MOTORCYCLES

Mini motorcycles are also known as pocket motorcycles. They have 25 or 50 cc engines and can run at a speed of 20 - 30 miles per hour. They weigh about 50 pounds and stand at a foot and a half high. They can be powered by oil, gas or electric engines and look exactly like a real motorcycle except they are smaller in size. The snazziest models cost thousands of dollars and come from Italy. Cheaper versions are produced in China, and cost from $200 to $500.

Young and old people are attracted to mini motorcycles. They are great for college students and retired seniors to get around town. They are supposed to be used on closed racetracks, private roads or places where three are no public laws prohibiting their use. The less congested the area where a mini motorcycle is driven, the better. There are too many accidents involving mini motorcycles and cars, trucks and vans. The driver doesn’t stand a chance. Accidents occur because larger vehicles don’t see the mini motorcycle because of its low height.

Many people like to use mini motorcycles nowadays as they are cheaper than a normal sized motorcycle, and they are more fuel-efficient. However, if children ride these mini motorcycles, it is advised for them to wear helmets. This is because every year, the main cause of children’s accidents comes from riding these types of vehicles. Both bodily and brain damage occurs when a child falls from a mini motorcycle. This is why there is a rule that a child must be at least 16 years of age to ride a motorized mini motorcycle.

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A very clever design: the Honda Super Cub was the combination of a moped and a scooter. It attracted many people due to its friendly and non intimidating look. People who before had felt threatened by bigger motorcycles, approached and adopted this model very quickly.

It was a versatile motorcycle and had enough power to carry two passengers or a passenger with luggage. Its large diameter tires and wide seats made the ride almost as comfortable as the touring bikes from that time.

>> Honda 50cc Cub and Super Cub FACTS

- In 1952 Honda built 7000 units of this bike which represented the 70% of the entire production of Japanese motorcycles for that year.

- Thanks to this model Honda Motorcycles were absolute market leaders during 1953 and 1954.

It’s worth mentioning that those were very competitive days. There were many manufacturers competing for a very fast growing and demanding market.

- The Honda Super Cub was the equivalent of the Ford T or the Volkswagen Beetle for automobiles. As of 1992 Honda Motorcycles had built 20 million of these machines.

- The Honda 50cc Super Cub was exported to 120 countries.

As the Volkswagen Beetle, the Honda Super Cub didn’t change much through time. Just take a look at the technical data below:

1959 Honda Super Cub Specifications

-> Four stroke horizontal engine.
-> 49 cc of displacement
-> Three speed semi-automatic gearbox.
-> U-shaped frame in stamped steel.
-> Weight: 155 lbs. (70 kg.)
-> Speed: 35 mph (57 kph)

1992 Honda Super Cub Specifications

-> Four stroke horizontal engine.
-> 49 cc of displacement
-> Three speed semi-automatic gearbox.
-> U-shaped frame in stamped steel.
-> *Weight: 122 lbs. (55 kg.)
-> *Speed: 50 mph (80 kph)

Enjoy the ride!

Daniel Levy

Daniel Levy is the owner and contributing writer of Motorcycle-Articles.com . He loves motorcycles and Web development. For more great motorcycle articles visit http://www.motorcycle-articles.com

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1. There are a lot more cars and trucks than motorcycles on the road, and some drivers don’t “recognize” a motorcycle; they ignore it (usually unintentionally). Look for motorcycles, especially when checking traffic at an intersection.

2. Because of its small size, a motorcycle may look farther away than it is. It may also be difficult to judge a motorcycle’s speed. When checking traffic to turn at an intersection or into (or out of) a driveway, predict a motorcycle is closer than it looks.

3. Because of its small size, a motorcycle can be easily hidden in a car’s blind spots (door/roof pillars) or masked by objects or backgrounds outside a car (bushes, fences, bridges, etc). Take an extra moment to thoroughly check traffic, whether you’re changing lanes or turning at intersections.

4. Because of its small size a motorcycle may seem to be moving faster than it really is. Don’t assume all motorcyclists are speed demons.

5. Motorcyclists often slow by downshifting or merely rolling off the throttle, thus not activating the brake light. Allow more following distance, say 3 or 4 seconds. At intersections, predict a motorcyclist may slow down without visual warning.

6. Turn signals on a motorcycle usually are not self-canceling, thus some riders, (especially beginners) sometimes forget to turn them off after a turn or lane change. Make sure a motorcycle’s signal is for real.

7. Motorcyclists often adjust position within a lane to be seen more easily and to minimize the effects of road debris, passing vehicles, and wind. Understand that motorcyclists adjust lane position for a purpose, not to be reckless or show off or to allow you to share the lane with them.

8. Maneuverability is one of a motorcycle’s better characteristics, especially at slower speeds and with good road conditions, but don’t expect a motorcyclist to always be able to dodge out of the way.

9. Stopping distance for motorcycles is nearly the same as for cars, but slippery pavement makes stopping quickly difficult. Allow more following distance behind a motorcycle because it can’t always stop “on a dime.”

10. When a motorcycle is in motion, don’t think of it as motorcycle; think of it as a person.

Rameshrajan’s famous work involves his research in Honda Motorcycle History. Rameshrajan is an avid motorcycle rider and owns several motorcycles.

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