Minibikes, often treated as such, are not toys. Even the tiniest, cheapest, petrol-powered bikes can achieve speeds of at least 40 km/h. Their electric counterparts however typically can not exceed 10-25 km/h. Road laws vary by country and sometimes by state. For the most part minibikes do not meet the requirements to be deemed road-legal. The ones made by hobbyists typically tend to be the culprits here: no indicator lights, no rear view mirror, no horn, sometimes even no headlight.

Small bikes, big dangers
You could be deceived by its cute looks but these small pocket bikes have big dangers. These bikes have it all to fascinate kids, teens and even adults. However, to police, safety experts and doctors, minibikes are nothing more than a mess! Here’s why.

Because of their petite demeanor, these super fast tiny bikes become difficult to notice by huge trucks and giant Suvs. Although these tiny monsters are way too noisy and make their presence known, they could be missed by people playing loud music or by those driving with their mirrors rolled up. Owing to fatal accidents and the overall danger caused by these, sale of minibikes sagged quite a bit during the early 2000s. Mini bike sale, however, was revived in the last few years when a road friendly and safer version of minibike began to be made. Some popular manufacturers like Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha and others have been making road-legal minibikes for enthusiasts at modes pricing schemes. The Honda Grom was perhaps the first entrant in the segment that was fully-featured and not to mention road-legal.These bikes have headlights, turn signals, tail/brake lights, a horn, and speedometer and also have speed limit in most scenarios (typically 4 stroke bikes with manual 4 speed transmissions can reach speeds of 55mph). In some cases, if the bike requires minor modification to meet requirements, one may be able to register it as a “unique/home-built.”

Like real full-size motorcycles, the rider of a modified super pocket bike must carry insurance, have a current inspection, and wear a helmet if local laws require it. Depending on if the state classifies a pocket bike as a “moped” or full “motorcycle”, the rider may or may not need a special motorcycle license. If not, a regular driver’s license may suffice.

Safety should be a major concern for anyone interested in riding these small wonders. Riding gas pocket bikes can provide miles of fun and enjoyment if one adheres to safety measures. Follow basic safety rules like wearing helmets, knee pads and shin guards to stay protected!

You don’t need overwhelming power to have a blast on two wheels! A motorcycle, at its core, is made for convenience and fun. But who knew that the most fun may perhaps be had in one of the smallest packages! It’s easy to dismiss a ‘mini-bike’ as a scooter pretending to be a “proper” motorcycle. These fun-size bikes were first made by enthusiasts from spare parts found in their garage. Placing maneuverability over raw power, these pocket-sized bikes could theoretically be made with an engine from a lawnmower, old iron bars and spare tires using just a blowtorch.

Market demand for these machines developed in the early 1960s in the United States, with traditional motorcycle manufacturers beginning to carry a line of mini-bikes in their catalogs. When it comes to power output, these bikes usually house a small 47-125cc 4-stroke or 2-stroke, flat head engine capable of reaching speeds of about 60-100 km/h. Some don’t even need transmissions, as most enthusiasts prefer a single-transmission power delivery system over a 4-speed system. But perhaps the most striking feature of these types of bikes is the low-seat height. With just a 18-30-inch-high seat, it’s easy just to swing your leg over and zoom away, leaving stifling traffic and annoying car horns cars behind.

Kiss traffic jams good-bye!
These bikes shine at low speeds and in tight spots. The high and wide handlebars make navigating tight city spaces and twisty back roads a pleasure. Once you get a “road-legal” bike something like a 125cc Honda Grom or maybe a Kawasaki z125 PRO, you will often find yourself beating daily bumper-to-bumper traffic without even breaking a sweat. What’s more, these pocket-sized bikes are small enough for you to even bring into your flat’s lift to park it inside!

Bottom Line
Mini bikes have their flaws but none of the minor quibbles really matter as these bikes are pure fun to ride. Free from the intimidating prospect of the overpowered super bike or the gargantuan, expensive cruiser, the seat of the minibike is just a happy place to spend an hour on. If you do not have one of these yet and are looking out to buy these mini monsters,  you could avail one of the many sale options. These can easily be selected from a wide range of online stores that have mini bike sales occasionally. If you are desperate to own your mini bike and second hand bikes work for you, zoom away in any one of the widely available pre-owned bikes. You will surely have a happy ride!

It is said that the best way to feel stylish on a budget is to buy second hand. Buying things that are already used has always been a good way to save a few dollars. Such a saving, however, comes with its risks. If you are looking to buy second hand or pre-owned bikes, the risk is likely to get multiplied. It is important therefore, to be doubly sure and go through a process of rechecks when buying a pre-owned bike. Such a measure ensures that you don’t buy into someone else’s negligence! Here are some basic precautions that you must employ to reduce the risks involved in second hand deals.

