We enrol a couple of young hotshots to put the Yamaha TT-R50E through its paces.
The TT-R50E fills the gap between the smaller PW50 and the bigger TT-R110E. Its seat height of 555mm is smack bang in the middle of the two models either side of the 50 and our little test pilots had no problem getting their feet on the ground.
The 49cc air-cooled, SOHC four-stroke engine requires little maintenance thanks to its automatic cam-chain tensioner, that’s a thumbs up from mum and dad. A 11mm Mikuni VM-type carburettor with automatic on/off electric heater ensures crisp, dependable throttle response. Power is fed to the rear wheel through a three-speed transmission with automatic, centrifugal clutch.
The frame is a curved steel backbone design that uses the motor as a stressed member. It’s supported in the suspension department by an upside-down fork with 22mm sliders and 96mm of travel. The rear suspension has 71mm of travel and is a monocross-style design with a single shock.
To see what this new generation of born-with-an-iPad-in-their-hand kids think of the Yamaha, we rounded up a few kids from the Gwandalan Junior Trials Mini Cylcle Club and set them loose on the TT-R50E.
The electric start is worth its weight in gold for kids who don’t have the leg muscle or technique to kick over a 50cc four-stroke engine. “I liked the electric start on the TT-R, it was easy to start if I stopped on the track and I didn’t need help from my parents,” said Ashleigh. “I had one [TT-R50E] before my KTM and I had a lot of fun riding it today, it’s an easy bike to ride.”
The trick, factory look of the standard graphics kit is based of the Serco Yamaha bikes and boosts the presence of the tiny Yami. All the kids were a fan of the TT-R’s look. A big cushy seat ensures comfortable riding for the entire day, the kids were a fan of this too. “The seat on the TT-R is really comfy,” said Lawson. “I didn’t want to stand up even though Dad was telling me to.”
The power delivery of the TT-R50E adds to its user friendly nature. Roll on the throttle too violently and the TT-R won’t jump out from underneath its featherweight rider, greatly reducing the risk of whiskey throttle accidents. That isn’t to say it’s slow, Yamaha has tuned the TT-R to delivery power slowly and build up at a manageable rate, rather than dump all the power on the unsuspecting rider. “The TT-R is easy ride,” said Matthew. “The power is a lot smoother than what I’m use to and it’s a lot of fun to ride.”
Safety is a big one and the TT-R50E delivers in spades. A throttle stop screw allows adults to restrict speed while beginners are learning – a good idea for piece of mind. The chain is fully covered, both underneath and on top, ensuring no small fingers get anywhere near the moving parts.
For the full feature, check out issue #444 of ADB Magazine.
Test Pilots
Ashleigh Mitchell
Age: 10
Years riding: 2
Current bike: KTM 50 SX
Previous bike: Yamaha TT-R50E
Matthew Mitchell
Age 10
Years Riding: 3
Current bike: KTM 50 SX
Previous Bike: Honda CRF50F
Lawson Baxter
Age: 6
Years Riding: 2
Current bike: KTM 50 SX
Previous Bike: Yamaha TT-R50E
Yamaha TT-R50E Specs
Engine Type: Air-cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC, 2-valve
Displacement: 50 cc
Bore x Stroke: 36.0 x 48.6 mm
Cooling: Air
Fuel Management: VM11
Starter System: Electric
Fuel Tank Capacity: 3 L
Oil Capacity: 1 L
Transmission: 3-speed
Seat Height: 555 mm
Wheelbase: 925 mm
Ground Clearance: 135 mm
Dry Weight: 54 kg
Wet Weight: 57 kg with 3 litres of fuel
Suspension Front: Telescopic fork
Suspension Rear: Swingarm (monocross)
Brakes Front: Drum
Brakes Rear: Drum
Price & Contacts
Price: $1999
Website: www.yamaha-motor.com.au