YAMAHA TZR50 (2003 - 2004) Review

At a glance

Owners' reliability rating: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Power: 6 bhp
Seat height: Medium (32.1 in / 815 mm)
Weight: Low (249 lbs / 113 kg)

Overall rating

Next up: Ride & brakes
4 out of 5 (4/5)

The Yamaha TZR50 is an act of brilliant folly but tempting nevertheless.

A screaming, old-school, supersports, 50cc sixteener, with all the bluster, mayhem, carnage, testosterone and manicness that implies. Being Japanese the Yamaha TZR50 is fairly durable too, though it can’t match the performance of its European rivals.

Ride quality & brakes

Next up: Engine
4 out of 5 (4/5)

When it comes to handling, there’s few machines sharper than a sports 50 – but then there’s few so uncompromising, cramped or uncomfortable either. But if all you wanna do is cause mayhem round mini roundabout and town centres, there’s few better than the Yamaha TZR50.

Engine

Next up: Reliability
4 out of 5 (4/5)

Like many in this class the Yamaha TZR50’s motor is a full-on madcap screamer with all the fun and durability that implies. In truth the Yamaha TZR50's a fairly run-of-the-mill yet state of the art liquid-cooled reed-valve two-stroke single. Rev the nuts off your Yamaha TZR50 and it delivers nigh on 60mph. But it needs looking after, too…

Reliability & build quality

Next up: Value
3 out of 5 (3/5)

The Yamaha TZR50 is fairly standard and trustworthy Yamaha fare. Don’t go looking for any gilt and glitter but you won’t need to worry too much about thrashing it through winter and back either. That said, the Yamaha TZR50 still needs cleaning and looking after.

Value vs rivals

Next up: Equipment
4 out of 5 (4/5)

The Yamaha TZR50's not cheap and something of a rarity on the used market, too, so you better have deep pockets. But if you're in the market for this kind of bike and you (or dad) favours some Japanese style reliability and durability, the Yamaha TZR50 is the only one that comes close. Find a Yamaha TZR50 for sale.

Equipment

4 out of 5 (4/5)

The Yamaha TZR50 is nothing to write home about and yet still enough to impress more than a few ra-ra skirts outside the local McDonalds. The Yamaha TZR50 has decent spec brakes, suspension etc, racy clocks and styling and enough kudos to pull the knickers off a sixth form schoolgirl.

Specs

Engine size 49cc
Engine type Reed valve single, 6 gears
Frame type Steel tube double cradle
Fuel capacity 16 litres
Seat height 815mm
Bike weight 113kg
Front suspension None
Rear suspension Preload
Front brake Single 280mm disc
Rear brake 220mm disc
Front tyre size 100/70 x 17
Rear tyre size 130/70 x 17

Mpg, costs & insurance

Average fuel consumption 55 mpg
Annual road tax £25
Annual service cost -
New price -
Used price -
Insurance group 3 of 17
How much to insure?
Warranty term Two year unlimited mileage

Top speed & performance

Max power 6 bhp
Max torque 2.68 ft-lb
Top speed 30 mph
1/4 mile acceleration 23 secs
Tank range 135 miles

Model history & versions

Model history

1998: Yamaha TZR50 launched.
2004: Yamaha TZR50 discontinued.

Other versions

None.

Owners' reviews for the YAMAHA TZR50 (2003 - 2004)

1 owner has reviewed their YAMAHA TZR50 (2003 - 2004) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.

Review your YAMAHA TZR50 (2003 - 2004)

Summary of owners' reviews

Overall rating: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Ride quality & brakes: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Engine: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Reliability & build quality: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Value vs rivals: 4 out of 5 (4/5)
Equipment: 4 out of 5 (4/5)
5 out of 5 Simply the best 50cc ever made!
14 January 2012 by mattisere

I've had this bike for a while now and have fallen in love with it! Looks the part and performs like a dream, especially for a 50cc! The engine is amazing, getting 70-80 mph out of a 50!! With Yamaha quality and reliability is a given, so nothing to worry about there. It is the size of a 125 or 250 as it uses the same frame and therefore dwarfing other 50's. The only down side is that it isn't made for the UK market therefore only imports can be bought, unless you plan on going to Spain, which would be nice I suppose. Yamaha should defiantly bring it to the UK market as it would be a instant success as everyone I know asks where to get one! I've ridden plenty of 50's and this is a whole 2 miles better than any other! Everyone who has been on mine as said it is the quickest 50 they've ever seen. So overall it is undoubtedly THE BEST 50CC EVER MADE!

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 4 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
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