They say you never forget your first love, and in my case, that sentiment couldn’t ring truer. My first motorcycle, the Kawasaki AR50, wasn’t just a machine; it was a gateway to a world of freedom, adventure, and exhilaration. In this blog post, I’m going to take you on a journey down memory lane as I recount my experiences with the Kawasaki AR50 – a petite learner legal motorbike that left an indelible mark on my heart.
The Kawasaki AR50: A Brief Introduction
The Kawasaki AR50, was a small-displacement two-stroke motorcycle that hit the streets in the early 1980s. Sporting a 49cc engine, it wasn’t a powerhouse by any means, but what it lacked in size, it more than made up for in character. The air-cooled two-stroke engined moped produced by Kawasaki in “A” and “C” designations from 1981 until 1994 for the United Kingdom, and until 1996 or 1997 for other markets. It had five-speed transmission (some overseas models had six-speeds I beleive) and a weight of 78 kg (172 lb).
The “C” designation models were introduced in 1983 and were mechanically similar to the previous models but now had a sports handlebar fairing and a rear grab-handle in place of the previous sport tail. The “C” version remained in production with only minor cosmetic changes for the remainder of the production run. All models were equipped with Kawasaki’s Uni-Trak rear suspension.
My AR50 was also a “C” model and was pretty much as shown on the Haynes Manual, with the white paint and gold wheels. (See the photo below)
My First Encounter
I remember the day I first laid eyes on my AR50 like it was yesterday. It was a sunny afternoon, and I went to see the bike with my dad and uncle. The sleek, white/red/back bodywork and the styling of this used, but immaculate AR50 immediately caught my attention. I was only fifteen at the time, and while I couldn’t legally ride it on the streets yet, I knew I had to have it. So, I paid the asking price with money I’d saved from my Saturday job and loaded the bike onto a home-made trailer and off we went. The whole journey home, I kept looking through the back window of the car, making sure my new purchase was still there. We got home in one piece, and I was now the proud owner of a 1986 Kawasaki AR50.
Sweet 16
The moment of truth finally arrived, I turned sixteen and got my motorcycle learner’s licence. I fired her up and the bikes distinctive two-stroke engine roared to life, I felt a surge of adrenaline as I eased the throttle and let out the clutch. The open road beckoned, and I answered its call, I was officially a motorcyclist and I’ll never forget that first ride on my lovely AR50.
Now of course it wasn’t a fast bike, but it felt like a rocket to my teenage self and importantly it gave me a newfound sense of freedom. I rode through scenic countryside roads and city streets and whilst the less than impressive top speed of 42MPH may not of set pulses racing, every ride was still an escape from the ordinary. At the time I had the bike, the likes of Kevin Schwantz, Mick Doohan and Wayne Gardner were strutting their stuff on the MotoGP scene and I felt every bit the GP rider (albeit, the only time I got my knee down on the AR50 was when I fell off).
Camaraderie
The one thing that I was prepared for was the way that owning a motorcycle made you part of a very special group, suddenly I was being nodded to by other motorcyclists as I rode down the street. It also opened up the possibilities to socialise outside of my own immediate area, where I quickly developed a much wider group of friends, many of whom owned motorcycles too.
Conclusion
My time with the Kawasaki AR50 was an unforgettable chapter in my life. It wasn’t just a motorcycle; it was a companion that introduced me to the thrill of riding, taught me valuable lessons about maintenance and responsibility, and allowed me to explore the world in a way I had never imagined. While I’ve moved on to larger bikes since then, my first love will always hold a special place in my heart. The Kawasaki AR50 will forever be a symbol of youthful freedom, adventure, and my gateway to the world of motorcycling.
KILN MOTO 
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