The story with Honda’s 50cc Elite scooters may be a bit confusing as Honda sold several different versions, generations and even entire scooters. This page deals with the 1988 - 2001 SA50 scooter (called the Elite LX, Elite SR and Elite S by Honda). The predecessor to the SA50 is the SE50 (aka Elite S and Elite) which is dealt with here. The physically smaller ’88 - ‘90 Elite E or Elite ES scooter is mostly a different animal so I’ve dealt with it separately on this page.
The SA50 was sold in the USA under the names Elite SR, Elite LX and Elite S. Honda’s reasons for referring to the regular version as both the Elite LX and Elite SR is confusing. It seems that the earlier ones were often called the Elite LX and then from 1991 they were called the ‘Elite SR’ but I could be wrong about this. The badging may have simply varied from state to state. What I do know is that by 1994 all SA50’s were badged as Elite SR’s except for the restricted speed versions.
Honda changed the SA50’s motor for 1994 from the aging AF05E powerplant to the newer AF16E engine found in Dio’s worldwide including Canada since 1992. With the new motor, Honda added a restricted version of this scooter (code SE50P) which was called the ‘Elite S’. This scooter was capable of 25 mph. The only restriction in the moped legal version is a restrictor plate in the variator, so it is easily removable to gain another 10mph. This scooter is very popular in areas that have legislation strongly favoring ‘mopeds’. People in these areas can buy the SA50P and turn it into a 70mph fire breather for only a few hundred dollars.
A decent selection of aftermarket parts are still available for these early ’88 - ’93 SA50’s. You can get 63cc big bore kits, variators, clutch springs and CDI’s. The selection isn’t as awesome as it is for the ’94 - ’01 SA50 but it’s not bad. Since these scooters share the same engine as the ’85 - ’87 Aero 50 and ’87 SE50, you can use parts from that scooter but Honda did make a number of small changes to the intake manifold, oil pump and crankshaft (and perhaps more) so be careful when buying parts.
With the switch to the newer ‘AF16E’ engine for ’94, the aftermarket parts options grew immensely. You can get 80cc big bore kits which can take this scooter to well over 100cc with the addition of a stroker crank. 70mph is attainable with a moderate 80cc build. While the core engine is the same between the ’94 - ‘01 Elite SR and the Canadian Dio, the airbox, carb and mufflers were all different so be careful when buying parts. The Dio had the same carb, airbox and exhaust found on the Japanese Dio’s, whereas the ’94 Elite 50 retained the airbox, carb and exhaust from the previous generation of Elite 50. I should mention that overseas many versions of the ‘Dio’ scooter are sold with a range of engines so be careful when buying parts intended for an asian Dio. Overseas the Dio is really a whole family of scooters that includes many 2-stroke and 4-stroke engines.
With the motor update for 1994, Honda also revived the 25mph moped legal version, not seen since the ’87 SE50P. This moped legal version was dubbed the ‘Elite S’ and the model code was SA50P. The SA50P is restricted via a washer behind the variator, a smaller main jet and a highly restrictive exhaust. If you are going to de-restrict yours you should also know that the restricted version has a different throttle cable that does NOT open the oil pump like the full speed version has. Accordingly, the oil pump just runs at the idle level at all times. If you derestrict yours, you can either run premix, replace the throttle cable with the regular version which ‘Y’s to open the oil pump or you can zip tie the oil pump to the wide open position.
For 1999 Honda made a change to the rear axle shaft that is important to know if you are replacing your rear axle or piecing together an SA50. The '94 - '98 axles were 15mm in diameter where they fit into the transmission, whereas 1999 and later models were 16 or 16.5mm. Accordingly, the axles are non-compatable between earlier and later years unless you also acquire the corresponding case cover (thx Wheelman111).
After 2001 the SA50 Elite was dropped, making it the 2001 Elite SR the last street legal 2-stroke vehicle from Honda sold in the USA. These scooters have proven to be very reliable. You can find one relatively easily for $600 - $1200 depending on milage, year and condition. These scooters are a great buy because you can buy one for relatively cheap and it should have a ton of life left in it.
Pros:
* Loads of aftermarket parts (especially for ’94+)
* Fast
* Reliable
Cons:
* No glovebox
* Mediocre milage
Links:
MotorscooterGuide Forums - Visit the forum on this site to chat about your scoot.
1988 - 1993 Elite SA50 Service Manual - Great if you do any work on your scoot (11 MB)
1994 - 2001 Elite SA50 Service Manual - These manuals are a gold mine (11 MB)
1997 Elite 50 Owners Manual - Nice to have but it’s all in the service manual (7 MB)
BikeBandit.com - Good for looking up OEM parts and finding out what’s still available
HondaSpree.Net - Great Forum for the Elite 50 and Spree
If you have any info to add, email me at dandurston@hotmail.com
Colors:
1988: Shasta White, Fighting Red
1989: Coral Blue, Fighting Red
1990: Coral Blue, Fighting Red
1991:
1992: Black
1993: Black
1994: Gloss Black, Monza Red
1995: Gloss Black, Monza Red
1996: Pearl Majestic Purple, Pearl Hot Rod Yellow
1997: Pearl Majestic Purple, Pearl Rio Yellow
1998: Pearl Majestic Purple, Pearl Rio Yellow
1999: Pearl Majestic Purple, Pearl Rio Yellow
Key Specs (1988 SA50):
* Engine: Air-cooled, 2-stroke single
* Power: 3.8hp @ 6000 RPM
* Ignition: Capacitor discharge
* Starter: Electric and Kick
* Transmission: Honda V-matic variable ratio with automatic clutch
* Length: 67.3” / 1710mm
* Width: 25.6” / 650mm
* Height: 40.7” / 1035mm
* Wheelbase: 47.2” / 1200mm
* Seat Height: 29.5” / 750mm
* Fuel Capacity: 5L / 1.3 gal.
* Wheels: Steel
* Tires: 3.00 x 10” (Front & Rear)
* Front Suspension: Bottom link, trailing fork
* Rear Suspension: Swing unit, single shock
* Brakes: Drum / Drum
* Dry Weight: 145lbs / 65.5kg