A miniature motorcycle that is a small-scale replica of a full sized production (usually race version) motorcycle. Pocketbikes originated in Japan in the 1980s and naturally people started racing them. The trend moved towards Europe where the racing has grown, and now it has reached the USA. Original pocket bikes were made in Japan, and then European manufacturers started making very high quality units. Currently the market is flooded with cheaper Chinese knock offs and original designs, some of which are found at retail locations such as AutoZone and Pep Boys. The bikes are usually sized anywhere from 30”-50” in length and 18”-30” in height. Most pocket bikes are powered by 50cc or smaller 2-stroke engines. Newer models are made which are clones of street bikes and actually have working lights, signals, horn, speedometer, electric start and sometimes even alarm systems.
by Paramecium October 03, 2004