-
What exactly is a pocket
bike/minimoto?
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How do pocket bikes handle
in comparison to a full size
motorcycle?
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I'm a concerned parent, are
pocket bikes safe for my
children?
-
Where should pocket bikes be
ridden?
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How fast do pocket bikes go?
-
Do pocket bikes accelerate
quickly?
-
I've heard there are a
couple of power bands, what
does this mean?
-
How much does protection
gear cost?
-
What additional protection
does Planet Minimotos
recommend?
-
I understand that 2 cycle
engines are high
maintenance, are these
engines dependable?
-
How hard is it acquire
additional parts and
accessories?
-
How do I mix gas and oil for
my pocketbike?
-
What oil is the best to use
in my pocket bike?
-
Will my pocket bike operate
on pump gas?
-
I understand some engines
are water-cooled, do they
require antifreeze or just
water?
-
Are pocket bike replacement
parts expensive?
-
Is it really as fun as it
looks?
What exactly is a pocket
bike/minimoto?
A pocket bike is a miniature GP
Racing motorcycle. It stands
about 15 to 18 inches high
depending on the model and brand
weighing anywhere from 35 to 55
pounds. pocket bike Racing is a
rapidly growing sport for both
children and adults, and by
their nature are just pure fun
to ride. Although they may
appear to look like toys, our
minimotos are built to high
quality standards of accuracy
and proportion of a the world
class GP bike.
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How do pocket bikes handle in
comparison to a full size
motorcycle?
A pocket bike handles much like
a larger motorcycle, but because
the wheelbase and weight are
much less, it changes direction
quicker. The front wheel of the
more powerful pocket bike models
can rise up without hesitation
with the application of power;
also due to the short wheelbase,
they can turn very quickly. This
in most peoples opinion adds to
the fun factor, but demands that
the rider has protective
clothing, and is familiar with
the bike in question.
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I'm a concerned parent, are
pocket bikes safe for my
children?
Any performance-oriented machine
can be inherently dangerous,
especially if operated by a
non-adult. In this circumstance
a pocket bike is no exception.
Most pocket bikes are geared for
speeds of up to 40 MPH or more.
A pocket bike can be safely
operated by someone over the age
of 7 years old, however only
when supervised by a responsible
adult. As in any circumstance,
proper safety equipment is
essential and should be made to
fit properly to whatever age and
/ or size the rider is.
Restrictors are available for
pocket bikes that can help
govern top speeds.
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Where should pocket bikes be
ridden?
A pocket bike should never be
ridden on the street. It should
only be ridden on hard surfaces
with no traffic. With
permission, a large parking lot
or other privately paved area
can be an ideal place to ride.
Always be aware of your local
laws pertaining to this type of
recreational activity. Laws can
and may vary depending on which
state or country you live in.
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How fast do pocket bikes go?
Most pocket bikes will
accelerate quickly to about
forty five miles per hour. The
speed can be modified more or
less depending on optional
performance upgrades and
sprocket sizes.
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Do pocket bikes accelerate
quickly?
Yes! However this may not be
true for all pocket bikes, some
are known to have fantastic
acceleration speeds. Be warned,
there is a huge difference when
comparing to lower cost bikes.
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I've
heard there are a couple of
power bands, what does this
mean?
Two stroke engines by design
generate a lot of power, this is
due in part to the power stroke
that occurs with each rotation
of the crankshaft. Typically, a
two cycle engine can make much
more power than its four cycle
counterpart due to its small
cubic inch displacement; The
smaller stroke (length of piston
movement) causes higher engine
speeds, resulting in higher
output. This in turn produces a
power band that may not be as
controllable as the four stroke
engines. The high powered
engines can tend to come on
strong with a half throttle
acceleration, after the speed is
stabilized, an additional
acceleration increase will bring
on second power surge.
Ultimately meaning that the bike
can perform a wheelie at twenty
five miles an hour or more.
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Why should I buy a Planet
Minimotos pocket bike over a
less expensive bike. What's the
difference?
All bikes are not created equal.
The most obvious of these
differences can be seen in
power. In comparison the pocket
bikes performance greatly
outstrips the purchasing price
difference between other bike
brands. In the end, you get what
you pay for.
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How much does protection gear
cost?
Prices can vary depending on the
level of protection that you
desire as a rider. Regardless of
this level, we highly recommend
that all riders should wear a
good helmet, gloves, riding
jacket, riding pants or jeans
with knee sliders and high top
shoes. Most racers wear full
racing suits, safety is vital to
the health of both the driver
and the sport, and should be a
primary concern. Feel free to
visit our apparel category for
additional information and
pricing details on riding
apparel.
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What additional protection gear
does Planet Minimotos recommend?
When considering extra
protection you must consider all
areas that might be injured if
you became separated from the
bike at speeds. Usually this
means helmet, gloves, riding
jacket, riding pants or jeans
with knee sliders and high top
shoes. In addition to these
basic items we recommend leather
motorcycle riding apparel when
racing or riding at high speeds.
More than one person has
suffered road rash in
embarrassing spots when thrown
off during a wheelie.
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I
understand that 2 cycle engines
are high maintenance, are
these engines dependable?
A 2-cycle engine operates at
higher speeds and higher
temperatures than a 4-cycle
engine. A water cooled option
can help to regulate the
temperature, and can potentially
increase cylinder life. However
the 4-stroke has a complicated
valve system that is expensive
to repair. In a bottom line
assessment, a 2 stroke may need
a cylinder replacement every
couple of years with hard
riding, but this is not very
costly. We offer replacement
parts that are both inexpensive
and easy to install, ultimately
saving the customer money in the
long run.
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How hard is it to acquire
additional parts and accessories?
All parts and accessories can be
obtained through most pocket
bike vendors, such as Planet
Minimotos, which covers the
entire spectrum of parts. We
provide each and every part
available for a bike, and can
normally have them shipped the
same day.
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How do I mix Gas and Oil for my
pocket bike?
The standard engine mixing ratio
for Gas and Oil is 50 to 1,
however some brands of pocket
bikes using off brand engines
may need a mixing ratio for Gas
to Oil at 25 to 1. Be sure to
read your owners manual before
fueling your pocket bike. A new
engine should have a richer
mixture of 40 to 1 for the first
tank of fuel to help with proper
break in. Do not use a mixture
of less than 40 to 1 as it will
be too rich and may foul the
spark plug.
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What oil is best to use in my
pocket bike?
We recommend any quality name
brand 2 cycle oil (pre-mixed),
which can be found any
motorcycle / ATV store.
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Will my pocket bike operate on
pump gas?
Yes, however we recommend the
use of fresh premium pump gas.
Do not use any gas that has been
stored for more than 2 weeks. A
commonly used best practice is
to mix only the necessary
fuel/oil for the duration of
riding for that day or weekend.
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I
understand some engines are
water-cooled, do they
require antifreeze or just
water?
You should only use water in
water-cooled engines. Insuring
that they are drained during the
winter season to avoid freezing.
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Are pocket bike replacement
parts expensive?
No. Most pocket bike parts are
reasonably priced and
inexpensive to purchase.
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Is it really as fun as it looks?
No. It's MUCH more fun than it
looks!
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