History of the Suzuki A50 Motorcycle
The Suzuki A50 (1971 – 76) was a simple idea to create a 49cc clone of their immensely popular A 100 commuter motorcycle. That 100cc bike had proven very popular as a reliable basic ride around town. Suzuki kept the frame and specs of the A 100 as they were, just replaced the engine. This created a lower-powered, more affordable motorcycle that was a best-seller, especially in Asia, where versions of the bike are still found.
The new engine used in the Suzuki A50 was similar in design to the proven A 100 two-stroke single-cylinder engine. An air-cooled rotary-disc value, it came with an automatic lube pump and a five-speed transmission. The Suzuki A50 managed to put out 4.8 hp at 8,500 rpm, which wasn’t bad for a basic running or commuting bike. The five speed transmission seems like a lot for a small 50cc bike, but it certainly helps with mileage! On the open road, the Suzuki A50 was out of its league, with a reported top speed of less than 90 kmph.
In fact, the Suzuki A50 was listed as a moped in many parts of the world. In fact, the only known variants of this motorcycle are the Suzuki A50P and Suzuki A50PD models designed for the Dutch market, where pedals were required by law for any moped. Even today, a surviving Suzuki A50 would class as a moped on UK roads, while still providing a proper cycling experience.
The Suzuki A50 was also a very light bike, weighing in at just 73kg. This made it popular as a quick and easy ride in congested urban areas, and a preferred entry-level ride for many young people. The brakes were pretty standard for the ’70s: double drum brakes. For a bike with this power and size, they actually work quite well. It is also possible to find authentic Suzuki A50s from the 70s with front discs; some later batches had them as factory standard.
Typically, any surviving Suzuki A50 will be easy to restore to pristine condition. Old two-strokes are known to be built for the long haul… you can still see Suzuki A50 in some Asian countries, working for a solid 3 decades! In the UK this little 50cc hybrid moped motorcycle is still used by loyal owners and the classic motorcycle club. With the right replacement parts, even a neglected Suzuki A50 can be restored as a cool gift for growing motorcyclists. It’s slow and sure, but it features typical motorcycle controls, making it a great bike to learn on.