Help needed, searching for a PW50

bruceb

bruceb

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My daughter has requested my assistance in finding a PW50 for her friend's son. I assume that since they have not changed much since I was 50 class eligible that a used one would work. It will be his first bike with no immediate intentions of racing. Are there things to look for or look out for on a used one? Are there any years that are preferred? Any other bike recommendations for a beginner with no intentions of racing?
Thanks in advance.
 
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4DAIVI PAI2K5 said:
Seems like decent ones aren't much cheaper then new.
My ex just sold her other sons 2023 for 2k
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100% agree with this. We bought ours new. Never had any problems with it. Sold it for prob 1500 or so. Just easier to deal with. When bought new in the exhaust is a washer/restrictor that helps when they are first starting out. Then you can take it out once they are used to it. Just helps keep the power down.

Tips with maintenance:

Clean the filter every time you ride it. Even if it’s in the grass for 20min. Just clean the filter.

Learn how to clean the carb out. I cleaned mine all the time. Maybe every other ride. Always dirt in the bottom of the bowl. Never any issues. Just something I noticed. I credit the crappy filter for that.

There is an air screw carb mod you can do. I suggest it. It cleans the bike out much quicker and gives it a little more pep

Don’t forget about the oil pump. I ran mine and it was fine until it gummed up and I had throttle sticking issues. Just a little carb cleaner and a soft brush cleaned it right up. Threw some WD on it and it was fine.

Final suggestion is to buy a second OEM throttle cable and choke cable. My choke cable rusted out in the first few months which was odd. But it’s super thin. Just buy them and keep them in the toolbox. The throttle cable is 2 into 1, going from the carb (2) into 1 at the throttle tube. They connect together in the middle of the bike.

Handlebars are always a nice addition but my little guy was small so he didn’t need the higher bars.

I also did a clutch spring mod. Didn’t notice a huge change in power. But mainly jetting is the key.
 
Thanks for the tips. I will have to go visit Tom at Beechmont Motorsports and see if he remembers me after 30 years. (of course it was only Beechmont Yamaha back then and a fraction of the current size.)
 
bruceb said:
Thanks for the tips. I will have to go visit Tom at Beechmont Motorsports and see if he remembers me after 30 years. (of course it was only Beechmont Yamaha back then and a fraction of the current size.)
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He will remember you or at least not act like he doesn't. Plus its worth a visit to see his vintage bikes. I have bought a a few small Yamahas from Beechmont. I bought new, never had a problem, and always got 70% of what I paid back when I sold them and moved up to bigger bikes.

My favorite little bike for my kids was an old MR50 I bought at Mid-Ohio for $300 when they were 4 and 6. They rode all weekend in a field next to the track. Soon I had a line of kids waiting to ride and told the dads that as long as they brought pre-mix, we would just keep letting anyone ride. Best part in hindsight was them learning to use a clutch.
 
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My daughters runs like a top.

On ETHANOL FREE FUEL.
And I usually give her 1-2 ounces of sea foam with every fill up…

Bought it new. It’s almost easier to buy new than look for used. I’d sell mine but I got a 4 year old lookin to ride it next. Followed by my 5 month old son George. I plan on getting some use outta this bike!
 
They found a 2010 model for $700. Do you forsee any problems with one that old provided that it has been maintained properly and not raced. Anything to look for on a used one, especially that old?
 
Nope. They are all the exact same thing.

Just some things to look out for is if they blocked the oil injection and just premix the gas. Also check to see if it starts correctly. As in how the switch operates. Usually people will mess with those and have it just be on off.

I’m particular on my kids bikes so I like to have things work as they should.
 
Thank you for all of the help, but there has been a change of plans. Now looking at Chinese made mini(s). They found a new (in box) 2022 ssr sx50a for $569. Any tips, pointers, or suggestions on Chinese 50cc minis.
 
bruceb said:
Thank you for all of the help, but there has been a change of plans. Now looking at Chinese made mini(s). They found a new (in box) 2022 ssr sx50a for $569. Any tips, pointers, or suggestions on Chinese 50cc minis.
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Pointer is give them $1,500 and go out buy an electric ktm or new pw, or really maybe a ttr50 your best bet. Crf50. Have them add the $569 difference and theyll Be out the door with a generational machine that will take an arse beating and still
Run.
 
