Yamaha’s PW50 has been the first motorcycle for generations of dirt bikers over the years, so it’s cool to see a nice example from the first full year of production that started it all.
As noted in this great article on We Went Fast, the PW50 was the successor to the 1979 YZ50 and internally Yamaha referred to it as the “Little Giant.” The goal was to create the perfect Christmas present for 5-6 years olds that knew how to ride a bicycle and were ready to graduate to an engine. The drivetrain (including the shaft final drive) came from the QT50 and Yamaha added two tools to restrict power for parents – an adjustment screw in the throttle and a removable restrictor plate in the exhaust. Yamaha projected to sell 8,000 units the first year – they sold 17,000…and that number went up to 33,000 the next year! You can still buy a new one, with a MSRP of $1,899.
This example is being offered by a dealership that says they sourced it from the original owner in California. It’s said to “run perfectly” and be in “outstanding condition.”
Find this PW50 for sale in Woodstock, Georgia with a BIN of $4,800 or best offer here on eBay. So the question becomes, buy one of these or two of the new ones plus some gear…?