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Around the time cosmonauts were orbiting the earth and an unknown band called The Beatles were playing the Top Ten Club in Hamburg, an unusual side project was being cooked up by Honda engineers at Japan’s Tama Tech amusement park.

Not much bigger than a tricycle but equipped with a sporty 50cc engine, the prototype Z100 soon became the park’s most popular ride, and as people remarked how simian riders looked as they phutted around the track, the novelty bike quickly became known as ‘the Monkey’.

Almost 45 years on, the diminutive Monkey still raises a chuckle from onlookers while providing grown-up bikers with a cool, fun and portable method of short-distance transport. Among those to go ape over them are the pop star Jay Kay and Prince Philip, who rides a Jincheng Easy Rider around the Windsor estate.

Known as ‘mini’ or ‘pocket’ bikes in the US and manufactured also by Yamaha and Harley-Davidson, they are banned in several US cities. With their tiny eight-inch wheels and compact 49cc engines, they are technically not mopeds, which means that bored teens hooked on Jackass-style stunts don’t need a licence to ride one. There have already been a number of incidents in the UK, and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has gone on record with its ‘concerns about small motorbikes’. In its country of origin, meanwhile, the Monkey rivals that of Tamagotchi or Star Wars in terms of cult appeal. At least four magazines reflect the custom Monkey scene in Japan, and to satisfy demand from collectors, Honda bring out an annual limited-edition Monkey.

The scene is massive in Japan; it’s as big as the Mini cult is over here,’ says David Blackwell of Monkey Bike UK, the main importer of Honda Monkeys and the cheaper Jincheng copies, made in China. His team stages rallies, races and meets all over the country.

Before the weather took a turn for the worse, Blackwell has been selling around 20 bikes a month from his shop in Leamington Spa. Recently, he shipped a two-seater version to Puerto Banus in Spain so that a yacht- owning client could ride around the harbour. Honda publicity from the 1960s featured aircraft captains and gleaming gin palaces, claiming the Monkey was ‘just the job for storing in your Bentley’.

Tom Cole owns a large collection, including a rare tartan-seated 1967 Z50 M. ‘I can put them into the boot of my van or go on short trips into town,’ he says. Despite the shortage of power in pre- tuned models, the Monkey rarely goes unnoticed. Adds Cole: ‘I turned up at the Isle of Man TT race on one and it got more looks than a Ducati.’

Blackwell, who offers a basic pounds 200 tuning service right up to a pounds 4,000 Takegawa four-valve, twin-cam engine upgrade, admits that riding a Monkey is not without its dangers.

For a start, riders are lower to the ground than other motorcyclists, so can have problems seeing far ahead. Other vehicles, especially lorries, seem terrifying as they thunder overhead. ‘Just like other bikers, it’s important to wear bright clothing, as well as gloves, boots and full-face motorcycle helmet,’ advises Blackwell.

Often it’s their speed, not size, that poses the danger. Standard versions average only around 30mph, yet with an engine upgrade of up to 120cc, they can reach the heights of 60mph.

To illustrate the mini bike’s sporting prowess, Blackwell points to the fast-developing Monkey racing scene, based around the Phoenix Racing Centre, Preston and Scunthorpe’s Mini X Motopark. Then there’s the annual Isle Wight Monkey Bike Run, where a record 150 devotees turned up this year. Or you can choose the 100-mile cross- country run in the Derby Dales. ‘There were about 100 of us and we go through all these little villages and up and down the country lanes,’ he explains. ‘The views are fantastic, although it can be slow going for those with standard engines.’ The Monkey magic seems set to continue for a long while yet.

Dan Synge is the author of ‘Cool Collectibles’ published by Miller’s, pounds 14.99

three classic Honda monkeys

CZ100 (1963)

The first Monkey to be imported in the UK. As chic and fashionable as the Lambretta during the ‘Swinging Sixties’.

Z50 M (1967)

Improved engine, folding handlebars and higher tartan-covered seat made this the most practical Monkey to date.

Z50 J (1974)

With full front and rear swing arm suspension, this model is still in production today. The ‘Gorilla’ version has a bigger fuel tank and luggage racks.

Funny Car racer Scotty Cannon, who recently announced his intentions to field a Pro Mod car next season, will not be a part of Don Schumacher Racing in 2004.

“I’d rather own a little country convenience store than be an assistant manager at a big-city supermarket,” Cannon said. “I don’t fit in here. I need to have my own team and be in control J of my stuff. Financially, the only thing I can afford to run now is Pro Mod.

With Cannon’s departure, Schumacher isn’t sure whether he will keep a third Funny Car or switch to a configuration of two Funny Cars, two Top Fuel dragsters, and two Pro Stock Bikes.

“We’ll be making some big announcements on that during the SEMA Show in early November,” Schumacher said. “In the meantime, we’ll continue to work toward filling the hole Scotty will leave. I’ve got a couple of drivers in mind. If we end up keeping three Funny Cars, I want to hire John Force. If we end up with a second dragster, we’re looking at Larry Dixon. How’s that for silly-season gossip?”

