This was the first Yamaha V50 and was one of the first models to be sold along with the V70 and the V90. The original V50 had a 2-stroke engine with a 3 speed semi-automatic gearbox and could reach speeds of about . The problem with this model was that in the UK in the early 1970s to ride a "50 cc" moped on a learner licence the bike needed to have pedals. So Yamaha decided to change the V50 model to the V50p, so it could be ridden on L-plates. (in the UK)