For more than half a century, Honda has been serving the world with some of the best motorcycles and scooters it can produce. One of its top creations is the Honda QA50, an off-road motorcycle easily affordable for the average mini bike lover. It has a sturdy chassis that supports its generous 1.8 horsepower engine. The QA50 was designed as a fuel-efficient yet powerful single-cylinder engine motorbike suited for complicated terrains and handling tough jobs.
Honda QA50 is a legend among motorbikes, having sold well over a million models in Japan alone. What’s more impressive is how well it’s aged over the years. Its looks have kept themselves up really well, and you’ll know that by taking one out for a spin. It sounds great, handles superbly and its iconic motor has got some real character.
So if you are an off-road mini bike enthusiast and want to know more about this vintage masterpiece this article is just for you. This review will cover all of the necessary specs and features rolled into one so that you can fully understand what it has to offer by the time you finish reading this piece!
Table of Contents
Honda QA50 History
The Honda QA50 is an off-road minibike manufactured by Honda. It was introduced in October 1970 as a successor to the earlier Honda C100 Super Cub. The QA50 had a four-stroke air-cooled engine with two valves per cylinder, which produced a claimed 1.8 hp (1.7 kW). The QA50 was available as either a step-through or conventional (with rear suspension) model, but neither had the shaft drive of previous models. Moreover, the body was finished with mesmerizing scarlet red and yellow colors. This mini dirt bike was designed with so many safety features that it was even suitable for a 5-year-old to ride.
The bodywork was changed several times during production, and engines were improved until 1971 when it was replaced by the Honda QA50 K0 50. Honda continued to produce the QA50 for export markets until 1975 when it was replaced by the Honda Z50J1/J2/J3 series.
About Honda QA50
Honda QA50 is a motorcycle that was manufactured by Honda in 1970. This is a small, light, and easy-to-use bike that was designed for children. It was the first ever bike with a built-in engine manufactured by Honda.
The QA50 was sold as an entry-level option for people who wanted to ride a scooter but did not have a motorcycle license. It was manufactured with a “step-through” frame that allowed easy access to the seat for both men and women. The QA50 also had a low weight of 84 pounds, which made it easier for riders to handle than other scooters with larger engines or frames.
The QA50 came with a 49 cc two-stroke engine that produced 1.8 hp at 5000 rpm. This gave it a top speed of 30 mph (48.3 km/h) and a range of 100 miles (160 km). The engine could be started with either kickstart or an electric starter, but you had to kickstart it every time you wanted to restart it after shutting off the engine.
The scooter had a fully enclosed chain cover that protected both riders from rain and dirt when riding outside during inclement weather conditions. This feature was one of the main selling points for many customers who purchased this scooter because they didn’t have to wear long pants or jackets while riding in bad weather conditions during winter months or early spring months when temperatures are still cold enough for snowfall in some parts of the country.
Honda QA50 specs
Engine and performance
Honda QA50 is powered by a 49cc 4-stroke engine that produces 1.8 hp at 5000 rpm. This engine is fitted to a tubular strong steel frame with a limited front suspension. The engine can propel the scooter to a top speed of 50kmph while delivering an excellent mileage of 100 km/l in city traffic conditions. The scooter also has a 4-stroke single-cylinder air-cooled motor with a semi-automatic gearbox and a fuel tank capacity of 5 liters. Moreover, if you are an acceleration lover this beast of an engine can go up to 25 to 45 mph in just one full tuck!
Dimensions and weight
The Honda QA50 measures 1250mm long, 600mm wide, and 850mm tall. The wheelbase measures 900mm. The bike weighs 84 pounds (dry weight), which is nearly as much as some cycles with a strong build.
With these dimensions and weight, this mini bike is ideal for kids who want to try their hand at off-roading. Its lightweight will greatly assist them in controlling it, as will its short length.
Braking and Handling
The Honda QA50 is a great scooter to ride. It feels solid and it handles pretty well. The brakes are easy to modulate and the cornering is predictable and stable.
Braking is handled by a single disc brake in the front, while the rear gets a drum brake. Both brakes work well and have a good feel and feedback through the handlebars. The brakes have decent power, but I wouldn’t call them strong or powerful by any means (and neither would Honda). They’ll stop you quickly enough for street riding though, so no complaints here.
