Quick Ride
Quick Ride
YAMAHA TT-R50E
Mini size, maxi fun
OH, TO BE 6 AGAIN. Or 7,8 or 9, even. Not that any of us yearn to go through the pain and anguish of growing up all over again. But have you checked out what's available these days in kids' bikes? Motorcycle showrooms are packed with incredibly cool and competent bikes built specifically for youngsters in that age range. A kid who still carries a Buzz Lightyear lunchbox can ride a motorcycle that looks-and in many cases behaves-like a scaled-down version of a full-size, top-line dirtbike. If you're old enough to be a parent, you can only dream about what it would have been like to begin your riding career on such fantastic little funbikes.
One of the funnest is the latest addition to Yamaha's playbike line, the TT-R5OE.
It’s a purposeful-looking little bugger, with an inverted fork, a Monocross singleshock rear suspension and graphics that mimic those of the company’s YZ motocross models. So, although it’s suitably small and compact (129-pound dry weight, 21.9-inch seat height, 10inch wheels) for wee folk, the 50E doesn’t look like a dumb little toy.
Doesn’t perform like one, either. The 49cc four-stroke engine is linked to a threespeed transmission via a centrifugal clutch, so your little dude or dudette won’t be distracted by clutch operation while learning to control the tiny TT-R; the clutch automatically disengages any time the gearshift lever is moved or the bike comes to a stop. Shifting is just a matter of pushing up or down on the lever with the left boot, and pulling away from a stop is no more difficult than rolling open the throttle.
Firing up the engine is easier yet, thanks to the TT-R50E’s electric starter. Some hard-liners are opposed to such a feature on a kid’s bike, feeling that knowing how to kick-start a motorcycle is part of the learning process; but with more and more full-size dirtbikes coming with The Button, the entire kickstarting issue is rapidly becoming moot.
Besides, the joy of motorcycling is in the riding, not the kicking, and the TT-R50E delivers plenty of fun for kids who like to play in the dirt. The sohc motor doles out just enough power to exhilarate youngsters but not so much as to intimidate. But just in case, the twistgrip has an adjustable stop that limits the amount of throttle opening so parents can dial down the performance until their little newbies log sufficient seat time. There’s also a keyed ignition to prevent kids from motoring off without parental consent or supervision.
A bike of this size doesn’t have or need supercrossquality suspension, so the 3.8 inches of front-wheel travel and 2.8 at the rear are just about right for the task at hand. Even as a young rider improves and keeps getting faster, the suspension, handling and brakes remain capable of dealing with the growing challenge.
Amazingly, the 2006 TTR50E’s list price is a mere $1149, only $50 more than Yamaha’s own PW50, a two-stroke, single-speed micro-mini. For the tiniest of young riders, the PW may be a better starting point, but for the rest of the SpongeBob crowd, the TT-R will serve their needs for years. -Paul Dean
