Picking a first motorcycle in Los Angeles is a different decision than it is in most cities. The riding environment here — dense urban traffic, legal lane splitting, OHV parks within an hour’s drive, a large mini moto community — shapes what makes sense for a beginner in ways that don’t apply everywhere else. This…

The Boom Vader 125cc is the bike that built one of the most active mini moto communities in Los Angeles. It’s a Grom-style 125cc pit bike — compact, light, manual transmission, aggressive stance — at a fraction of the price of a Honda Grom. If you own one, are considering one, or are trying to…