YAMAHA AEROX YQ50 (1998 - 2017) Review
Highlights
- Hugely popular scooter for 16-year-olds and up
- Plenty of race-replica versions offered over the years
- Great reliability record, two-stroke thrills
At a glance
Owners' reliability rating: | |
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Power: | 3 bhp |
Seat height: | Medium (32.6 in / 828 mm) |
Weight: | Low (214 lbs / 97 kg) |
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesThe Yamaha Aerox is a funky 50cc race replica two-stroke scooter. It's nippy, agile and lots of fun, although the single seat limits pillion options.
- Related: Best 50cc twist-and-go scooters
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It’s one of the best looking scooters around and can be seen tearing up city streets as well as being paddock transport for Yamaha-sponsored MotoGP/WSB and BSB stars. Upside forks and disc brakes means the little Aerox R can be knee-scrapingly good.
Yamaha Aerox 50cc Rossi Replica
The Aerox became famous in the UK thanks to the vast swathes of Rossi Replica bikes on the market. First launched in 2007 and updated in 2010 (pictured below), this stickered-up twist-and-go was the closest many 16 year olds would come to swinging a leg over Vale's MotoGP machine.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineThe Aerox is very light and nimble, so perfect for nipping around town. With its upside forks, fat 13” tyres and discs brakes, the Yamaha handles far better than the average shopping scooter.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityMaking a claimed 2.6bhp, the Aerox R is powered by a liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, carburetted two-stroke motor. It has an electric start and a CVT gearbox. In restricted from it’ll only do 30mph, but there are derestriction kits available to unleash more power.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueSports scooters like these are going to be used and abused by their 16-year old owners, or wheelied around paddock by racers, so they need to be durable. The Aerox R ticks that box and is well finished.
We've only got one Yamaha Aerox 50cc owner's review on the site, and with five stars across the board it's clear our commenter is happy with his purchase.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentAs cool as the Aerox R is, three grand was a lot for a moped, especially when it doesn’t offer any performance gain over the competition. Save your money for a 125 and buy a cheap moped when you’re 16.
However, if you're after a seriously cool-looking 50cc bike as a used purchase, you could do a whole lot worse than the Aerox. Yamaha are known for building strong bikes that last a long time, and this is no exception.
Equipment
It’s pretty basic, but you do get sporty bodywork and racy graphics, a supersports-style filler cap, discs brakes and upside down forks.
Don't expect massive levels of standard kit, but there have been plenty of race replica versions on sale over the years to impress your mates down the pub. See the full list below.
Specs |
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Engine size | 49cc |
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Engine type | Single-cylinder two-stroke |
Frame type | Tubular steel cradle |
Fuel capacity | 7 litres |
Seat height | 828mm |
Bike weight | 97kg |
Front suspension | Non adjustable |
Rear suspension | Non adjustable |
Front brake | 190mm disc |
Rear brake | 190mm disc |
Front tyre size | 130/60 13in |
Rear tyre size | 140/60 13in |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
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Average fuel consumption | 73 mpg |
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Annual road tax | £25 |
Annual service cost | - |
New price | - |
Used price | - |
Insurance group |
2 of 17 How much to insure? |
Warranty term | Two year unlimited mileage |
Top speed & performance |
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Max power | 3 bhp |
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Max torque | 2.7 ft-lb |
Top speed | 30 mph |
1/4 mile acceleration | - |
Tank range | 131 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
- 1998: Bike introduced.
- 1999: Max Biaggi special edition launched.
- 2000: Virgin Mobile limited edition launched.
- 2009: Team Replica revealed.
- 2010: Toyota F1 Edition launched.
- 2012: WGP Anniversary Edition revealed.
- 2017: Bike goes off sale.
Other versions
- Aerox R Fiat Yamaha Replica
Owners' reviews for the YAMAHA AEROX YQ50 (1998 - 2017)
2 owners have reviewed their YAMAHA AEROX YQ50 (1998 - 2017) 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 AEROX YQ50 (1998 - 2017)
Summary of owners' reviews |
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Overall rating: | |
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Ride quality & brakes: | |
Engine: | |
Reliability & build quality: | |
Value vs rivals: | |
Equipment: |
Version: the best
Year: 2002
very fun
the best
that sweet 70cc
likes to break when is tuned to race
buy a naked handlebar
Buying experience: it was a privately and the asking price was 1200 and i got it for 850
this bike/ped is one of the most wonderfull machines i have ownd loads of these the best is my aerox at current but befor we start their are reliable issues with the aerox 100 not the 50 the 100 will brake easily but still a good ped right the aerox 50 is one of the most crapyiest bikes unless derestricted i baught mine 2nd hand with 5 previous owners was a bit tatty it was semi derestriced so the work began new full plastic set in burnt orange/rusty look but looks the part a mallosi clutch, belt and rollers, polini 70cc kit a racing crank carnt remember who from probly polini or tnt somthing like that not that too much of a dear one new main bearings a digital ingnition stage 6 pully/variator and stage 6 sports exshaghst blue leds cromed the rim of both wheels bar conversion tnt jack up kit straight kick starter lever a 17.5 tnt carb and aftermarket clutch/variator housing cover, digital clocks and a cigerett lighter socket this bike with out these parts but properly jetted and the correct rollers on this bike with a little waight shifted back the frunt wheel will go light and i carnt say top speed as iv had standard peds do 45-60mph now my current bike with these parts is amazing its made for quik bursts round the back streets and accelerates that fast from a rolling abou 5-10mph and take the trottle off and put it back on quik full it lifts and shoots to a 73mph the handeling is amazing the bike overall will last you ages just change the gear oil spark plug and change piston and top end gaskets evry say 4000,miles not even piston just the rings and gear oil and use good 2stoke and it will last ages a mean ages just watch out for letric start going people buy new startor motor relays etc its never ever haped to me only to 3 of my freinds and all 3 were just a fuse near the battery that is hidden a couple cm,s toward the frunt wheel from the battry put the wires out and change the fuse maybe it will fix it all round amazing bike i have used this bike for evrything little stunting little rides along path ways in forests etc never had any problem wat so evry top bike worth evry penny will never get rid of mine even when i have a r1 will still have a aerox