2 Stroke Question?

[Skippernick]

I'm looking at a 125 commuter for work now winter is approaching, and have dismissed 2 stroke bikes due to the fact that they need a rebuild every 5000 miles or so.
Is this correct?
After a off road style rather than Aprilla 125, as they are bigger.

Cheers
Nick

[Fazerider]

I'd dismiss them on the grounds that they sound horrible and smell worse, but they should be more reliable than that.

[NorthWestern]

They are reliable and cheap. The 125 four strokes are a lot slower too...

[midden]

I think the rebuild comes with boy racers not mature commuters  and there's nothing nicer than the eau de 2stroke

[mickvp]

I had a Yamaha RXS 100 a few years back which was 2 stroke. it had the seperate bottle for 2 stroke oil so you didnt need to pre-mix it as well, and was quicker than a few other 125's Ive owned.

I did 10k on it without a rebuild with no issues at all - until some fuckwit pulled out a side road and knocked me off it.

[red98]

They last longer than that, need to be looked after and dont let thd two stroke tank run dry.......they are not as good on fuel as a four stroke and you have to buy two strokd oil on top of fuel.........the smell of castrol 'R' two stroke oil more than makes up for it   

[slimwilly]

If i needed a commuter bike then i think i would consider one of those Burgman scooters,400 or 500 cc, fast and weather proofing as standard

[stevierst]

+1 on the burgman. Nippy, comfy, and loadsa storage space.

[red98]

pics of the x7 with micron spannies are required red!

did put one up a couple of weeks ago,i think in "christos anything else thread".....i need to get the carbs sorted and video the first start up in many moons 

[Hedgetrimmer]

I can see you getting the carbs sorted. But video......?! Never happen! 

[stevierst]

+1 on the burgman. Nippy, comfy, and loadsa storage space.

I was on my way home from work on the old Boxeye last year when I filtered to the front of a queue of traffic. Sat there on the stop line was an old boy on a 650 Burg wearing an open face lid, jeans and hush puppies. I gave him a nod, but he ignored me. Lights went green, and he nailed it off the line, totally catching me by suprise and leaving me for dust!!!

I was too busy pissing myself laughing to try and catch him 

Nippy little buggers, albeit for men wanting to feel the wind in their vagina hair! 

[chris.biker]

I'd dismiss them on the grounds that they sound horrible and smell worse, but they should be more reliable than that.

The memorable smell of my younger days out and about with the crowd.
 

[Skippernick]

+1 on the burgman. Nippy, comfy, and loadsa storage space.

Ah yes you are assuming i have loads of money to spend, which unfortunately i don't, so they are out.
But thanks for the comments guys, opens more options.


Nick

[sadlonelygit]

i've got a 180 gilera that gets used far more than the Fazer. does @60mpg, cruises at 80mph 2 up. i have just spent last week pulling the crankcases apart to fit a new waterpump/mains but apart from that it's just fuel, oil once a month and go!

[Tmation]

MZ 250, some big bar muffs plus a top box with some spares in. Can't be beat for cheap commuting 

[red98]

  ....your probs right there mr crisp......I have a cunning plan though.. ....i noticed I can video with my phone so will try that way   

[griff86]

My friend has an immaculate KMX 125 with 6000 miles from new, great bikes, he'll never sell it. Top money for non abused ones on ebay though.

[Millietant]

The days of 2 strokes that need top end rebuilds every 5000 miles are even more than decades old. I got a Yamaha FS1E in 1976 and put 17k mikes on it without a "rebuild". I did pop the head and barrel off just before I sold it and replaced the piston rings - quick and simple job - but that was just because I was selling it, not because it really needed it.


I did 26k miles on my Kawasaki KH 250 between 1977 and 1979, without ever having removed the barrels.


My sons 50cc bike has do e about 6000 miles and seems barely run in and runs beautifully - even though it has been de restricted and buzzes along happily at between 10k and 12k RPM's, with total reliability.


Don't listen to old wives tales - buy a good-un and a 2 stroke will give you years of trouble free commuting.


Buy a dog and at least a rebuild is quick, easy and cheap, compared to a dog 4 stroke.

[Andy Clap]

I had a Yamaha RXS 100 a few years back which was 2 stroke. it had the seperate bottle for 2 stroke oil so you didnt need to pre-mix it as well, and was quicker than a few other 125's Ive owned.

Funny you should mention that now, I used to have an RXS100 in the '90s and am now keeping an eye out for a nice one.  I remember an article in a magazine titled "The 100 that thinks it's a 125"


Just don't let the oil tank run dry and it'll go a lot more than 5k.

[mickvp]

I had a Yamaha RXS 100 a few years back which was 2 stroke. it had the seperate bottle for 2 stroke oil so you didnt need to pre-mix it as well, and was quicker than a few other 125's Ive owned.

Funny you should mention that now, I used to have an RXS100 in the '90s and am now keeping an eye out for a nice one.  I remember an article in a magazine titled "The 100 that thinks it's a 125"


Just don't let the oil tank run dry and it'll go a lot more than 5k.

I bought my thou from preston superbike in May, and they had a nice blue one in stock when i went to collect it (exact same year and colour as mine). If I had been closer to home I would have taken it there and then as a commuter. cracking bikes.