Handling isn’t bad either; steering inputs feel natural and responsive under all circumstances, even at higher speeds. There are no noticeable body rolls or sudden movements when cornering hard around tight bends either, which makes this scooter ideal for daily use in city traffic as well as highway cruising.
Fuel tank capacity
The fuel tank on a Honda QA50 is located in front of the seat and has a capacity of 5 liters (1.32 gallons) which is more than enough for small outdoor offroading ventures for your little fella!
The fuel filler cap is located on the top side of the fuel tank, near. After you fill up your Honda QA50’s fuel tank, make sure to tighten the cap securely so that it doesn’t leak when riding.
Tires and wheels
The tires are one of the most important parts of your vehicle, as they provide a huge amount of grip and control. The Honda QA50 comes with a cast aluminum rim which is one of the core elements that define any bike’s style and appeal. Honda QA50 comes with a 12-inch front wheel and 12-inch 4.00-5 (2PR) rear tires which are mounted on these aluminum rims. Apart from its dimension, The QA50 has a 98 kPa (12.1 psi) tire pressure and the maximum permissible load is 400 Kg.
Suspension
The suspension on the Honda QA50 is a single-shock system with a spring-loaded front fork. The suspension is designed to provide a comfortable ride for the rider, but it can be difficult to adjust. When adjusting the suspension, you should always make sure that you have enough room around the bike so that other people do not get injured if something goes wrong.
This mini bike doesn’t offer rear suspension but is paired with a rigid rear end for support and balance. Moreover, this suspension gives this off-road a nice 170 mm clearance and a turning radius of 2.6 meters which provides sufficient centripetal force to counter overturning moment.
Transmission and clutch
The transmission in the QA50 is a 2-speed semi-automatic. In addition, this model has a clutch that is operated by cable. The clutch pedal works together with the transmission to engage and disengage power from the engine.
The QA50’s transmission is a multi-plate clutch assembly, which means it can easily deliver power to the ground and make handling easy and stable for young off-roading enthusiasts.
The offroad bike comes with a fiber clutch plate which is operated by a front handle lever. To engage the clutch, simply push down on the lever with your hand until it becomes tight against its stop inside the transmission case.
Ignition System
The electrical ignition system of the Honda QA50 is a contact breaker type starter, with a direct current voltage of 12 volts. The contact breaker point ignition system is a type of ignition system used in small combustion engines, such as lawnmowers, string trimmers, and snowmobiles. This type of system has been replaced by the CDI (capacitor discharge ignition) system in most applications.
The contact breaker point ignition system consists of a coil, an ignition switch, and a distributor cap. The coil creates an electromagnetic field when current flows through it. The distributor cap routes the current to each spark plug via secondary wires that run from the cap to each spark plug at the top of each cylinder.
Honda QA50 features
Low seat height
The Honda QA50 is a 49cc off-road mini bike that provides the fun and convenience of a scooter with the economy and affordability of a moped. The QA50 has a low seat height, making it easy to get on and off. It also makes it very popular with shorter riders who can sit flat-footed on it. The QA50 is also popular with older riders because of its low weight, fully automatic transmission, and ease of handling.
Appearance
The Honda QA50 has been designed with a modern look and this makes it stand out from other bikes on the road. The looks of this bike are very attractive, but it also has some amazing features that make it stand out from other bikes on the road.
Honda’s new generation of scooters was designed to be more rider-friendly and comfortable than previous models. While the QA50 does not have a floorboard like some other scooters, it does have a step-through design for easier mounting and dismounting. The seat height is 28 inches (76 cm) from the ground, which makes it easy for most riders to step up onto the seat.
The Honda QA50 is available in two colors: Red and yellow. The yellow color is my favorite because it gives it a nice vintage off-road bike look. You can find all of these colors in the standard model or in the ABS model (which includes anti-lock brakes).
Build quality
The build quality of this scooter is excellent for its price range. It is made of steel and plastic, with aluminum wheels, which gives it a very sturdy feel when riding it. The seat is comfortable and adjustable so that you can move it back and forth to make more space between the seat and handlebars. The instrumentation on this scooter is basic but functional, with an electric starter and front and back wheel guards.
