Since 1978, the Japanese manufacturer Yamaha has enriched its catalog of mopeds with a real commercial success: the Yamaha DT 50. One of the best-sellers of the Japanese brand, this has been available in several versions ranging from trail to supermoto. . During its long career, the legendary cyclo saw numerous developments in terms of design as well as engine. Zoom in on the story of an unstoppable star.
The birth of the Yamaha DT 50 in 1978
It was towards the end of the 1970s that Yamaha launched the DT 50 M, a moped which is similar in aesthetic to the DT 125 MX. It was characterized by its single-cradle tubular frame, its cylinder capacity of 49.75 cm3 and its 4-speed manual gearbox. As soon as it arrived in France, the 2-wheeler with a 2-stroke engine met with great success, particularly among young people dazzled by its looks, its handling and its all-terrain capabilities. It is not surprising that more than 10,000 units were sold in the first year of launch, followed by 15,000 machines which found buyers the following year. A great success which unfortunately ended with the French decree banning the manual gearbox for 50 cm displacements3.
The addition of an automatic transmission in 1980
No offense to its detractors, Yamaha takes the upper hand by offering an automatic version of the DT 50 M. Specially intended for the French market, this version designed by the Motobécane factory takes the name DT 50 R and is displayed with a dual variator transmission and a clutch similar to that of scooters.
The DT 50 was modernized in 1983
In 1983, pedals were no longer compulsory on mopeds in France. The Japanese manufacturer decides to revisit the mechanics of the DT, which will then be equipped with a rear suspension with a single shock absorber. To limit the speed of the moped, Yamaha replaced the breaker ignition with an electronic ignition with a restricted CDI. In 1988 a significant improvement was made to the design with the new square faired headlight replacing the old round headlight.
The DT 50 automatic disappeared from the catalog in 1991
After dominating the market for almost a decade, and attracting more than 70,000 young people in France, the DT 50 is retiring and will no longer appear in the Yamaha catalog. From now on, the DT 50 R and the DT 50 M are widely coveted by collectors. We can even still come across young people who travel daily with these motorcycles on the roads of Portugal or even in the French Overseas Territories.
The DT 50 with gears was imported again into France in 1996
With the re-authorization of manual gearboxes on mopeds in France, Yamaha is once again offering the DT 50 in its catalog. Its subsidiary MBK has also launched the same model under the name X-Limit.
The AM6 6-speed engine was launched in 1998
Towards the end of the 1990s, Yamaha decided to design the powerful AM6 6-speed engine. Created by the Italian equipment manufacturer Motori Minarelli, this engine equips the DT in its enduro and supermoto versions.
The DT 50 was equipped with a new reinforced chassis in 2003
One of the decisive developments of the DT 50 is undoubtedly the addition of a reinforced perimeter frame. The latter fitted Yamaha’s latest generation enduro and supermoto models, the DT 50 R and the DT 50 X, which appeared in the catalog between 2003 and 2011.
2011, or the cessation of production of the DT 50
The new anti-pollution standard has brought a major wind of change to the moped market in Europe. But unfortunately it also required significant investments that Yamaha could not afford to make. This is why, in 2011, the Japanese manufacturer chose to stop production of the DT 50.
