The ZB50 did not sell well in the USA because during that same year (1988) Yamaha was also selling a 50cc street bike called the YSR50. The YSR50 had full plastic fairing and a 2 stroke 50cc 5 speed manual transmission, easily beating the 4 stroke ZB50 in stock form. Too bad Honda did not introduce their 50cc 2 stroke liquid cooled 6 speed NSR50into the US market! Then there would of been good competition!!!
The ZB50 is a very well built bike, (but sadly to say we got the Monkey RT version-dual purpose style, not the Monkey R-race version!!!). Everything on the bike is nice and built right, especially with the paint job on the frame and the gas tank. All painted parts have a good thick clear coat on them just like the full size sport bikes! The engine is a 4 stroke 50cc engine with a 3 speed semi-automatic. It is basicly the same engine used in the Mini-Trail 50, but has the upgraded roller bearing cam. This cam is good because it reduced the load needed to drive the valve train, meaning MORE POWER! The electrical system is not the old points type, but a fully electronic 12 volt C.D. ignition system (C.D.I.). The ZB50 is fully street legal with all lights and turn signals (just like any other motorcycle). Maximum speed is about 45 MPH in stock form, but acceleration is really poor. I would guess about 20 seconds from 0-45 MPH (depending on gearing) but still can't out run a stock YSR50. Therefore I started my Project ZB50. Click here for more info!! Project ZB50.
I had a very hard time finding my ZB50s. I had been looking for almost 3 years before I found these two. If you have the chance to buy one, don't wait and think about it, just buy it! The ZB50 was strictly designed for street use, but most were used by kids as dirt bikes resulting in bent swing arms, dented tanks, scratched frames and more!!! So if you have a ZB50, please don't use it as a dirt bike! Get yourself a Z50 instead!!!
The ZB50 in the back has 221.5 miles while the one closest to you has 121 miles. The tires that came with the ZB50 in stock form were the IRC dual purpose tires that made the ZB50 look very bad! They were skinny, making the ZB50 look like scooter and not a street bike. I replaced them with fat Bridgestone Molas 16 tires.
I began to build this page because I could not find any information on the ZB50 anywhere on the internet. If you have any additonal information to add on the ZB50 or see any history errors, please feel free to email me. Thanks.
These two bikes have now been sold to two very lucky collectors!!
If you have a ZB50, please be sure to sign up with the ZB50 owner's group! Click HERE!