Cannon has said that he is “wide open” to offers for another Funny Car ride.

The Extreme-G series has certainly had its ups and downs since its debut on N64 in 1997. But with XGRA, the racing franchise has finally come into its own and can now be counted alongside games like F-Zero and Wipeout as one of the futuristic-racing genre’s defining titles.

It’s not that XGRA does anything particularly unique—it’s just that the game is so thoroughly polished. You turn it on and everything feels right; the music, graphics, and even the menu system all complement each other perfectly. And the little touches—like the sound effects going completely silent when you reach a track’s zero-grav area—really add to the whole experience.

The racing itself is superfast, with twists and turns that get on you faster than Anna Nicole Smith on a Big Mac. But the control is so tight that it takes only a bit of practice to deal with the ridiculously high speeds and technical tracks. The only problem I had was with targeting and destroying specific competitors, but I could feel myself getting better at it the more I played. And there’s nothing wrong with having to build your skills up a little bit, right?

My only real complaint about XGRA is that too few bikes compete in each race. The way the game is now, you don’t get the feeling of racing in a pack. The inclusion of a bunch more racers would add a whole new dimension to an otherwise excellent experience.

The Extreme-G series has certainly had its ups and downs since its debut on N64 in 1997. But with XGRA, the racing franchise has finally come into its own and can now be counted alongside games like F-Zero and Wipeout as one of the futuristic-racing genre’s defining titles.

It’s not that XGRA does anything particularly unique–it’s just that the game is so thoroughly polished. You turn it on and everything feels right; the music, graphics, and even the menu system all complement each other pefectly. And the little touches–like the sound effects going completely silent when you reach a track’s zero-grav area–really add to the whole experience.
The racing itself is superfast, with twists and turns that get on you faster than Anna Nicole Smith on a Big Mac. But the control is so tight that it takes only a bit of practice to deal with the ridiculously high speeds and technical tracks. The only problem I had was targeting and destroying specific competitors, but I could feel myself getting better at it the more I played. And there’s nothing wrong with having to build your skills up a little bit, right?

My only real complaint about XGRA is that took few bikes compete in each race. The way the game is now, you don’t get the feeling of racing in a pack. The inclusion of a bunch more racers would add a whole new dimension to an otherwise excellent experience.

Suddenly you find yourself in a position where you need to transport your motorcycle across the country. You are moving and there is no way you are going to leave something so dear to your heart behind. Not to worry ¨C motorcycle trailer rentals are the perfect answer for you.

Whether you have to move across the country or you are planning a vacation and want to take your bike with you. Whether you are moving that vintage motorcycle project or heading to the track for the next motocross race. A trailer rental can solve all your transportation dilemmas.

So why rent?

1. Convenience Pick the trailer up when you need it and drop it when you are done. Many of the rental agencies even offer one way trips with an additional fee.

2. Affordable No worrying about spending a substantial amount to buy a trailer that you¡¯ll only use once or twice. And then there¡¯s the insurance, maintenance, and all the other costs associated with owning something. Pay your rental fee, turn it back in, and your obligation ends.

3. Time In less than 15 minutes you can have booked your trailer for the dates you need. Online has certainly added a degree of convenience to this process. Then all you need to do is show up and pick it up.

4. Quality You can rent a top of the line trailer that offers your motorcycle the best protection and it will cost you pennies per mile. Much better than having to pay to buy the trailer.

If you are going to rent a motorcycle trailer you are going to have to install the correct type of hitch. Generally a ball hitch is what is needed. In fact most pickups come with the right type of hitch already in place.

But wait! There are other options to trailer rentals. One you may not have even considered and they too have some great benefits especially if you want to more your motorcycle quickly and safely. It¡¯s a great option for that custom motorcycle or that bike you¡¯ve spent years rebuilding and don¡¯t want to risk towing. Ship it. Yes that¡¯s right hire one of the many companies that specialize in shipping motorcycles.

There are plenty of reasons why you might consider this option over renting.

1. Convenience ¨C no hauling, not loading, just call the shipper, he¡¯ll pick it up and meet you at the destination.

2. Time ¨C If you need your bike to arrive when you do time isn¡¯t a problem. You shipper can schedule your motorcycles arrival to coincide with your arrival.

3. Safety ¨C An experienced shipper knows how to handle your bike and will also offer specialized insurance to give you peace of mind for that rare occasion.

4. Protection ¨C Many of the trailers you rent are uncovered leaving your bike exposed to all the elements including weather, dust, and flying debris. With a shipping company that¡¯s never a problem. You motorcycle will be protected during its entire journey.

Whether you decide motorcycle trailer rentals are worth considering or you feel more comfortable with a shipper is entirely up to you. What is really important is that you are comfortable with how your motorcycle is going to be transported.