Be sure you ask a lot of questions. One of the most fundamental questions that needs to be asked is why the owner wants to dispense with their prized possession. Only proceed further, if the answer to this very important and crucial question sounds fully genuine and satisfactory. If the owner sounds touchy or visibly conscious, be sure to end the deal. This question will open up a box of other questions that you must ask to be convinced that your deal isn’t a risky one. Delve deeper into the usage history. Whether parts of your bike had been previously changed. If changed, what parts were they and when exactly did they last service their bike? Answers to these questions would help you understand a great deal about the actual working condition of the bike. Another important concern to beware of is whether the bike for sale has ever been crashed or in any accident. If you find anything shady about the answers, ditch their bike immediately. Since checking over a bike for damage requires experience, you could find stores or specialists that engage in such pursuits for a small fee. If this option doesn’t work for you, you could try checking for apparent flaws. It is rather important that the bike you buy has a sound and flawless frame. To ensure this, you could check for any obvious dents, scratches or visible damages and even chips. Even a small crack in a carbon frame can lead to fatal results. If you are checking an alloy bike, be sensitive to corrosion stemming from rust or paint bubbling. Tires are most likely to be in the best condition, since replacing them is inexpensive and easy. Most tires have a small hole in the center of the tire indicating some wear and tear. If no such signs are visible it means there is no tread left and they need to be replaced. Be sensitive to unusual movement and squeaky noises. If the bike that is up for sale happens to make unusual noises, it means it has a story to tell. This story may be about the bike being poorly maintained. Suspension in bike is another area that is affected by daily wear and tear. It is also worth questioning whether the suspensions had ever been replaced, repaired or changed.

Once all of the above is checked and considered, you could probably get an expert to check the parts. Make sure you only proceed further with price negotiations once you are thoroughly convinced that all is well with the bike. It is always wise to be sure that you don’t save some only to pay a bigger price later! If getting a basic bike and saving on the extra buck is your only criteria, make sure that you choose wisely!

A UK based retail bike chain that owns about fifty physical bike stores along with a large online store, in a recent survey revealed that 27% of riders preferred buying their bikes online. The stats are similar here and in other parts of the world.

A large chunk of enthusiastic cyclists have begun to buy bikes online. This is largely since online bike stores provide seekers a combination of price, selection, inventory and service that is best in its league. Seasonal, periodic and regular bike sales is another plus that most physical stores are unable to promise. Online stores offer a wider selection of brands, greater selection of each brand’s products and extensive inventories of brands than what the stores carry. It is way simpler for a customer to choose products at their convenience, comfort and pace. Online stores extend first rate customer experience that includes easy-to-use websites and thorough production information with online and phone support. Online stores extensively brief customers about the product specification that enables simple ordering and checkout functionality.

Physical stores limit buyers by selection. With so many online stores mushrooming in this era, people with limitless selection are more choosy and prudent about spending each dollar right. This aspect brings us to online stores that exclusively offer “bike saleâ€� all year round. That’s right, there are different types of online stores depending on your needs and requirements. Typically, they can be classified into eight types.

Some of these are superstores that quite like their names are very large. Other online stores include ‘premium stores’, extensions, chains, direct-to-customer, house brands and the like. Each of these stores specialize in a distinct combination of product, pricing and service scope.

Discounter is one such online store that specializes in providing lowest price to its customer. These stores particularly offer good discounts, often up to 20%. The deals or gears that you find in discounters are mostly the ones you can’t find even in the large superstores. Some discounters also offer great service often comparable to premium service category!

The next time you want to buy a bicycle on sale do check the discounters category while shopping online. Alternatively, one thumb rule that you should universally apply while choosing an online store should be that the cycle you want is in stock, at a great price and comes with first rate customer service. As long as these things are taken care of, you are good to go!

If you missed riding bicycles as a child and regret it each day, cheer up! You can still learn to ride a bike all by yourself. The invention of the adult tricycle, made riding bikes for one and all super easy. The three-wheeled craftsmanship has helped newbies, people with physical challenges and senior citizens get acquainted with the wonders of independent cruising! Adult Tricycles are not just extremely convenient and fully adjustable, these are also aesthetically very appealing. Associating tricycles with kids is the norm, however, manufacturers all around the world produce adult versions for the ones young at heart. When it comes to adult three-wheeled cycles you have quite a range! Let us check out some of the popular types of adult tricycles.

Traditional Adult tricycles, quite like any other tricycle has a stable platform that takes care of the act of balancing. Its convenient “step through� design enables easy mounting and dismounting. Many of these come with an optional seat back that helps keep your back, butt and hands at ease. Unlike their older versions, tricycles now are way more light and vert strong. People with weight issues need not get discouraged, these tricycles can easily accommodate those extra pounds with no compromise on the riding experience. The only point of difference between a normal bicycle and its tricycle counterpart is the physical frame. When it comes to repair and replacing parts, tricycles have quite the same mechanism as an ordinary bicycle. You can ride as much as you want and not let repair and maintenance ruin your riding experience.

