Pocket Rocket Pocket Bikes

Pocket bikes, aka pocket rockets, are miniature motorcycles.  They are much smaller than regular motorcycles.  Typically, these mini motor-bikes are only three to four feet in length, and maybe a couple of feet tall.  They are designed for adolescent children for off-road use.  They are NOT for riding on sidewalks, and are usually, if not always, not licensed for street or road use.  Due to myriad state and local laws, parents of teenagers having pocketbikes should check out local licensing requirements and usage permissions.  Check with your DMV and your local jurisdiction.

The terms pocket rockets and pocket bikes mean the same, though Razor claims a trademark on “pocket rocket” on its website. 

A pocketbike can be surprisingly inexpensive to own and operate, so the only consideration most parents would have are where it can be operated, getting it there, and safety.  Storage is not usually a problem, as they can fit almost anywhere, being that they are so small.

The cost for most pocket bikes is well under $1000, with many available for just a few hundred dollars. They can be purchased not only at motorcycle dealerships, but frequently also at many large department stores and “warehouse” stores.

Two basic types pocket rocket minibikes are available: gasoline powered bikes such as the “Cagllari Daytona pocket bike” from MiniPocketRockets, and electric ones such as the “Blue Razor Pocket Rocket Electric Mini Bike” from Razor, are two well-known examples in the industry.

The gasoline powered pocket rockets are usually powered by two-stroke air-cooled engines. They require unleaded gasoline with a little “2-stroke” oil mixed in. (A 50:1 gas:oil ratio is typical). The gasoline powered pocketbikes can be quite noisy. But, hey, that's half the fun. They can be taken out all day, as fuel and oil can be carried along for refueling. And, because they and their engines are so small, they take hardly any gas to run all day.

All the mini-bikes are small enough and light enough to be carried in a pickup truck or even in the trunk of a decent-sized car. (Those having politically-correct “green” mini-cars will be out of luck trying to carry one around. But people having those types of cars aren't going to be buying pocket rockets, anyway.)

The electric pocketbikes are much quieter. They are not nearly as powerful or fast as the gasoline engine models. But they do offer inexpensive fun. Continuous use is limited by the battery. 45 minutes, more or less, depending on the terrain, the weight of the rider, and even the air temperature, is a typical length of drive time. Then the battery will have to be recharged., taking maybe eight hours to recharge.

Most manufacturers of pocket bikes recommend a minimum rider age of 12 or 13. Pocket rockets are toys, maybe a step above a toy. They are not items to be careless with. The bikes can go from 15 to 30 mph, or even in some cases, quite a bit faster, depending on the type and modifications. (Racing them is a big hobby, and many pocket bikes have been made into super pocketbikes.) That's fast enough for a careless or reckless teenager to get into trouble.

As mentioned before, pocket bikes are not for sidewalk or street use. On sidewalks, they are a danger to pedestrians. On the street, they are a danger to the rider; since they are so small, so low to the ground, that they are difficult to see by automobile drivers. In case of an accident, the pocketbike rider is likely to be severely injured, while the automobile driver is merely going to be incensed by the new scratch on his bumper.

Safety equipment is vital. A helmet. Knee-pads. Maybe elbow pads. Probably gloves. Sturdy shoes; no flip-flops. And, definitely, a rider should wear heavy jeans to prevent “road rash” in case of the inevitable spills. After a rider graduates from stately tours around a nice flat parking lot, he is going to want to take it out to the dirt. Dirt has bumps and rocks, and that means spills.

A special note about helmets: A helmet, and likely a certified helmet, will be required in many areas. Check your state certification requirements. Look up “Snell” and “DOT”.

Pocket bikes can be a great introduction to dirt-bike riding for children. Similar fun, just not quite as fast as full-sized bikes. Young teenagers can use them for racing, for sliding around in the dirt, for jumping contests, etc. And since the gasoline-powered pocket rockets can handle riders up to 250, 275 pounds, a few adults have been know to take a spin on them, too.

There are so many brands and variations, I can't possibly review any of them in this limited space. One of my objectives in writing this was to introduce you to the subject and encourage you to consider it as a fun activity for you and your teenagers to enjoy together. Have fun.