I am a newbie, please help

Elliot

New Member
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Dec 10, 2012
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I am currently 14, and am moving to Colorado. I was hoping to get a motorbike after the move to bike to school and around and such. I have a few hesitations, however.
Firstly, how is biking with the motor disengaged? Is it very difficult to pedal with the motor off? I like to bike on trails with my family and friends, and would not like to have my bike unusable as a bike.
Secondly, is it safe? I've never motorcycled before, but I'm very good at riding my bike. Would it be difficult to learn?
Thirdly, I have no mechanical skills. Could you please recommend a good, inexpensive kit for me? I was thinking I would take it to the bike shop and have them put it together.
Finally, could you please give me some other tips and advice? I would very much like to have one, but it is a very debatable decision.
 
My frame mounted 2 stroke is not very comfortable to pedal with the clutch disengaged. I consider the drag to be significant. A friction drive motor can be raised off the tire for friction free pedalling without tools.
Motorized bikes are safe if you ride on appropriate roads (speed limits of 45mph or less). You must be an alert rider as cars do not see you when entering the road.
You don't need a lot of mechanical experience. Friction drive kits like Thatsdax or Staton-Inc are probably the easiest to install. Frame mounted engines usually require more tinkering to achieve a good straight chain line.
 
Frame mounted centre kits require some mechanical skills yes if u get one of the be sure 2 pay the bit extra and get a ZBOX kit. or for friction go to staton inc :)
 
I am currently 14, and am moving to Colorado. I was hoping to get a motorbike after the move to bike to school and around and such. I have a few hesitations, however.
Firstly, how is biking with the motor disengaged? Is it very difficult to pedal with the motor off? I like to bike on trails with my family and friends, and would not like to have my bike unusable as a bike.
Secondly, is it safe? I've never motorcycled before, but I'm very good at riding my bike. Would it be difficult to learn?
Thirdly, I have no mechanical skills. Could you please recommend a good, inexpensive kit for me? I was thinking I would take it to the bike shop and have them put it together.
Finally, could you please give me some other tips and advice? I would very much like to have one, but it is a very debatable decision.
I would suggest a bumblebeebolton. One bolt installs the entire kit and they are very reliable and simple they are the cheapest friction kit out there and my personal opinion is they are the best the one. opinions vary.
They are perfect for a beginner. You can easily pedal with the engine disengaged. there are other friction kits out there but they cost more..
 
It seems other people have different views to yours on the Bumblebee bolt-on; one person having installed the kit and describing it as a complete disaster being woefully underpowered and just plain useless; and someone else mentioning friction drive eating out tyres in 30 days.

Maybe it's time you stop banging your drum about the Bumblebee Bolt-on and turning discussion into an insanely irritating product endorsement.
 
It seems other people have different views to yours on the Bumblebee bolt-on; one person having installed the kit and describing it as a complete disaster being woefully underpowered and just plain useless; and someone else mentioning friction drive eating out tyres in 30 days.

Maybe it's time you stop banging your drum about the Bumblebee Bolt-on and turning discussion into an insanely irritating product endorsement.
Really. See what this guy thinks about them.
http://motorbicycling.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=446857
 
I just looked at pics of Bumblies and I think the only source of exaggerated wear would be mounting the drive roller at an angle to the driven wheel. I still would steer clear of them in this soggy country, but places with a reliable climate and prolonged dry stretches, it would be fine.
 
I just looked at pics of Bumblies and I think the only source of exaggerated wear would be mounting the drive roller at an angle to the driven wheel. I still would steer clear of them in this soggy country, but places with a reliable climate and prolonged dry stretches, it would be fine.

About the soggy country. They use a urethane drive wheel now and it works alot better than any other drive wheel i have tried. It goes through damp roads good. I ride an hour after it rains and it doesnt even slip unless i run through a water puddle. It is frictions drive though fine one that doesn't slip in the rain.
 
Welcome to motorbiking. At 14 you won't be able to legally ride on the public roadways. However you could still ride offroad. Which means a bike suitable for offroading. Here is the advice I give new comers.

Here are important questions to consider when building or buying for yourself or others:

1) What is the predominant riding terrain? (Level ground, hills, asphalt or dirt etc...)

2) What type of physique does the primary rider have? (Large, small, short, tall or health issues etc...)

3) What will the rider's local laws allow and require them to have? (Lookup and personally read these laws.)

4) What kind of bike is being motorized? (Mountain, road, whizzer or recumbent etc...)

5) What is the bike to be used for? (Shows, long trips, around town, off road or racing etc...)

6) How much of a budget is to be used for the build or buy? (All at the start or as you can afford projects etc...)

Seek the answers to these questions in order to get the most out of the bike you're building or buying. We're here to help with any questions you may have. The purpose of the questions to consider is not to overwhelm or confuse you. Rather help you focus in on what will work best for you and help you develop a building or buying philosophy. This site has lots of people who can help you but the only way they can is by asking questions. Any one of the questions to consider somebody here can help you with.

A fool never learns from their mistakes.

A smart person learns from their mistakes.

A wise person learns from the mistakes of others.

Good luck with your build or buy.
 
I would go with either a GEBE system or the Axle mount from Stanton Inc. I have both systems. With either system, I can ride my bike normally with no friction. So I ride with the kids with no motor engaged, and on Daddy time, away I go.
 
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