ZiD-50 “Pilot” - the legendary Russian moped

Plant named after V. Degtyarev, better known to us as ZiD, was founded during the First World War. It was then that the first buildings of the Kovrov Machine Gun Plant began to be erected in Kirov. Many years later, in 1946, he began producing motorcycles. Many probably remember the legendary K-125, Kovrovets and, of course, Voskhod. And the very first small-capacity motorcycle from the Kovrov plant came off the line only in the nineties of the last century. It was a ZiD-50 Pilot model.

Design

The moped looks like a small enduro, which it is. Long-travel suspensions, a raised tail, a raised muffler, a minimum of plastic - when you look at the photo, it immediately becomes clear that it was created for rough terrain. Of course, the Mokik ZiD 50 Pilot cannot be called a full-fledged two-wheeled SUV, but it copes well with country roads and dirt roads.

Buy Zid 50 Pilot

buy a new ZID 50 Pilot directly from the Degtyarev plant for 42 thousand rubles. Prices for used mopeds start from 5 thousand rubles, it all depends on the condition of the motorcycle. In a good situation, after spending several months searching for a decent option on sites like auto.ru and other similar ones, such a moped in very good condition (used) can be bought within 10-15 thousand rubles. It all depends on your desire and ability to bargain.

As for purchasing spare parts for the ZID 50, you definitely won’t have any problems with this. You can buy them at almost any motorcycle store.

Technical characteristics of ZiD Pilot 50

ZiD Pilot is inferior to all modern analogues, but when it first went on sale, it was head and shoulders above the usual “Karpaty” and “Riga”. But its technical characteristics were good for its time, which was the reason for the high popularity of the model.

Engine

A conventional 2-stroke air-cooled engine with 2 valves and one spark plug , capable of accelerating a ZiD Pilot moped to 60 kilometers per hour . The manufacturer declared a maximum speed of 50 km/h , but this was done so that, according to the documents, the bike meets the requirements for mopeds. Engine power is 2.7 horsepower , torque is about 2 Nm .

Transmission

The archaic 3-speed gearbox works very smoothly. Unlike Chinese pit bikes, the gears are changed like on a motorcycle - the first one is down, the rest are up. The third can be safely engaged already at 30 km/h.

Chassis and brakes

It's hard to come up with something simpler. ZiD Pilot 50 has a steel frame , mechanical drum brakes on both wheels and a standard suspension, with a telescopic fork at the front and a monoshock absorber at the rear. The suspensions do not have high energy intensity, but since the moped is designed for one person, they are enough.

Electronics

There is practically no
electronic filling in the Pilot . It doesn't even have a battery! So the light optics are powered directly from the generator . There is no electric starter either - please be content with the kickstarter. Everything is simple, even primitive, and therefore very reliable.

Weight and dimensions

The dry weight of the moped is only 87 kg , and the loaded weight is about 100 kg . Any motorcyclist, even an inexperienced one, can handle the ZiD 50 Pilot. And thanks to its modest dimensions, the mokik can easily make its way between cars in traffic jams if its owner gets carried into the city. But it is better to avoid traveling on busy roads, since the bike clearly does not have enough power for them.

Controllability

Thanks to its modest weight and compact dimensions, the ZiD 50 01 moped is not just easy to control, but very easy. You just need to get used to the ease with which it tilts and the steering wheel, which is not very convenient for long-armed drivers.

Fuel consumption

A 2t engine, by definition, is not economical, and the mokik from the factory named after. Degtyareva, without hesitation, consumes up to 2.5 liters of gasoline per 100 km . The ZiD Lifan version with a 4t engine has lower fuel consumption, and the Chinese replaced the archaic K 39 carburetor with their own, more modern one.

Tags: zid 50 pilot, 80cc

Comments 43

please post a link to spare parts. we bought such a pony, there is a need for spare parts) and the set like in your photo is needed) cable, elastic bands, etc.

Cool project, send me the seller's contacts)

Great technique! I also enjoy owning it, and it’s a huge pity for the plant.

Also reset the seller’s contacts!

Greetings! And share the contacts of the spare parts seller, preferably in a private message. Thank you!

Surprisingly, there is also a tired Zidov 2T engine and there is a Honda MTX50R, albeit complete. There were thoughts about whether a Zidov engine could be installed there, well, as a last resort. But one thing is clear, the Zidovsky 50 can barely pull this frame.

What's wrong with the frame? It was by chance that this frame turned up for me) The MTX50 has a good engine and a 6-speed gearbox, but I didn’t find the engine, I saw it on the Internet for 8,000 rubles, that’s buying a pig in a poke. Can you PM me some photos of the Honda?

Everything is the same with her, she’s just heavy. Everything there is almost adult-like. As a result, the overall weight is serious. And 8000 is completely free for AD06E. Or he doesn’t know what he’s supplying or firewood.

That’s what I’m talking about, with the old $ exchange rate, the prices for these mopeds were simply wonderful, and for 18-20k you could get an excellent Japanese device

The most high-tech product that our motorcycle industry has been able to produce throughout its existence. It is a pity that it did not receive further development.

