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Announced in Japan in 1979, this full out trail bike was popular throughout the World with youngsters just starting out on two wheels. The first model finished in bright red and with Moto-cross style suspension and a very crisp 6.5bhp 49cc two stroke made a popular learner legal machine The high clearance mudguards enhancing the Off Road image.
Sadly, for some young riders, some countries licensing laws demanded power of just 2.5bhp, giving a maximum speed of just 30mph, but as this was the same for all manufacturers, a market soon grew for ‘Tuning Kits’ to restore the power!
In countries like Italy where youngsters were allowed to ride 50cc machines without a license, no matter how much power and speed the machine could muster, two stroke tuning became almost an art form, and many Moto GP stars of today, cut their teeth on 50cc two-stroke machinery able to top 60mph with acceleration to match! Not bad for a 14 year old, out to impress!
The MT50 continued being produced well into the 1990’s it’s last year of production in 1996, by which time licensing laws throughout Europe had reached a level playing field, now even 50cc motorcycles required a provisional license and basic rider training, even in Italy!