Air-cooled engine
The QA50 comes with a 50 cc air-cooled engine. The good thing about an air-cooled engine is that it doesn’t have as many moving parts as other types of engines do. This means that they are cheaper to make and easier to fix when something goes wrong with them. This also means that they don’t use as much fuel as other types of engines do, but this makes them less powerful than other types of engines.
Price and model
Despite the fact that the Honda QA50 is an old off-road bike, it has retained its value and worth. Between the 1970s and the 1970s, there were eight different QA50 models available, including the QAK0, QA50, QA50 K0 50, K2, and K3. The first model QAK0 was released in 1970, and it now has a retail/trade-in value ranging from 600 to 2500$ depending on the quality.
The QA50, which was also released in 1970, now has a retail/trade-in value ranging from $800 to $4000. The model QA50 K0 50 was released in 1971, and it is now worth between 850 and 4000 dollars. The cheapest model was the 1975 release QA50 K3 50, which now sells for $400 to $1000.
Why buy the QA50
There are many reasons why you should buy a Honda QA50. First of all, it is a great bike for beginners or people who are just starting out with biking. It is also perfect for your children who want to know what it feels like to ride a real bike. Below are some of the reasons this bike is worth the buck!
Everyone’s little bike
The QA50 is a small 49cc 4-stroke off-road that’s easy to ride, with a low seat height, and is lightweight. It’s perfect for beginners, but also has enough power to be fun for more advanced riders too.
The QA50 has plenty of torque so it can be ridden like a scooter if you prefer. The low seat means it’s easy to maneuver around town or in tight spaces, while the automatic transmission means no clutch or gears to worry about – just enjoy the ride!
Easy to ride
This vehicle is very easy to ride, even if you have never ridden a bike before. You don’t need a license or registration in order to buy this bike, and once you start riding it, you will feel like you are flying without wings.
Affordable price
Another reason why the Honda QA50 off-road mini bike is so popular among people is because of its affordability. If you compare it with other bikes available in the market today, you will find out that this one costs much less than most other models available today.
Longer Service Life
The Honda QA50 comes with an air-cooled engine, which ensures that there are no oil leaks or other problems associated with water-cooled engines. Moreover, the bike is designed in such a way that it can withstand vibrations and shocks caused by bad roads and uneven terrain easily without getting damaged easily as other bikes do. This makes its service life longer than other bikes that break down easily when used on rough surfaces.
Safe
The Honda QA50 has an electric starter system, which makes it very easy to start the engine without having to kick-start it manually. It also has an automatic transmission system, which makes the shifting gear very smooth and easy even for beginners. This reduces the chances of accidents caused by sudden changes in speed or direction during driving.
Honda QA50 buying guide
The Honda QA50 is one of the most comfortable and safe scooters for your little fella on the market today. It features a simple and user-friendly design that makes it a great choice for beginners. However, there are some things you should know before buying one of these machines. Here are some tips to help you select a used Honda QA50 scooter:
Make sure the mileage on your Honda QA50 is reasonable
If you’re buying from Craigslist or another online marketplace, make sure that the mileage on your used Honda QA50 is reasonable. You don’t want to buy a scooter with 50,000 miles if you’re not going to ride it very often. These machines can be very expensive if they need repairs after only 10,000 miles of use.
Make sure you are buying the right variant
As we already mentioned, the Honda QA50 comes in 8 different variants. So make sure before purchasing that you are buying the right variant for yourself.
Check for cracks on the bodywork and paintwork
if there are any cracks or chips in the paintwork, this could indicate damage from an accident or poor storage conditions which could lead to rusting underneath.
Check the tires
Make sure that there are no punctures or bald spots on the tires as this could mean that they have been underinflated or overused. If there are any signs of wear, then it may be worth replacing them with new ones before riding away with your new purchase.
Check the breaks
When it comes to the condition of breaks, there are no exceptions. Therefore Make sure that breaks work properly.
Conclusion
Overall, the Honda QA50 is a phenomenal off-road mini bike for your little buddy. It looks cool and performs on par with the best. Honda did an excellent job in designing such a cool and innovative bike that has become a favorite for students and commuters alike. The QA50 might not be the most affordable option but it sure is worth every penny you spend on it. It’s time that you grab yourself one of these powerful machines and add it to your collection of awesome vehicles.