If it’s just a play bike to learn going the cheap route isn’t a bad idea. If he enjoys it and wants more down the road get an actual race bike but till then I’d let them rip it. Another thing you could take into consideration is the e-bikes are more expensive however I don’t know if they live in a neighborhood or what not but if they do and there is a field nearby you could ride in that field with zero issues due to zero noise. I used to when I was younger but got the cops called quite a bit!!
 
bruceb said:
Thank you for all of the help, but there has been a change of plans. Now looking at Chinese made mini(s). They found a new (in box) 2022 ssr sx50a for $569. Any tips, pointers, or suggestions on Chinese 50cc minis
Click to expand...
My neighbor, single mom, bought one for her 5 year old son because he was interested in the bikes I race. I spent as much time trying to keep that bike usable as my 1979 KX250. Things broke in ways I didn't think dirtbikes could break. Eventually she got tired of trying to keep it going and her son lost interest.

Maybe they are better now, this was 10 years ago. The Carb was a constant source frustration. I don't have any experience with the electric bikes.

Tough to beat a little honda or yamaha for trouble free use and resale value - you will get 60-75% of the new price back and can apply to the next bike. I see quite a few on Marketplace around the Cincinnati area for under $1400 (and that is the asking price).

I have a TTR125, last of the kids bikes, that I will be selling for $900 but too big for what you are looking for.
 
I did see a nice looking one on the club mx site..I think it was 1500.00..kind of far to go unless you are planning a riding trip.
 
I bought a PW50 for our oldest grandson like 10 years ago, and at this point 5 of our 7 grandchildren have learned to ride on that bike. I have had to do next to no maintenance on that thing, and it's as bulletproof reliable as the old 1960's Yamaha DT's. I can go out in the garage and in three kicks have it fired up. We have two more grandkids to ride it yet, and then we'll eventually let it go.

With all of that being said, three weeks ago I was approached by a neighbor about his sons 2015 TTR50, asked if I would look at it, doesn't like to start or run.
Initially just figured I would be doing a carb and jet cleaning and then wheeling it back over to his house, all-done......... not so! I began going through all the usual checks, Air, Fuel, Spark, etc., with no results. Did a carb cleaning, and still no fire. Finally went online, only to find the TTR50's tend to be notorious for becoming hard starters. Electric start with no kicker only adds to the frustation. I upgraded to recommended pilot and main jet's and really dug deep into the starting fuel circuit in the carb. I can get the bike to start and run, but only if I choke the carb throat with my thumb. Now I'm at the point of compression checks and likely top end job. And I don't have time of this.

I've also got a 2018 KX65 that I bought used from our Honda dealer down the street, that was and is still, like brand new that I will be likely selling at some point soon, as none of my grandkids want to ride it.

As a family we're gradually moving past our grandkid mini-cycle stage. And none of them want or enjoy riding as much as grandpa does.

( SATURDAY Dec 7th update: Tested the TTR50 this afternoon, it has a compression test result of a whopping 65 psi. Afterward I tested my PW50 just for giggles and it was easily pinging 120psi, which is actually low for that bike I believe.)
 
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The thing I’ve noticed and tell people all the time is that “it’s a lot of work”. It’s not just motocross but really any sport. We snowboard and BMX a lot and we try to golf. No matter the sport it takes huge commitment and sacrifice to do. Kids only want to do the next cool thing. It’s hard to keep their interest in things, especially with video games. My son is no different than any other kid. There is days he doesn’t want to ride but I make him go. Then he has the time of his life and hangs out with all his friends. There’s also times it’s cold and he doesn’t want to go snowboarding. But we do it. Yes it’s pushing them to do things but the alternative is doing nothing and watching YouTube seeing other people doing the thing you could be. At the end of the day it’s all about experiencing things and knowing you can do them. That’s why you having a bike for the grandkids is important. It’s a lot of work. But they will all have memories of that PW and who knows. Maybe in 15yrs it will ignite a spark for them and they will ask for help on a bike project they want to do. Yes it’s a lot of work… but it’s worth it.
 
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