First 50cc Transport
Discussion
My son is about to turn 16 and wants to get a 50cc bike. Looking at the usual sources (ebay, Autotrader, MCN classifieds, FB marketplace, gumtree) there are a few "Unfinished Projects" and non runners for around £400, then a jump to new ish bikes for £1200+. But even at this price point here aren't many.
Back in 1994 when I bought a Suzuki ZR50 i remember there being a few more options, even pre-internet and in rural Essex: Are there more places I should be looking?
Also, given how mechanically simple a 50cc bike is, would you take on an unfinished project? I'm reasonably confident doing home maintenance.
Or should I give up and buy new?
Back in 1994 when I bought a Suzuki ZR50 i remember there being a few more options, even pre-internet and in rural Essex: Are there more places I should be looking?
Also, given how mechanically simple a 50cc bike is, would you take on an unfinished project? I'm reasonably confident doing home maintenance.
Or should I give up and buy new?
My answer would be avoid like the plague. The likelihood is that it'll have been owned by a 16 year old who wanted more than the ~30mph that they offer and have done all sorts of internet sourced garbage to them in an attempt to make it faster. It's either not worked and now the bike won't start or it has worked, the bike has blown up, and now won't start.
If it was me, I'd probably buy an electric bicycle, wait a year and get a 125. No harm in him doing a CBT first to see if he even likes it and if a 50cc is going to keep him happy.
If it was me, I'd probably buy an electric bicycle, wait a year and get a 125. No harm in him doing a CBT first to see if he even likes it and if a 50cc is going to keep him happy.
My friends and I all had Aprilias when we were 16 (2006/2007). Most of us had the RS50 and one had the SR50 (all two stroke).
Apart from one who had BADLY abused his RS, none of us had any issues with them at all. Once derestricted the RS would do a genuine 63mph (GPS verified) and the SR would do around 45mph.
There is a lot of stigma attached to them but they can be enormous fun and really opened the world of motorcycles for me.
IMO the Aprilia two stroke range is the absolute best you can get at that age.
Apart from one who had BADLY abused his RS, none of us had any issues with them at all. Once derestricted the RS would do a genuine 63mph (GPS verified) and the SR would do around 45mph.
There is a lot of stigma attached to them but they can be enormous fun and really opened the world of motorcycles for me.
IMO the Aprilia two stroke range is the absolute best you can get at that age.
Biker9090 said:
My friends and I all had Aprilias when we were 16 (2006/2007). Most of us had the RS50 and one had the SR50 (all two stroke).
Apart from one who had BADLY abused his RS, none of us had any issues with them at all. Once derestricted the RS would do a genuine 63mph (GPS verified) and the SR would do around 45mph.
There is a lot of stigma attached to them but they can be enormous fun and really opened the world of motorcycles for me.
IMO the Aprilia two stroke range is the absolute best you can get at that age.
In 1994 a few if my freinds had 50cc bikes. FS1E, TD50, and my ZR50. Really close racing, lots of lying flat on the tank at 37 mph. Endless fun. Apart from one who had BADLY abused his RS, none of us had any issues with them at all. Once derestricted the RS would do a genuine 63mph (GPS verified) and the SR would do around 45mph.
There is a lot of stigma attached to them but they can be enormous fun and really opened the world of motorcycles for me.
IMO the Aprilia two stroke range is the absolute best you can get at that age.
Simple answer is to get an older decent nick 50 from the mainstream manufacturers, simple, parts avauilable unlike chinese shyte, and with a proper engine with all the controls in the right place (assuming geared not twist and go) and not some banal electric t
t bike!
Honda MT5s, been around since the 80s, up to mid to late 90's massive in Europe, plenty of spares available with specialists in Netherlands of all places, simple, upgradable, cheap parts, cheap insurance, not bonkers prices to buy, but run it a year or so keep it in good nick and likely sell it for a few hundred quid profit.
I got my kids one back in 2020 for £595 off ebay as a taxed and MOt'd running bike. Got new plastics for it, about £180, painted tank cost £90, new seat cover was £25. Looks mint, rides nice, and is likely worth about £1200 now. Teaches them how to ride a proper motorbike, then at least if they take to it, they are not learning basics on a 500cc something later on in life.
t bike! Honda MT5s, been around since the 80s, up to mid to late 90's massive in Europe, plenty of spares available with specialists in Netherlands of all places, simple, upgradable, cheap parts, cheap insurance, not bonkers prices to buy, but run it a year or so keep it in good nick and likely sell it for a few hundred quid profit.
I got my kids one back in 2020 for £595 off ebay as a taxed and MOt'd running bike. Got new plastics for it, about £180, painted tank cost £90, new seat cover was £25. Looks mint, rides nice, and is likely worth about £1200 now. Teaches them how to ride a proper motorbike, then at least if they take to it, they are not learning basics on a 500cc something later on in life.
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