Anybody seen a Honda MB5 lately?

[larrybuck]

It's a tiny 50cc sportbike made back in the early '80's. If I remember right, it may have been a 2stroke. It had real shocks, and got super mpg.

[beatr911]

I haven't seen one in the flesh for a loooong time. Yeah good mpg but not much power. I remember someone setting a new time record on one going from Mexico to Canada in the 50cc class. He put coffee cans on the side of the engine so he wouldn't be stopped by the police for riding on the freeway with too small an engine. I think it topped out at about 60 or so?

[Christ]

I'm trying to get my hands on a YSR/NSR 50.

[roosterk0031]

I see one every summer in the next town, I'd go RS50 or 125, local dealer has a leftover brand new RS125 for 5k, CBR250 would be a better buy, but 125 might be quicker and lighter.

As much fun as those would be for a little while I'll end up with a KLR650 or XR650 most likely, though a nephew has a 05 zx10r he's thinking about selling.

Just browsing local craigs YSR50 for $1000, those are tiny sport bikes, the MB5 is a moped by comparison. But would be fun a gocart tracks, they have some somewhat local races for those.

[cactus jon]

MB5 was a great two-stroke cycle!! They had 18" wheels, so the gyroscopic action was much like a motorcycle. It also had a 5 speed transmission with chain and sprockets to drive the rear wheel. Even though this was 50cc, you might have a difficult time getting one of these by the government as a 50cc scooter. In stock configuration, they were capable of hitting 55~60 miles per hour. I think they were rated at 6.5 horsepower. I would buy one of these in a heartbeat, but the people who own these know what they are worth. Kawasaki also made a similar bike called an AR80.

[larrybuck]

Very interesting about the AR80! I used to have a bright red MB5. I'm sure I looked funny on it trying to tuck down being 6 4". I used to go and visit my Dad some 25 miles away using all country backroads at 25mph. Every 30 min., I would let it "rest" 10-15 minutes, because I didn't want to burn it up. The only other 2-stroke I've had was a '75 Yamaha RD350. What a wheelie machine!
Anyway, back to the MB5; I planned my visit w my Dad hours ahead of time, as the "trip", visit, and return took most of 1/2 a day it seemed!
My funniest moment w the MB5, was I was nearing the last 5 miles out in the sticks completing about a 25 mile ride. It was near dusk, and I was tired of "tucking" so long. My head was so far down that my vision was limited; and at 25mph I suddenly came across a deer not intimidated at all by my "weed-eater" and I remember barely avoiding disaster! lol!