As the Union collapsed, that’s how it all ended

Not certainly in that way). After the collapse of the USSR, new models began to appear. Owl in 1993, Pilot in 96. Numerous replicas of Ural, Izhi with dropsy. There was a feeling that it was flooding! Development has begun and it will always be so. But no! In the second half of the 90s, a flood of Japanese second-hand goods poured in and China, which came to our market, finally finished off all production.

The most high-tech product that our motorcycle industry has been able to produce throughout its existence. It is a pity that it did not receive further development.

Honestly licked from Derby Senda. Only cheapened to the point of disgrace. But people haval, because there was no choice.

Compared to the Deltas, Carpathians, Rigas in 96, the Pilot seemed like just an airplane!))) A real chassis, and the engine, compared to the V50, is just a bomb!))) There were small-scale versions of 80 cc and 5 speed gearboxes, but alas and ah.

Repair and tuning

Even before the plant named after. Degtyarev was bought by the Chinese, this mokik had enough tuning, which enterprising citizens ordered from China. And everything necessary for repairs can be found in Russia, and it is inexpensive.

Repair

The moped has several weak points. Firstly, the front fork often starts to leak . The problem is eliminated by replacing the oil seals and anthers, but when driving over rough terrain, sooner or later it will appear again. Secondly, the original K39 carburetor is not of high quality, and problems often arise with it. Many owners change it to a Chinese equivalent.

Spare parts

Despite the fact that the ZiD 50 moped was discontinued a long time ago, there are practically no problems with finding spare parts. Almost everything you need is easily found in motorcycle shops and markets. The price tag for the parts will make any motorcyclist cry with envy - they are sold almost by weight.

Tuning

Rural bikers have gotten used to adding various optional improvements to the mokik, such as new handlebars or windshields , but the main thing is that it is possible to change the piston, increasing the volume. On Aliexpress, and even in Russia, you can find 70 cc CPGs that fit perfectly on the original engine. As a result, the moped's agility noticeably increases.

Motorcycle modifications

The very first version was called ZiD 50 01, and it is this that is the classic “Pilot”. modification 50 02 was designed , and the “Active” is exactly the same mokick, but slightly modified in appearance. And later the bike was replaced by a ZiD Lifan, equipped with a Chinese 4-stroke engine and a new transmission.

The first swallow

The ZiD-50 “Pilot”, which appeared on domestic roads in 1995, became the first moped of this plant. And four years later, another batch with a raised wing in front was released in Kirov. It was called "Active". And although it was, like the Pilot, two-stroke, there was a significant difference: it differed from its ancestor in the presence of an original plastic body kit in the style of cruisers. In 2004, this version was slightly improved by creating the ZiD-50–01, which was equipped with a four-stroke Chinese Lifan engine with a power of 2.72 horsepower.

It is noteworthy that this model used a semi-automatic clutch, as a result of which its handle disappeared. Like the ZiD-50 “Pilot” moped, it was also intended for tourist and business trips. The vehicle was also suitable for walking on a variety of surfaces.

Advantages and disadvantages

When considering them, we must not forget that we are talking about a simple entry-level bike, produced a decade and a half ago, and designed using the technologies of the last century. For its time, this model was quite good.

Advantages

• Light weight . Everyone can cope with mokik.
• Simple design . Disassemble, repair, and put the ZiD moped back together - no problem, even if this is your first bike.
• Reliable engine . The transmission is also not particularly fragile.
• Nice pendants . They confidently handle roads without asphalt.

Flaws

• No passenger footrests . The bike is designed strictly for one person.
• Weak brakes.
• The volume of the ZiD 50 gas tank is only 6 liters.

Owner reviews

Zid 50 is my first bike!! I remember my impressions - it drives powerfully, in the pits you don’t even have to slow down, it brakes confidently! Sometimes I had problems, the carb died after a couple of weeks, otherwise it was fine. I sold it a long time ago, of course, but the pleasant memories remain. Alexander, Pushkino.

I still keep the Lifanov modification in the village; in the summer I ride to the store and on errands. A simple and reliable car, know to change your oil on time and ride as long as you like. Only the candles die often. Dmitry, Tula.

A good moped for its era, but now it cannot stand up to competition; any cheap Chinese scooter will not yield to it. In the current realities, I do not recommend it. Boris, Komsomolsk-on-Amur.

Conclusion

The ZiD 50 Pilot motorcycle is perfect as a first bike on which you can learn the basics of riding. The simple design will help you learn to understand the design of motorcycle equipment, and the solid ground clearance will make it possible to drive where the owners of many large bikes do not dare to venture.

Specifications

Flaws

Like any other vehicle, the ZiD-50 “Pilot” is also characterized by both its advantages and disadvantages. Its very first disadvantage is the weak shock absorption and not very strong frame, which are especially noticeable off-road and when jumping on potholes.

In addition, the headlight of the ZiD-50 “Pilot” is intended only for detection on the road. And also, according to some, the shape of the seat is not entirely comfortable: after a long ride the body becomes very numb.