2024 Yamaha PW50 Owner’s Manual

The 2024 Yamaha PW50 continues the legacy of being an approachable and beginner-friendly off-road motorcycle, purpose-built for young riders. With its familiar 49cc 2-stroke engine, automatic transmission, and low seat height, the PW50 maintains its reputation for providing a safe and controlled environment for children to learn the fundamentals of riding. The addition of throttle restrictions, lightweight design, and durable construction ensures a seamless transition into motorcycling, making the PW50 a trusted choice for introducing the next generation to the world of off-road adventure.

Handlebar switch

Engine stop switch “OFF/RUN/START”
Set this switch to “START” before starting the engine. Set this switch to “RUN” after warming up the engine or before starting off. Set this switch to “OFF” to stop the engine.

TIP

• The engine cannot be started with this switch set to the “RUN” posi-tion.
• The engine speed is limited while this switch is set to the “START” position, therefore the motorcycle cannot be ridden in that switch position.

Speed limiter and power re-
duction plate
Your motorcycle is equipped with an adjustable speed limiter and a power reduction plate. The speed limiter keeps the throttle from fully opening, even when the throttle grip is turned to the maximum. The power reduction plate is installed in the exhaust mani-fold to limit the amount of power avail-able while learning.
Speed limiter

1. Loosen the locknut.
2. To increase the maximum engine power available and the maximum speed of the motorcycle, turn the adjusting screw in direction (a). To decrease the maximum engine power available and the maximum speed of the motorcycle, turn the adjusting screw in direction (b).
   1. Locknut
   2. Adjusting screw
3. Tighten the locknut.
   1. No more than 7 mm (0.28 in)

TIP
The adjusting range of the speed limit-er screw is from the fully turned-in po-sition to 7 mm (0.28 in) turned out. When the screw is turned out to 7 mm (0.28 in), the throttle grip can only be opened approximately halfway. If more power is required, please consult a Yamaha dealer.

WARNING
Improper adjustment of the speed limiter could cause improper throttle operation. You could lose control, have an accident or be injured. Do not turn the adjusting screw out more than 7 mm (0.28 in) before con-sulting a Yamaha dealer. Always make sure the throttle grip free play is adjusted to 1.5–3.5 mm (0.06–0.14 in). (See page 7-14.)

Power reduction plate
Once the rider can operate with skill at the top speed permitted by adjusting the speed limiter alone, the power re-duction plate can be removed. (See page 7-7.)

Front brake lever
The front brake lever is located on the right side of the handlebar. To apply the front brake, pull this lever toward the throttle grip.

Rear brake lever
The rear brake lever is located on the left side of the handlebar. To apply the rear brake, pull this lever toward the handlebar grip.

Fuel tank cap
To remove the fuel tank cap, turn it counterclockwise, and then pull it off. To install the fuel tank cap, insert it into the tank opening, and then turn it clockwise.

WARNING
Make sure that the fuel tank cap is properly closed after filling the fuel. Leaking fuel is a fire hazard.

Instrument and control functions

Fuel
Make sure there is sufficient gasoline in the tank.

WARNING
Gasoline and gasoline vapors are extremely flammable. To avoid fires and explosions and to reduce the risk of injury when refueling, follow these instructions.

1. Before refueling, turn off the en-gine and be sure that no one is sit-ting on the vehicle. Never refuel while smoking, or while in the vi-cinity of sparks, open flames, or other sources of ignition such as the pilot lights of water heaters and clothes dryers.
2. Do not overfill the fuel tank. Stop filling when the fuel reaches the bottom of the filler tube. Because fuel expands when it heats up, heat from the engine or the sun can cause fuel to spill out of the fuel tank.
   1. Fuel tank filler tube
   2. Maximum fuel level
3. Wipe up any spilled fuel immedi-ately.
   NOTICE: Immediately wipe off spilled fuel with a clean, dry, soft cloth, since fuel may deteriorate painted surfaces or plastic parts. [ECA10072]
4. Be sure to securely close the fuel tank cap.

WARNING
Gasoline is poisonous and can cause injury or death. Handle gaso-line with care. Never siphon gasoline by mouth. If you should swallow some gasoline or inhale a lot of gas-oline vapor, or get some gasoline in your eyes, see your doctor immedi-ately. If gasoline spills on your skin, wash with soap and water. If gaso-line spills on your clothing, change your clothes.

