Pocketbike racing
Encyclopedia
Pocket Bike racing, also known as Minimoto or circus racing, is a category of racing
where miniature racing motorcycle
s (known as pocket bikes or minimoto) are raced around kart tracks. It is a popular sport in Japan and Europe
and is gaining in popularity in other parts of the world.
A typical minimoto is approximately one-fourth the size of a regular motorcycle, and is powered by a two-stroke
internal combustion engine
of between 40–50 cc producing somewhere between 2.4 and 17 hp (1.8 and 11 kW). The machines have no suspension, relying on the tires to absorb bumps and handle cornering, and weigh approximately 50 lb (22.7 kg). The entry-level models produce about 2.4–4.2 hp, but the more expensive racing models can have a power output of about 11–17 hp. This provides a power-to-weight ratio
favorable to racing. Despite their tiny size both adults and children race them at speeds of up to 78 mph (125.5 km/h) in organized racing leagues.
The ease of transportation and the low cost of the bikes (they are priced from approximately US$200 for a basic model built in China to around US$7,000 for a top of the line Italian model, making them an affordable way for children (some as young as six) to learn about motorcycle racing and for adults to race without the high costs and risks associated with full-sized motorcycle racing.
In most countries, a licence is not required to ride miniature bikes. However, they are usually not street legal and should be ridden on private land, such as car parks, gardens or on race tracks.
Miniature motocross
motorcycles are also available for children to learn this form of motorcycling.
A notable racer who learned his craft on minimoto is Valentino Rossi
.
Racing
A sport race is a competition of speed, against an objective criterion, usually a clock or to a specific point. The competitors in a race try to complete a given task in the shortest amount of time...
where miniature racing motorcycle
Minibike
A minibike, sometimes called a mini moto or pocketbike, is a miniature motorcycle. Most minibikes use two-stroke engines and chain drive.- History :...
s (known as pocket bikes or minimoto) are raced around kart tracks. It is a popular sport in Japan and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and is gaining in popularity in other parts of the world.
A typical minimoto is approximately one-fourth the size of a regular motorcycle, and is powered by a two-stroke
Two-stroke cycle
A two-stroke engine is an internal combustion engine that completes the process cycle in one revolution of the crankshaft...
internal combustion engine
Internal combustion engine
The internal combustion engine is an engine in which the combustion of a fuel occurs with an oxidizer in a combustion chamber. In an internal combustion engine, the expansion of the high-temperature and high -pressure gases produced by combustion apply direct force to some component of the engine...
of between 40–50 cc producing somewhere between 2.4 and 17 hp (1.8 and 11 kW). The machines have no suspension, relying on the tires to absorb bumps and handle cornering, and weigh approximately 50 lb (22.7 kg). The entry-level models produce about 2.4–4.2 hp, but the more expensive racing models can have a power output of about 11–17 hp. This provides a power-to-weight ratio
Power-to-weight ratio
Power-to-weight ratio is a calculation commonly applied to engines and mobile power sources to enable the comparison of one unit or design to another. Power-to-weight ratio is a measurement of actual performance of any engine or power sources...
favorable to racing. Despite their tiny size both adults and children race them at speeds of up to 78 mph (125.5 km/h) in organized racing leagues.
The ease of transportation and the low cost of the bikes (they are priced from approximately US$200 for a basic model built in China to around US$7,000 for a top of the line Italian model, making them an affordable way for children (some as young as six) to learn about motorcycle racing and for adults to race without the high costs and risks associated with full-sized motorcycle racing.
In most countries, a licence is not required to ride miniature bikes. However, they are usually not street legal and should be ridden on private land, such as car parks, gardens or on race tracks.
Miniature motocross
Motocross
Motocross is a form of motorcycle sport or all-terrain vehicle racing held on enclosed off road circuits. It evolved from trials, and was called scrambles, and later motocross, combining the French moto with cross-country...
motorcycles are also available for children to learn this form of motorcycling.
A notable racer who learned his craft on minimoto is Valentino Rossi
Valentino Rossi
Valentino Rossi, , is an Italian professional motorcycle racer and multiple MotoGP World Champion. He is one of the most successful motorcycle racers of all time, with nine Grand Prix World Championships to his name – seven of which are in the premier class.Following his father, Graziano Rossi,...
.