50cc Mopeds? Improved Size and Fuel Economy

Gilera Runner PJ 50 (model year 2007) is a spo...
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

50cc scooters are miniature sized bikes with small engines. Not to be confused with pocket bikes which are designed for racing, or with a dirt bike which are is used off road but usually has the same small engine size. If you are conscious about your carbon footprint  and want to drive a vehicle with fewer emissions, then these vehicles are the best choice. 50cc mopeds are one of the bestselling motorbikes around because they are cheap and easy to obtain. In some countries, you do not need a license to drive a bike with an engine under 50cc, so it can be driven by adults and children alike. The small engine also makes them easy to handle, even for children who have never driven bikes with engines before. However, riders should always wear helmets and protective clothing and obey the laws of the road.

Most 50cc scooters are priced between five hundred dollars and one thousand dollars. Compared to other vehicle choices, these scooters are the most obtainable. Despite the small size, there is still an area big enough for storing a helmet or other personal items below the seat. A small engine means that the bike consumes minimal fuel, especially because of its light frame. The mileage ranges from eighty to one hundred miles per gallon. The cost of insurance and maintenance is also much lower compared to other motorbikes or car. If it is maintained and cared for properly, it can last a long time without having to go for any serious repairs.

The ergonomic and economic mopeds feature a four-stroke engine to provide faster top speeds and acceleration time. With a bike this small, you will not need to worry about finding a parking space because it will fit just about anywhere. Dealers all over the world sell these types of bikes, so you should be able to find a shop near your area. Look around at the different choices until you find a style and engine requirements that suit you best.

The Origin of Pocketbikes

Do you happen to know why mini bikes were created? It is said that the first minibikes were made by biking enthusiasts around forty years ago who found a lot of spare parts in their garage which were too good to throw out. Minibikes are categorized in to several specialized categories and pocket bikes belong to one category.They look like smaller versions of a sport bike, or dirt bike, and are used for racing on tracks similar to go kart racing tracks.

This type of motor bike is ususally just under the length of one meter and a height of 50cm. They typically use a two stroke engine of 39 cc to 50 cc with a maximum 18 horsepower though newer designs and versions of these bikes are already using four stroke engines, which are more environment friendly. Speeds can range between 30-90 kph and they are available using both electricity and gasoline.

The popularity of these bikes can be blamed by the influx of products coming from China like Sendai and V-Racer. These bikes are the exact replicas of units being used in the Grand Prix.

Pocket bikes are limited to racing only since most countries have banned the use of motorcycles that do not meet the size requirements and necessary equipment to make them street worthy. The exception in the United States however are the super bikes like the X22, X18 and X19 since they have all the necessary features of a full motorcycle equipped with turn signals, tail and brake lights, horn, turn signals, head lights and speedometer. These safety features are what make them street legal in America. The owner of the bike should also include a license plate bracket and insurance to be considered truly street worthy as these are all a must.

Though most people consider these type of bikes as toys, they are actually a good source of transportation since they have the capability to run up to 56kph. The slowest of these bikes can go up to 25 kph. Electric powered bikes are considerably slower than gasoline powered models.

Popularity of these bikes have been increasingly risen and in fact its growth has out-paced the popularity of all terrain vehicles and go carts. This could be related to several factors such as its availability, affordability, safety, ease of use and availability of its spare parts. Most of these bikes cost a fraction of the real Grand Prix motorcycles.

Kids can even use pocket bikes and teaching your kid to use one can be a good source of quality time between parent and child. With these bikes, spending time with your loved one would be truly fun and entertaining.