Motocross Machines

There are two types of motocross machines used by motorcycle enthusiasts: the mini and the supermini. It is obvious that both are smaller versions of a regular motorcycle. However, the technology that builds these speed machines is fascinating nonetheless.

The first bike, the minibike, also known as a rocketskate or pocket rocket, is the first mini motorcycle.

It has a two-stroke motor (only an exhaust outlet and fuel inlet) which produces a lot of exhaust fumes as well as a loud, whining buzz sound from the engine. The bikes can reach a top speed of 40 miles per hour; however they are not street legal in most states. Some regulations in the United Kingdom allow minibike riding on streets.

The safety of the rider is important while riding a minibike. A helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, gloves, shoes, and jeans should be worn while riding for the driver's protection.

The size of a motocross machine can range from 50cc to 550cc. Some of the manufacturers of motocross machines are Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha, as well as the smaller bike makers Aprilia, Husqvarna, Vertametti, VOR and TM–all Italian manufacturers.

Other pocket bikes are the Blade ($239), the Cagllari Daytona ($179), the Predator Mini Chopper ($399), the Vulkan ($499), and the GP MX3 pocket bike ($199).

A regular motocross machine uses either a two-stroke or a four-stroke engine.  According to Wikipedia.com, "the two-stroke cycle of an internal combustion engine differs from the more common four-stroke cycle by having only two strokes (linear movements of the piston) instead of four, although the same four operations (intake, compression, power, exhaust) still occur. Thus, there is a power stroke per piston for every engine revolution, instead of every second revolution." They are designed for quick acceleration instead of constant high speeds. Knobby tires, short gears for quick acceleration, and a well absorbent suspension system round out some of the bike's necessary features.

A super mini motorcycle can be bought by some retailers for less than $1000.00. The Super Mini Chopper Cruiser, a steel, aluminum, and ABS plastic, 49cc bike can be bought from Cobragasscooters.com for just less that $600. The bike runs on a mixture of gas and 2-cycle oil with a fuel tank capacity of two liters. At 135 pounds and a little over five feet long, this two-stroke bike can hold a maximum capacity of 250 pounds.

With the equivalent of a down payment on a car, motorcyclists can mix training, safety, and fun into an exciting hobby or an inexpensive mode of transportation.

Wikipedia. "Minibike." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. September 29, 2006. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minibike

Wikipedia. "Two-stroke cycle." Wikimedia Foundation. September 28, 2006. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. September 29, 2006. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-stroke_cycle

Wikipedia adaptation. "Motocross-Machines." Global Oneness Committment.
Updated September 29, 2006. ExperienceFestival.com. September 29, 2006.
http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Motocross_-_Ma chines/id/1779581

Mini Pocket Rockets. "Mini Motorcycles: Our mini motorcycles are zooming across America ." Minipocketrockets.com. September 29, 2006. Copyright 2007. Mini Pocket Rockets. September 29, 2006. http://www.minipocketrockets.com/mini-motorcycles/

CobraGasScooters. "Super Mini Chopper Cruiser." Cobragasscooters.com. Copyright 2006. September 29, 2006. http://www.cobragasscooters.com/choppers.htm