What exactly are pocketbikes? by Steve Robinson

What exactly are pocketbikes? by Steve Robinson

Pocket bikes, also known as mini motos, are miniature sized motorcycles averaging around 47 inches long and 18 inches tall. Pocket bike, although small enough to carry under one's arm, are capable of impressive speeds. They are usually built with gas-
powered engines. The smaller industrial-motored models used by Junior class racers are capable of speeds of over 35 mph, the average 4.2 hp and 6.2 hp racing models achieve about 40-45 mph, and open class machines reach speeds over 50 mph. Pocket bikes can be built with many of the features common to regular bikes, such as disc brakes in the front and rear, racing tires, fairings, lightweight aluminum alloy cast perimeter frames and swing arms. Originally, pocket bikes were solely made by specialty manufacturers who sold them at expensive prices. As their appeal has grown, however, affordable pocket bike imports have become available to a much larger group of motor sport enthusiasts.
While many owners race their pocket bikes at competitions and go-kart tracks, others simply enjoy riding their pocket bikes in open local areas. There are many options for legally racing your pocket bike with friends and in organized competitions. A racing sanctioning body has been established to promote racing in North America called NAPRA, the North American Pocket Bike Racing Association. Go-kart tracks offer a road racecourse that is perfectly scaled to Pocket bikes. Whatever your choice, it is yours to make. And it will be a fun one. Nothing quite matches Pocket bike racing

About the Author
This article is brought to you by Pocket Bike Fun a website dedicated to everything pocketbikes. Visit us today.

Michelin Reinvents the Tweel by Richard A. Brink

Michelin Reinvents the Tweel by Richard A. Brink

Every once in a while a product comes along that catches your eye. The new Michelin Tweel is just such a product. Shown here mounted on an Audi A4, demonstating its flexibility, is what Michelin North America Inc. has dubbed the Tweel. It is a tire and wheel combo that comes as an assembly, requires no air(the flexibilty comes from the spokes)and is retreadable. Can you imagine never having a flat again?

The Tweel uses a network of elastomeric polyurethane spokes to control the ride characteristics. These ride characteristics can be set independently of each other, for instance, verticle stiffness-which primarily affects ride comfort-and lateral stiffness-which affects handling and cornering-can both be optimized, pushing the comfort level and the performance envelope at the same time. This is something todays pneumatic tire just cant do.

The possibilities of the Tweel seem endless. For instance, since the Tweel requires no air, holes or channels could be designed in the tread that could channel water literaly through the tread, thus improving aquaplaning resistance considerably. In the looks department, as you can see from the photo, the Tweel is extremely low profile. At speed, the spokes seem to disappear, giving the appearance the vehicle is floating on air, while also revealing the brakes and associated suspension hardware. If that werent enough, to add a little "Bling Bling" the spokes of the Tweel could be chromed or painted to any desired color for that ultra custom look.

As for maintance, there is very little. There is no air to check, no more mounting and balancing, and no more flats.

Now before you run out to get yourself a set, you must understand that Michelin says they are ten years away from having the Tweel in mass production. That said, as you can see they already have a fitment available to at least bolt on an Audi, and with the benefits being so great, can it really be that far off?

Richard A. Brink

AftermarketGoodies.com

About the Author
Richard A. Brink is CEO of Internet Busines Realities. Richard writes articles for several sites in the IBR network including, AftermarketGoodies.com .