Recommended fuel:
Regular unleaded gasoline only

Fuel tank capacity:
2.0 L (0.5 US gal, 0.4 Imp.gal)

Your Yamaha engine has been designed to use regular unleaded gasoline with a pump octane number [(R+M)/2] of 86 or higher, or a research octane number of 91 or higher. If knocking (or pinging) occurs, use gasoline of a different brand or premium unleaded fuel. Use of unleaded fuel will extend the spark plug life and reduce maintenance costs.

Gasohol
There are two types of gasohol: gasohol containing ethanol and that containing methanol. Gasohol-containing ethanol can be used if the ethanol content does not exceed 10% (E10). Gasohol containing methanol is not recommended by Yamaha because it can cause damage to the fuel system or vehicle performance problems.

Fuel tank breather hose

1. 1. Fuel tank breather hose

Before operating the motorcycle:

• Check the fuel tank breather hose connection.
• Check the fuel tank breather hose for cracks or damage, and replace it if necessary.
• Make sure that the fuel tank breather hose is not blocked, and clean it if necessary.

2-stroke engine oil
Make sure that there is sufficient 2-stroke engine oil in the oil tank. Add the recommended 2-stroke engine oil as necessary.

1. 2-stroke engine oil tank cap
2. Minimum level mark

Recommended oil:
See page 9-1.

Oil quantity:
0.30 L (0.32 US qt, 0.26 Imp.qt)

NOTICE
Make sure that the 2-stroke engine oil tank cap is properly installed.

Fuel cock
The fuel cock supplies fuel from the tank to the carburetor while filtering it also.

The fuel cock has two positions:
S (stop)

1. 1. Arrow mark pointing to “S” (stop)

With the lever in this position, fuel will not flow. Always return the lever to this position when the engine is not run-ning.

O (on)

1. Arrow mark pointing to “O” (on)

With the lever in this position, fuel flows to the carburetor. Normal riding is done with the lever in this position.

Starter (choke) lever 
Starting a cold engine requires a richer air-fuel mixture, which is supplied by the starter (choke). Move the lever in direction (a) to turn on the starter (choke). Move the lever in direction (b) to turn off the starter (choke).

Kickstarter
To start the engine, fold out the kick-starter lever, move it down lightly with your foot until the gears engage, and then push it down smoothly but forcefully.

Inspect your vehicle each time you use it to make sure the vehicle is in safe oper-ating condition. Always follow the inspection and maintenance procedures and schedules described in the Owner’s Manual.

WARNING
Failure to inspect or maintain the vehicle properly increases the possibility of an accident or equipment damage. Do not operate the vehicle if you find any problem. If a problem cannot be corrected by the procedures provided in this manual, have the vehicle inspected by a Yamaha dealer.

WARNING
Failure to familiarize yourself with the controls can lead to loss of con-trol, which could cause an accident or injury.

Starting and warming up a cold engine

1. Turn the fuel cock lever to “O” (on).
2. Set the engine stop switch to “START”.
3. Turn the starter (choke) on and completely close the throttle. (See page 4-7.)
4. While applying the front or rear brake, start the engine by pushing the kickstarter lever down.
5. When the engine is warm, turn the starter (choke) off and set the en-gine stop switch to “RUN”.

TIP
The engine is warm when it responds quickly to the throttle with the starter (choke) turned off.

NOTICE
For maximum engine life, never ac-celerate hard when the engine is cold!

Starting a warm engine
Follow the same procedure as for starting a cold engine with the excep-tion that the starter (choke) is not re-quired when the engine is warm. Instead, start the engine with the throt-tle slightly open.

TIP
If the engine does not start after sever-al kicks, try again with the throttle 1/4 to 1/2 open.

Starting off

1. While applying the rear brake le-ver, push the motorcycle off the centerstand.
2. Completely close the throttle.
3. Set the engine stop switch to “RUN”.
4. Check for oncoming off-road vehi-cles, release the rear brake lever, and then slowly turn the throttle grip in order to take off.

Acceleration and deceleration
The speed can be adjusted by opening and closing the throttle. To increase the speed, turn the throttle grip in di-rection (a). To reduce the speed, turn the throttle grip in direction (b).

Braking

WARNING

• Avoid braking hard or suddenly (especially when leaning over to one side), otherwise the motor-cycle may skid or overturn.
• Keep in mind that braking on wet surfaces is much more diffi-cult.
• Ride slowly down a hill, as brak-ing downhill can be very diffi-cult.

1. Close the throttle completely.
2. Apply both front and rear brakes simultaneously while gradually in-creasing the pressure.

FAQ