personal Scooters are Not Just for Fun Personal scooters are a highly valuable mobility tool for those who, for health reasons, are unable to move around in public or in their own homes. They can ease the burden of having to carry things like heavy groceries or other personal effects. Yamaha Motorcycles - Creativity and Spirit of Challenge "If you are going to do something, be the best" Ginichi Kawakami, Yamaha Motor Company First President.Yamaha Motorcycles, under this motto, employing all its creativity, and with a very strong spirit of challenge, became what it is now: one of the biggest players in the worldwide motorcycling scene. Save Money on Used Motorcycle Parts For every motorcycle enthusiast, it is indeed very taxing to maintain bikes as good as new - its engine running and all its other parts functioning. We know for a fact that it's not only for the sake of transportation but also for a little satisfaction of our vanity - seeing everyone admire us, atop an excellent piece of machine. The Buzz is All About Mini-Motorcycles Pocket bikes are miniature motorcycles -- powered, for the most part, by oil- and gas-burning engines similar to those used in chain saws, weed whackers or other small motorized tools -- and they look just like the real thing.The snazziest models cost thousands and are made in Italy, but the ones that are selling by the container load run from $200 to $500. People Are Crazy... and Everyone Is A Racer ?And everyone is a racer. If you doubt that, you've obviously never driven in New York City during rush hour. Motorcycle Parts - OEM or Aftermarket ? This is always a difficult one to answer when shopping for motorcycle parts and I firmly believe that each one of us must decide what's best for our bikes AFTER carefully evaluating each of the possibilities.For me?Well. The Motorcycle Helmet You Want May Not Be As Safe As You Think! Choosing the right Motorcycle helmet can make a difference?.?. Trackdays - Get the Maximum Enjoyment from Your Time on the Track Many motorcyclists want to take their bikes onto the track and trackdays are the ideal environment. If you have never been on a track before the experience can feel daunting so here are a number of tips to help make your trackday enjoyable. Common Mistakes Motorcycle Buyers Make When Looking For a Motorcycle Loan Whether interest rates are high or low or it's the end of a model year with lots of incentives, motorcycle buyers tend to make the same mistakes when shopping for a motorcycle loan. Here are four common mistakes motorcycle buyers make with motorcycle loans. Women and Motorcycles? You Bet! To really understand the women and her ride, one needs to go back in history to explore the courageous women who defied the norm and road their horses in the freedom of the wind. Who could forget Joan of Arc or Annie Oakley. Online Shopping for Motorcycle Accessories When shopping for a certain item and material, the way to do it is to shop like a woman. Who else knows how to shop till they drop but women, right? Isn't it that husbands, partners, spouses and lovers often complain about the amount of time and the energy given to shopping by their women even for just one item they need?But who else gets the most of their budget, and takes home the item of high grade quality at the least price possible? Women. How Do You Make Your Harley Davidson Look And Feel Like An Extension Of Yourself! How do you make your Harley Davidson look and feel like an extension of yourself!Do you think maybe it's time to do a little customizing for that old girl of yours? Ask yourself this first.Why do we customize and add accessories to our Harley?Well, for me it's simple!We want to stand out above all else! The last thing we want is to look like every Tom, Dick, and Harry out there on the road!You may have different reasons.
|
| home | site map |
| ©BuyGreenScooters.com, 2008 |
