BWs / Zuma

YAMAHA ZUMA / BWs (CW50, YW50)

First introduced in 1989, the first generation Zuma / BW’s (CW50) (at left in black) was a preview of what would later become the best selling scooter in North America. Yamaha sold this first generation of the Zuma / BW’s here for just two years (1989, 1990) and then pulled it from the North American market. For six years we were left without a Zuma / BW’s until Yamaha returned with the exact same scooter for ‘97. It wasn’t until 2002 that Yamaha introduced the current generation of the Zuma / BWS, which is completely different both mechanically and stylistically. This new generation of Zuma / BW’s has been extremely popular. Sales figures are tough to come by, but Yamaha has claimed on occasion that this is the best selling scooter in both Canada and the USA.

The Zuma took a hiatus from the North American market for 2006 and 2007 as a result of new emissions controls but it was pretty obvious that Yamaha clogged their showrooms with 2005 models in advance of the legislation because there was hardly a time when you couldn’t find one in your local Yamaha showroom. For 2008 Yamaha returned with the same YW50 but with a few extra emissions controls that unfortunately hindered performance a lot and thus are often removed by enthusiasts. It would have been nice if Yamaha had made the emissions controls less restrictive so that owners would keep them in place. For 2009 Yamaha added a bigger brother to the Zuma / BW’s family, the all new YW125. Read this page for info on that sharp scooter.

The BWS/Zuma 50cc has several great attributes including its unique and rugged styling, its massive aftermarket and its powerful engine. It’s a great scooter for anyone who wants a sporty scooter to modify to go ridiculous speeds. Check out sites like VTCycles.com and ProvoScooter.com for go fast goodies.

On the downside, Yamaha equipped this scooter with a useless storage crack instead of a glovebox. This spot is handy for holding a chocolate bar or a lolli-pop but not much else. The other downsides to this scooter are the inherent ones that come with having a 2-stroke engine. A lot of scooters are 2-strokes so it’s not really fair to bring this up, but the YW50 is being sold in a day when most scooters are shifting to 4-stroke engines (This is the last remaining 2-stroke 50cc from a Japanese manufacturer). Being a 2-stroke, you get great power but you also get reduced fuel economy, the smell and noise of a 2-stroke engine, increased pollution,

you have to buy oil and the engine life is shorter. If you want a 2-stroke scooter you’ve probably already got your mind made up and I can certainly understand why. For the new scooterist, a 4-stroke is probably the way to go though unless you’re looking for something with maximum kick.

As with all Yamaha scooters, don’t get misled by Yamaha’s crazy milage specs. Yamaha bases their milage specs on the ridiculous assumption that you’ll hold a steady 25mph cruising speed. Who does that? Yamaha specs the YW50 at 52km/litre (120mpg) but something around 80mpg is much more realistic. In fairness, a lot of scooter manufacturers use these tricks. One company called Catan is selling their cheapo ‘Kinetic Nova’ scooter in North America under the claims that this 115cc 2-stroke engine gets 175mpg. I’ll eat my shorts if you achieve 175mpg with that scooter while keeping ahead of the joggers on the sidewalk.

Pros:
* Fast
* Huge aftermarket means cheap speed
* Distinctive and rugged styling

Cons:
* Emissions controls are heavily restrictive
* 2-stroke downsides
* Heavy for 50cc at 207lbs

Links:
MotorscooterGuide Forums - Visit the forum on this site to chat about this scoot.
'97-'01 CW50 Service Manual - Very helpful for anyone who works on their own scooter.
'02 - 2010 YW50 Service Manual - Very helpful for anyone who works on their own scooter.
ZumaForums - Lots of Zuma talk here.
BikeBandit.com - Good for looking up OEM parts and finding out what’s available

Key Specs:
* Engine: 2-stroke, air-cooled with fan assist, reed-valve, single
* Displacement: 49 cc
* Bore and Stroke: 40 x 39.2 mm
* Compression Ratio: 7.0 : 1
* Maximum Torque: 0.7kg-m(5.1 ft-lb) @ 6,000rpm
* Fuel Delivery: Teikei Y14P Carb
* Estimated Fuel Consumption: 52kpl / 148mpg (Imp.) (
* Ignition: CDI
* Suspension (Front): Telescopic fork
* Suspension (Rear): Single shock unit swingarm
* Brakes (Front): 180 mm disc
* Brakes (Rear): Drum
* Tires (Front): 120/90-10
* Tires (Rear): 130/90-10
* Length: 1,890 mm (74.4 '')
* Width: 705 mm (27.8 '')
* Height: 1,110 mm (43.7 '')
* Wheelbase: 1,275 mm (50.2 '')
* Seat Height: 765 mm (30.1 '')
* Fuel Capacity: 5.7 litres (1.2 Imp. gal.)
* Wet Weight: 94kg (206.8lb)

Colors:
1989: Silky White, Faraway Blue, Composed Red
1990: Mature Red, Solid Endura Blue, Black
1997: Yamaha Black, Dull Cyan Metallic
1998: Yamaha Black, Purplish Blue Candy
1999: Yamaha Black, Vivid Red Candy
2000: Yamaha Black, Vivid Red Candy. Deep Purplish Blue
2001: Vivid Red Candy. Deep Purplish Blue
2002: Deep Purplish Blue, Black
2003: Deep Purplish Blue, Fairy Silver
2004: Deep Purplish Blue, Silver 3
2005: Deep Purplish Blue, Black
2008: Deep Purplish Blue, Black
2009: Team Yamaha Blue/White, Raven
2010: Raven, Vivid Yellow