Other than the traditional kind, there are sundry alternative styles in tricycles that you could choose from. There is a style called Semi Recumbent tricycle that strikes a perfect balance between a standard trike and a recumbent trike. This style suits older riders who find recumbent trike too low and standard trike too hard to pedal. Next up are electric tricycles that make pedaling optional. For a cool and somewhat adventurous feel, you have a chopper tricycle. Chopper tricycles are the most common type of upright bikes that adds an awesome twist to your biking experience. If you are looking for an easy storage option, you may want to go for a folding tricycle that has a collapsible mechanism. Such bikes solve limited storage issues at home and make riding more accessible to a variety of people.

With so many options available at your disposal, ditch all excuses and get some exercise in the fresh air. What’s best, you wouldn’t have to hitch a ride every time you want to go out!

Playtime is fun and exciting for kids, but if you are a parent it gets tedious to engage them in just one activity for a long time. Notorious for short attention spans, kids keep shifting their focus from one thing to the other. It literally becomes a task for us adults to keep the little ones glued to an activity that is both engaging and fun. Toys help to some extent but playing games too may not work forever! If all the toys in the world have failed you and nothing seems to have appealed your child’s fancy, it is probably time to get your kid a tricycle!

Tricycles work best to keep a child busy as learning to ride it requires both concentration and patience. If your child is still at an age where learning to ride is not a possibility, you could still buy a toddler tricycle that is embellished with goodies and accessories to intrigue their fancy. This would later lead them to want to learn to ride it.

Tricycles can play a key role in letting your child spend quality time playing outdoors. What makes toddler tricycles extremely attractive are options like cartoon characters on handlebars, baskets, canopies, rocking chairs and the like. Baby tricycles that are made of premium quality, nontoxic molded plastic ensures great safety and durability. It is essential to make sure you pick tricycle made of safe plastic that is ideal for toddlers to use. Let us quickly check out what makes baby tricycles so adorable.

Some cycles for toddlers come with a rear bucket for storage. Some cycles come with a secret storage compartment placed under the seat. These compartments/buckets can help store your kid’s favorite toys or food items. You can also carry water bottles or lunch boxes when you go for a ride in the park. Baby cycles also come with adjustable and detachable canopy that help shield your child from the sun when outdoors. There are several baby cycles that also come with detachable steering handles behind the seat. This gives parents an ease to monitor and control your baby’s movement. Such tricycles are an improved version of baby perambulator as it makes both the child and the parent equally partake in the tricycle’s movement. Many popular brands come with a built-in rocking chair. The cycle is made in a way that it can also be used as a rocking chair by your toddler. Features like these give kids a reason to play with it for long. Built-in music is another great feature that takes care of your child’s entertainment while riding. The music in such tricycles can be activated and adjusted by a knob located on the handlebar. Other accessories that make your kid’s tricycle fun are bells, horns, cup holders, fancy cartoon face, fancy pedals, mudguards etc. What’s more, you get these in attractive color options. You could also go for various customization options to suit your child’s liking.

Most of these cycles stand the test of time and are tough enough for years of indoor playing and outdoor adventures! Since most of these tricycles are made of durable plastic that lasts long, it is never too early to buy your kid their first tricycle!

Are you a beginner who wants to experience the awesomeness of mountain biking? Read on to know the right technique that could help you enjoy your ride to the fullest.

The key to have the best mountain biking journey is to be flexible and relaxed. Mountain biking is different from a commute or a road ride where the biker merely sits and spins. You should not be rigid to move forward or backward or off the side. Riding flat, descending, climbing and cornering are some of the things you would need to constantly do while on your mountain ride. Each movement requires a technique, let us quickly walk through them!

If you are riding on a flat terrain, the best technique is to pedal at a steady pace. You could either be sitting or standing while you pedal. Looking in the forward direction is the key. While you are riding, make sure you focus even down the trail and not merely on your front wheel. As soon as you see obstacles, climbs or descents coming, make sure you have the time to brace yourself up to navigate through them.

If you are on a descent, stand up resting on your pedals and keep both your arms and legs flexed. These help as additional shock absorbents and help you pass bumps easily. When you are going down hill, remember to keep your body low, knees and elbows bent and hips bent.

When you are supposed to climb, it is important you anticipate the incline a little in advance. This would help you drop into an easy gear well in time to prepare for the journey uphill. Instead of standing and aiming to pedal hard, you must sit and spin the pedals at a steady pace. Steadily pedaling uphill would help you to climb smoothly and not loose traction or stop. To develop traction, it is required that you maintain your weight on the back wheel. If you wish to steer, the weight should be exerted towards the front wheel.

Once you know the basic techniques like riding on a flat terrain, climbing and descending, you could orient yourself to cornering. The basic idea is to manage your weight and utilize your muscles in the right direction. It is important that you practice these techniques well before you go for your first ride. Various trail centers marked by skill and difficulty levels are ideal for inexperienced bikers to practice on. Once you are confident about your technique, you are fit to ride on and enjoy the therapy mountain biking provides!