DERBI SENDA 50 SM (1993 - 2004) Review

The Derbi Senda 50 has been around since 1993 and many 16-year-olds on a CBT certificate - especially taller riders - really like its supermoto motorcycle looks, decent handling chassis and revvy two-stroke motor.

The 2000 onwards Derbi Senda 50 features an all new alloy beam frame, and in 2005 a range of extra versions, including Derbi Senda Xtreme, Derbi Senda Supermoto, Derbi Senda DRD Pro and Derbi Senda Racing in 50cc sizes were added to the range. The Derbi Senda 125 and Supermoto four stroke were also made for a time but have since disappeared.

Derbi was founded in Spain in 1922 and was bought by automotive giant Piaggio in 2001. The firm is still plugging away at the two-stroke 50cc market (despite most others dropping the format) and there are currently four versions of the Senda in the range: the X-Treme, Racing and Limited Supermotos and the X-Treme 50R Enduro.

The Derbi Senda is still a current model with three supermoto variants and the 50R enduro keeping the 50cc two-stroke market alive.

There's a thriving online community for the Senda at the Derbi Senda Owners' Club on Facebook.

All versions of the original Senda shared the same basic alloy beam frame and lengthy swingarm, although brakes, suspension and wheels differ on each model and the handling is excellent for a 50cc machine.

The advantage of using a tiny two-stroke engine is lightness and the whole bike weighs in at just 90kg. Even the lightest 125 four-strokes on the market are well over 100kg so the Senda truly is a featherweight by comparison.

This light weight also helps the motor's 9bhp feel slightly more lively than you might expect.

The Derbi Senda 50 has a lively enough motor, at least in de-restricted mode, which is how most 16 year olds would want to ride this motorcycle. The modern Derbi Senda 50s can hit nearly 60mph on a good day, which is fast enough to put a smile on your face.

The older Derbi Senda 50 could hit 50mph flat out and was more than competent on the dirt too. Sadly the UK laws require a 30mph top speed, which makes the restricted 6 speed Derbi Senda 50 hard work to ride. Tough, reliable water-cooled engine though.

The post-Piaggio takeover Derbi Senda 50 models are in a different league to earlier motorcycles, with much improved build quality. There are top class suspension and braking components on the Derbi Senda 50 range and some details like the chrome exhaust on the DRD Racing SM are way above the average standard for the 50cc motorcycle class.

Our Derbi Senda 50 owners' reviews show fairly average scores. A few owners haven't had a brilliant experience with build quality. One person complains of serious engine problems, whereas another blames their bike for the tax disc falling out and them subsequently getting pulled over by the police. We'd consider fitting a better tax disc in this scenario, however.

There's just one problem when you turn 16 years of age and want one of these funky mopeds - the cost. At around £2500 the Derbi Senda 50 range are way beyond the financial reach of most sixteen year olds. The Derbi Senda 125 bikes are only slightly more dosh, but £2800-ish is still a fair sum for a new 125 trailie. No matter how good the quality of the Senda's ride is, you just know that a cheap internet trailbike for half the money is gonna tempt some.

Some models of the Derbi Senda 50 motorcycle, like the Derbi Senda Xtreme Supermotard, with its moody black paint, twin headlight nose fairing and stylish dashboard, really look stunningly featured motorcycles - any teenager would be proud to own one. Others, like the Derbi Senda 125 R are more basic, rugged all-rounder motorcycles, but still have details like a luggage rack, twin headlights and twin mirrors. Overall, equipment is good on all the Derbi Senda range.