The Tomos BT50 was the fast road moped of the late Yugoslav era: a five-speed machine that reached 80 km/h straight from the factory and therefore had to be registered. Built from 1986 to 1993, it had already appeared in the 1985 film Poletje v školjki as a prototype.
Tomos BT50 at a glance
| Maker | Tomos, Koper |
|---|---|
| Models | BT50, BT50S |
| Production | 1986–1993 |
| Power | 4 kW (5.5 hp) at 8,000 rpm |
| Gearbox | five foot-operated gears |
| Top speed | 80 km/h |
| Fuel consumption | about 2.8 l/100 km |
| Weight | 70 kg |
| Payload | 150 kg |
| Wheels and brakes | cast 17-inch wheels, front disc brake |
| Equipment | speedometer, tachometer, indicators, stop light, storage in the seat |
| Related | AT50 (Netherlands), ATX 50 |
History of the Tomos BT50
From the Dutch AT50
The BT50 grew out of a moped developed for the Dutch market, the AT50. It looked identical but had a restricted engine to suit Dutch rules. Tomos was third in market share there, and the models were eventually brought home to Yugoslavia. The ATX was built on the same frame with a different layout and appearance.
BT50 and BT50S
The first BT50s, without the S, were made from 1986 to the beginning of 1988; from 1988 the model was sold as the BT50S. The S brought different front forks, a brake disc, a luggage rack, indicators and more colour combinations besides grey, namely red and blue. In 1992 Tomos moved from ID plates with serial numbers to ID stickers without them, and the BT50S followed.
Its engine produced 4 kW (5.5 hp) at 8,000 rpm and drove through five foot-operated gears. Tomos quoted about 2.8 l of fuel per 100 km, a payload of 150 kg and a weight of 70 kg. The BT50 had cast 17-inch wheels, a front disc brake, a speedometer, a tachometer, indicators and a stop light, plus a storage compartment inside the seat opened by a hidden lever. The engine made its maximum torque only at 7,900 rpm and was demanding on hills: at low speed and high revs it could overheat.
In the film
A BT50 prototype had a visible role in the 1985 film Poletje v školjki as the transport of the richer young characters. Two BT50s were used; apart from the final escape they were always parked as objects of admiration, with the BT50 badge clearly visible. The stunt bike in the film was the future ATX, which had no name yet.
Design and features
- 80 km/h from the factory: fast enough that the BT50 already had to be registered.
- Five foot gears: the gearbox and cast 17-inch wheels marked the BT50 as a new generation of Tomos road models.
- Full instrumentation: speedometer, tachometer, indicators and a stop light were part of the standard equipment.
- Seat storage: a compartment inside the seat, opened by a hidden lever, offered unusually generous space for a moped.
- Film fame: the prototype appeared in Poletje v školjki before the model reached the shops.
Tomos BT50 versions
- BT50 (1986–early 1988): the first version, without the S.
- BT50S (1988–1993): different front forks, brake disc, luggage rack, indicators and red or blue paint alongside grey.
- 1992 BT50S: ID stickers instead of plates with serial numbers.
- AT50: the restricted Dutch-market sibling with identical bodywork.
- ATX 50: a different model on the same frame.
The BT50 was the faster road model above the APN, and its off-road relatives are described in the Cross 50 article. More Tomos mopeds are in the Tomos collection.
Video: Tomos bt 50 burnout
Video on YouTube.
Sources
- Tomos BT50, Slovenian Wikipedia: production years, versions, engine, equipment, film role
- Tomos, English Wikipedia: 1985 launch of the BT 50, cast wheels and turn signals
- Tomos CTX 80, Slovenian Wikipedia: AT50 for the Dutch market, ATX on the same frame
