MBK NITRO

History of the MBK Nitro

22 years! And yes, time goes by! 22 years is the age of our scooter of the quarter, the MBK Nitro, we would not say, and yet ... Less famous than his big brother the MBK Booster, he has nevertheless had a good career since he appeared in 1997 and was produced (with some small improvements in passing) during 15 years until 2012. Moreover having seen a big overhaul of its visual in 2013 it is still produced and diffused to date under the brand Yamaha. As you already know, from the beginning of his career the Mbk Nitro is broadcast in Mbk networks but also Yamaha under the name of Aerox, the scooters are almost identical. These two models were designed at the same time as the Ovetto, not par Yamaha Japan but par the European division based in Amsterdam (the Netherlands). The development of this new model will then be conducted par ELM europe and the French, Italian and Spanish teams of the group. The manufacture as for it will be carried out in the hexagon, in the plant of St Quentin.

A very sporty scooter

Le Nitro will have to face the two direct competitors of the time in the category of sporty scooters that are the Piaggio NRG and the (very famous in France) Peugeot Speedfight. As its appearance suggests, this scooter is intended to perform well for a 50cc. Its lines are designed to display speed and dynamism, we can see the radiator grilles placed at the front and also the design of the sills very pronounced at the level of the legs and which stands out other scooters. To confirm appearances, we find on the engine side a horizontal Minarelli block specific to the Nitro equipped with a liquid-cooled cylinder in all versions (unlike Speedfight available in air or liquid cooling). The "premium" equipment register also includes front and rear braking with diameter 190 brake discs managed byar Brembo calipers and master cylinders, brand synonymous with competition and reliability.

Years of production: from 1997 to 2002
Engine: single cylinder 2T 49,9cc - Minarelli horizontal
Fork: Hydraulic Paoli 30mm
Starting: kick + electric
Carburetor: Dell'orto PHBN 12

A career in F1

Yes the Nitro had its hour of glory in Formula 1, not necessarily on the circuit but in any case in the paddocks! Thus several drivers have been able to use it to travel on race weekends like Rubens Barrichello but also Mika Häkkinen, especially during the 1998 season in the McLaren Mercedes team. More than anything, we understand here the action of Yamaha Europe that wants to clearly show what the Nitro, a quality product made for competitors. There are several limited series related to Formula 1 such as the famous pink and black model F1 assistance (colors that we could also see on the Mbk Magnum Racing XR) but also the Nitro F1 Jaguar. His twin brother, the Yamaha Aerox will do the same side motorcycle offering versions Checa, Rossi and Biaggi in particular.

As we mentioned the model was completely reworked in 2013 and was even available in a version Naked (without handlebar fairing). Pollution standards and the evolution of the MBK network making, in 2019 it is only under the name Yamaha Aerox and in version 4 engine time (appeared in 2014) that is proposed this scooter. The purists of 2 time will appreciate little and we can understand, that said we are still looking forward to still having a small scooter 50cc sports in the range of a major manufacturer such as Yamaha. Too bad it is not the same in the category 50 box still shunned Japanese manufacturers today ...