Motorcycle specifications YamahaPW 50 2026 Young discovery

the PW is certainly the best-known motorcycle model for very young riders. It's a veritable institution, even a given for some when it comes to introducing youngsters to motorized two-wheelers.

small and cute, it has everything to please. It's just the right size for youngsters, it's easy to use, and above all, it's really a motorcycle, not a sliding blunderbuss with two wheels.

the formula is amazing right from the start. As the PW is as big as 3 apples and no heavier than a good exercise bike, a parent can almost ride it under the arm. Then, just pop it in the boot of your car. After that, the kid can really take on the role of mini-pilot. The Yam doesn't pretend: knobby tires, carburetor, single-cylinder kick, gasoline fumes, throttle and brakes to manage - this is a pocket-sized bike.

but there's no need for anxious parents to panic. The PW 50 does some of the heavy lifting, especially on the more technically challenging bits. For a start, the gearbox is fully automatic. This allows the young rider to concentrate on driving. There's no need to worry about shifting gears. The 3 gears shift by themselves thanks to a centrifugal clutch.
Next, a screw adjusts the opening of the throttle, limiting the power of the 2-stroke single. In this way, power can be gradually released as the rider learns to ride and becomes more confident.

as the saddle is only 47.5 cm from the ground, getting to grips with the bike won't be impressive. At first, all you have to do is grab the handlebars, make it clear that you only need to operate the brakes with the two controls on the handlebars, not accelerate when braking, and apply the throttle as you feel it. The bike is easy, not tricky at all, light and a lot of fun. A little caution at the start, though. The mechanical behavior is exhilarating for most, but can intimidate the impressionable. Make sure your child is at ease so as not to be surprised. It's not a draisienne.
As the PW 50 reacts to the same physical rules as any other motorcycle, it will require the same technical training to get the most out of it. Eye contact, support, power management, suspension movement, etc...

yamaha also plans to simplify maintenance of its favourite toy. There's no need to worry about mixing oil: the PW has a separate oil tank and takes care of the cocktail. The cardan shaft transmission prevents grease splashes, dirty hands... or getting them stuck in the chain.

extremely popular, the PW 50 is also such a well-built motorcycle that it has remained virtually unchanged since its birth in 1980 in the USA - it arrived in France a year later. The design and technical solutions have remained the same for 40 years. Only a few trim pieces were reworked in 1984. Like all cross-country machines, the design is renewed almost every year.

with its small air-cooled engine, simple steel frame, drum brakes and design focused on the essentials, the PW began its career with another striking argument: price. Not only was it THE introductory bike for kids, it was also inexpensive. Since then, the price has become (a little too) expensive.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos