Pocket Bikes

[Bruce Brown]

Which are the best makes? Best value, quality, dealers, contacts, forums, club racing.

[RickM]

FWIW, I see them all over the place but none are of any recognizable brand. Seems lots are coming in from China and many are selling out of the back of a truck. Kind of like all the Razor scooter knockoffs that were prevalent a couple of years ago.

They certainly are cheap though.

I'd be interested in knowing of a reputable brand as well.

[Bruce Huling]

THE Bruce Brown of "on any sunday" fame??
bh

[kmhemi]

I bought one of the big super pocket bikes today. 600 bucks. It's alot nicer than most I have seen.

[MotoSook]

Blata was the original pocket bike, and they seem to demand a higher price than the crop of Taiwanese or Chinese bikes. You could also look for a used Yamaha YSR or Honda NR50. Those were the original pocket bikes if you ask me (not old enough to know anything beyond 1980! OK!) They are larger than the pocket bikes sold these days. They even race them, and I think Honda still makes the NR50. Those bikes can go much faster than the pocket bikes.

[yetidave]

"and I think Honda still makes the NR50. Those bikes can go much faster than the pocket bikes."

Its NSR50. They dont make 'em anymore, but I'll sell you mine.

[williecoyote]

IMO the Italian bikes are the best. GRC makes a very nice one. If you search "minimoto", you should find more information.

[kmhemi]

I got one wit the CVT transmission setup. I liked it alot better than the others. True, Italian bikes ARE the best but they are three times the price too. I can't justify anymore than I spent on these things.....I don't even have a kid to give it too.......

[kach22i]

Are these bikes street legal? Are they safe? Who services them, where do you get parts?

They are cool looking, but might be best on a closed track like a go-kart.

What do you guys know about this topic? I know zip, willing to learn.

[kmhemi]

they are not street legal although some states tolerate them for now. Mine has brake lights and turn signals too. It will run about 45mph and seems safe to me. I have the biggest one you can buy right now. As far as service goes, they are simple to work on and parts are everywhere. There are tons of places on the net selling parts. The place I bought mine does service them but I can probably fix more things than they can. A new piston and rings for them is like 30 bucks and I see new carbs for 20. There are picton and cylinder kits now that take them up to 52cc. The 4 stroke bikes havent caught on yet but they are popping up around here. same bikes just 49cc 4 strokers.

[lendaddy]

Originally posted by yetidave
"and I think Honda still makes the NR50. Those bikes can go much faster than the pocket bikes."

Its NSR50. They dont make 'em anymore, but I'll sell you mine.

Actually they do. Honda has recently come out with a new NSR50. It has a 6 speed tranny and everything, very cool.

Anyway. The Chinese bikes are fine for dickin around, they go 22-28 MPH and have disc brakes, good tires, etc.. The best Chinese $300 bikes are Caglleri's(neat Italian name huh). They are marketed under hundreds of ebay names though.

I have a "rossini" which is a cag. It was $300 delivered and it is a ball. I would not spend the $1,500-$3,500 it takes to get a good Italian bike (yes they are much nicer and faster) unless you want to race or have cash to burn.

If you buy one, bolts will be loose, hoses unconnected, nothing setup right etc. But once you get the tools out for maybe an hour they are fine.

Me and a buddy have em and they are fun in parking lots. I mean for the money it's well worth it and you will be amazed they can sell it that cheap. Thank goodness for no child labor laws in China

[Install425]