Minibike

As Pocket Bike (English " pocket bike " ), also called mini bike, motorized two-wheelers are referred to the 110 cm × 50 cm × 50 cm not exceed the dimensions. Visually, Pocket Bikes lean mostly to existing motorcycles, sometimes in the form of exact as possible copies, called replicas ( replica, even Replicas ).

The term pocket bike is more true than minibike, because so confusion can be avoided with the larger minibikes with at least 50 cc.

Drive Technology

Are typically used in Pocket bikes do not like the big idols over complicated manual transmission. Instead, the driving power is transmitted via a centrifugal clutch to a small pinion which transfers the power via a drive chain to the sprocket. Possible transmission ratios are a pinion of six to ten teeth and a chain ring with sixty to eighty teeth.

Another Drive has the dirt bike. Here, the power of the motor to a centrifugal clutch and then finally to a reduction, and as in the pocket bike to a small pinion which transfers the power via a drive chain to the rear sprocket.

Motors

The majority of Pocket Bikes are powered by two-stroke engines with a capacity 39-50 cc. These motors are suitable because of their comparatively simple technique and small construction good for the pocket bike concept.

It both air-and water-cooled engines are used, which are mostly cable, more rarely started by an electric starter regardless of the design with a. The motors are fed via carburetor with fuel. Are usual flat slide and round slide carburetors. Occasionally vacuum diaphragm carburetors are used.

Four -stroke engines from different manufacturers with a capacity of 80 to 110 cc are now increasingly used. These, of course have an oil cooling.

Brakes

• Front disc brakes (rigid or floating bearings ) to 160 mm diameter

• Rear disc brake ( rigidly ) to 110 mm diameter

Meanwhile, there are also hydraulic brakes with multi-piston caliper.

Tuning

Not least due to the simple motor design, the increase in performance ( tuning) enjoys great popularity of these engines. In addition, in most cases the appearance is improved, for example by applying a new coating or chrome-colored attachments.

Models

Pocket bikes can be divided into two groups:

The well-known brand bike Blata Origami B1 is copied in large numbers in China and referred to as C1, with the quality and performance does not reach the standard of the original.

Dirtbikes are not usually called pocket bikes, but simply motocross or minibike.

Motorsport

A pocket bike is almost always ( exceptions see below ) is a motor sports equipment and should therefore be ( helmet, gloves, leathers ) are only driven on enclosed grounds ( race) and with complete safety equipment. These are available in Pocket Bike shops Leder-/Textilkombis that have been specially designed for the pocket bike riding.

There are numerous championships in the individual countries (for example the German Cup) as well as a European Championship. The regulations of the German Cup shares the driver into four classes:

• In Class 1 and 2 students take up to 16 years with machines of a power up to 7 hp part.
• Class 3, Senior Mini, aged 16 years, two-stroke engine up to 50 cc and 90 cc four-stroke engine to power without restriction
• Class 4 Senior Midi as class 3, but with Midi Bikes (slightly larger ).

In grades 1-4 only brand bikes known manufacturer are permitted. Additionally, there is the class 5, China bikes, but which is very seldom written. Details can be found out by the German Motorsport Association ( DMV) or the German Motor Sports Association (DMSB ).

Terms of Use

Driving out of pocket bikes on public roads is not permitted in most cases. Currently (November 2008) it is not possible in Germany to get an approval for the bikes, since the vehicles almost never meet the requirements of the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations. This results in a lack of insurance. In addition, a license (usually A or A1 ) is required on public roads always. Who carries such a motor vehicle on public roads is an offense:

• Violation of the insurance law,
• Violation of the Motor Vehicle Tax Act ( if over 125 cc ),
• Where appropriate, driving without a license,
• Driving without a license.

In addition, the Pocket bikes are secured by the police and examined by a verifier, which additionally can cost several hundred euros. In addition, in the event of an accident makes no representation the resulting factual and or personal injury.

Pocket Bikes street legal

For some time, there are pocket bikes with a street legal that can be registered in Germany. They must be driven with a driving license of category M (16 years ). Insurance is regulated as a moped. Without this license plate are not permitted, however.