Mini Pocket Rockets: Not Just Kids\' Toys

In case your teenager comes up to you and declares that he or she wants mini pocket rockets, don't think your kid is asking for a toy! Pocket rockets constitute a serious hobby among sports enthusiasts, specifically racing fans, and owning a good pocket bike is definitely something a budding racing fan would appreciate.

There are super pocket rockets, and there are mini pocket rockets. Super pocket rockets are larger than those regularly manufactured. In actuality, the term "mini pocket rockets" is a bit of an overkill, since "pocket rocket" on its own is just another term for a miniature motorcycle. Pocket rockets are gas-powered motorcycles that are around half the size of regular motorcycles. They can support the weight of a human rider and can be ridden around. In fact, they started off as pit vehicles in racing circuits back in the 1950s, and the trend of building and owning miniature motorcycles has since caught on.

While they could never match up to the speed of full-sized motorcycles, minibikes are still quite useful, albeit fun to drive around. Pocket bikes are considered by many as a quirky and vastly more affordable alternative to owning actual motorcycles, and because of this, signature pocket bikes are highly in demand. Honda, Kawasaki and other big manufacturers of world-class motorcycles have taken to addressing the "minimoto" market, and have come out with miniatures of their more famous models.

Building one's own pocket bike also comes with its own charm. There are build-your-own kits for minimotos, go-karts, scooters and other small-scale vehicles available in hobby shops, and it is up to a pocketbike owner to be resourceful when finding cheap but sturdy parts. The sense of accomplishment one gets from creating a fully serviceable vehicle from scratch is simply priceless.

But no matter how functional they are, pocket rockets are not considered street legal in many states. So if you buy your kids some mini pocket rockets, be sure to caution them about where and when they can ride them out in the open. Offroad is always an option, but make sure the pocket bike you buy is able to handle the sort of terrain it is intended to drive on!