As gas prices soar and concerns grow over global warming, alternative fuel vehicles are gaining traction. When it comes to cars, trucks, and SUVs, a hybrid is currently the most popular alternative to a gas powered engine. But when it comes to short-range commutes, say 20 miles or less, an electric bike is a fun, economical, and environmentally friendly option. For only pennies, your powered bicycle can get you from place to place without breaking a sweat and without the hassles of traffic congestion.
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An electric bike has pedals like an ordinary bicycle, and you can use those pedals to propel yourself under your own power. But it also has an electric motor, which you can use to augment your pedaling. The supplemental power is useful when starting from a stop or when riding against the wind. Alternatively, you can let the electric motor provide all the power while you sit back and enjoy the ride. This makes a motor powered bicycle one of the most versatile vehicles around. There are even models that fold up for easy storage or travel, as well as recumbent versions, which will take bicycling to a new level of relaxation (just don't fall asleep at the wheel!).
A battery powered bike can be purchased as an off-the-shelf item, or you can purchase a conversion kit to convert most any bicycle to an electric bicycle. The important factors to consider when selecting an electric bike are battery life (which determines how far you can travel on a charge), speed, and durability. Today's electric bicycles take advantage of recent advances in battery technology. Many models are powered by nickel-metal-hydride or lithium ion batteries, which can give a travel range of one two hours. Most models are capable of spinning bike supplier reaching speeds of 10 to 20 miles per hour. Durability is an important consideration, and like anything, you get what you pay for. You can spend under $500 for an economy model, but the quality may disappoint you. The better quality bikes can be purchased for around $500 to $1000. Check your local laws, but generally there is no registration required for a battery powered bicycle.
Firstly what are you allowed to ride? To begin with racing leagues are set up dependent on age of the rider. If the rider is quite young than it is more likely that they will be categorised for racing. These will also be restricted to how big the bike they can ride is. For example the youngest of riders will not be allowed to ride anything larger than say a 50cc or 85cc bike.
However once you get older there are leagues set up dependent on the size of bike you ride or your ability.
So check beforehand with your local organisation what the regulations are for you to enter the race. After this you are ready to look into buying a bike.
Depending on what you are allowed to ride there are many different manufacturers of dirt bikes out there for you to choose from, and a lot of them have many options when it comes to after market parts for your bike.
However again, if you are looking to modify your bike, make sure that you can enter into a league which allows you to do this, as some leagues will be set up for factory bikes (standard).
The main manufacturers for you to choose from are the likes of KTM, Kawasaki, Gas Gas and Honda dirt bikes. There are also many more to choose from which will have similar build quality and performance specs to match these.
So look into these different manufacturers and decide which bike is best for you, once you have purchased your bike all I can say is happy riding!