Living with a 2-stroke

[banshee]

The confines of being restricted to a 250, and shopping for a bike have left my mind saying "be sensible and buy a CBR". But every time I look at an rs250, i get soo tempted.

My question is basically how reliable, and hard to live with is a 2-stroke on a daily basis?

I'm not asking about its ride quality which i realise is very race-like and would probably be uncomfertable for long rides.

Thanks in advance

Cheers
Mardy

[Synthian]

They wear out faster, hence need more 'change rings' maintenance and such. But apart from that they are very good and peaky.

Sometimes the exhaust note can piss you off a bit if your pipe is too loud, all you want is just a quite hole to crawl into when you have a headache on one

But to me, .. the benefits outweigh the disavantages

-Ch

[SpeedyDerek]

you wont regret it, 4stroke 250's are painfully slow, but its only a year.
Me? i ride an '89 KR-1S, yes i know there were no -S's in 89 but this is a 1 frame with all the 1S bits (lighter frame, shorter wheelbase, more insane!

Cost me $2k and another $1k for new tyres and brakes to get it roadworthy. Rebuilds will take time and effort, so if you're lazy/incompetent and let mechanics do it, it could be expensive. I'm lazy so i'll probably sell up and get a 4stroke 750. (anyone want to trade me for an oldish gixxer or fazer 750?

edit:

Bad: long trips, stop-start riding, and cruising long distances at 60kph (only a few thousand RPM's in 3rd and it sounds like its going to die, but in 2nd the noise and vibrations kick in). (not the best or most comfortable daily commuter, you want this, get a virago!)

Good: Perfect track-day machine, not so much in the wet though, narrow power bands can be fun but dangerous in inexperienced hands in the wet. Brakes! 6 pot dual calipers on the front of my bike, i assume its the same on the RGV and NSR, etc. amazing stopping power! The Smell of a 2stroke on good 2strke oil cant be rivalled by anything including burning rubber.

There really is nothing like the feeling of the revs slowly(relatively speaking) increasing to 8000RPM, then it ts the powerband and WHAM! you're hanging on for dear life til it redlines around 11000 RPM. CBR250's get up to 21000RPM or thereabouts, but you have to remember 2strokes have twice as many power strokes per revolution than 4's.

Important: Make sure you check your 2stroke oil before EVERY ride. Running out of this causes engine seizure and you go arse over tits and nearly hit into a sign (previous owner of my bike, the reason for the fact its got a new engine!)

[Sir Revalot]

Yeah I'd have to agree with SpeedyDerek..

I owned an RGV250 for about 6 months and never had any issues with it. It was my only form of transport in this period so I'd ride it every day (rain/hail or shine) and it would also be used as a weekend hills blasting machine. It was great fun, just be sure to check oil regularly (as SpeedyDerek mentioned) and keep an eye on everything else. Much faster than a 250 4 stroke and a lot more fun IMHO..

[SpeedyDerek]

i'll also recommend (if you like insane bikes) the RZ250 with the 350 upgrade, no-one will know, so you can ride on your L's. Never have i seen a bike that has two distinct power ranges, its like its got a turbo that kicks in above 7000. Dont pay more than $1500 for one though, definately the budget model of the 2 strokes.

[Sir Revalot]

Hehehe the good 'ole RZ..

I test rode one of them when I was on my L's, but opted for the RGV, cause for a bit more cash you can have the whole package (handling/braking/engine performance) rather than just outright power..

[chino]

Originally posted by banshee
The confines of being restricted to a 250, and shopping for a bike have left my mind saying "be sensible and buy a CBR". But every time I look at an rs250, i get soo tempted.

My question is basically how reliable, and hard to live with is a 2-stroke on a daily basis?

I'm not asking about its ride quality which i realise is very race-like and would probably be uncomfertable for long rides.

Ah ha! Finally...

Just go out and do it. I was offered a slightly damaged RGV250 for a very good price this week... tempting, but I want something bigger.

Afterall, if you get a CBR you will wish you had something a little quicker and a little different to every other CBR you see...

[banshee]

Cheers for the replies fellas.

Anything else I should know regarding the 2-strokers?

(hehehe, yea Grinno, thought you would get a kick out of the fact I'm this tempted)

[marcinek]

i owned a rs250 as my first bike and it was great. for strokes last longer but cost a whole lot more to rebuild. rings and powervalves don't cost all that much compared to the four bangers. plus on a cbr you can't go fast but on a rs250 you can keep up with larger bikes if your good enough.

[Skizz]

I owned a RGV250 as a first bike. never really had any problems with it. If your not looking for a daily rider, and just something to blast around on the weekends; Its perfect!!! LOTS OF FUN!!! you wont regret buying a two stroke 250... only about $800 dollars to get someone to rebuild the RGV. They recommend you rebuild them every 30-40 thousands k's.

skizz

[rjh666]

I've got an RS250. Shitty as a daily rider (IMHO):

- doughy @ low revs,
- kick start can sometimes be a hassle - esp. if wearing work clothes or similar,
- warm up time is also a pain
- riding position sucks for long long rides (but you know this)
- not much fun in stop / start traffic
- need to be aware of or carry 2 stroke oil with you

BUT as a weekend thrasher / occasional ride it is awesome, it has it ALL over a 4 stroke as everyone else has said. On the track they are awesome fun, it's fantastic outbraking 10 bikes at a time into turn 2 @ Eastern Creek..

I've had 2 and both have been reliable except for one broken throttle cable.. They need more maintenance but as long as you know to expect it when you buy it, it won't give you too much trouble.

If you can tolerate the downside over a CBR for everyday riding the upside on your "fun days" are more than worth it. But if you'll get pissed off with the points at the top and have no access to a car you might be better off with a CBR.

[chino]

rjh666: I don't think that you have got the bike cranked over hard enough in that picture. Please try harder next time...

[Sir Revalot]

Yeah I wanna see fairings scraping the ground..

[SpeedyDerek]

Kickstart problems? I can start the KR with my hand most times. I thought it would be an issue for me as i have a bad hip and had huge probs starting dirt bikes i've ridden previously (larger capacity 4 strokes), and 2 strokes are considerably easier to kickstart. Whilst a friends RZ cant be 'hand started' its still fairly easy to kick.

What are you doing riding in work clothes anyway? especially on a two-stonker

If i had my way, i'd get myself an RS for track and a gixxer or zxr 1000 (add in CBR1000 and R1 to the mix) for a daily rider/touring, on second thought, perhaps not the zx-10R). Still tossing up what my next bike will be. I'll definately keep the KR for track days though.

[whywhywhy]

So you QLDers don't have the power:weight ratio limit for L/P plate riders ? The ratio stops you from owning a 250 two stroke... but I don't know the QLD rules.
If there is no such law, please disregard this post

[rjh666]

Originally posted by Grinno
rjh666: I don't think that you have got the bike cranked over hard enough in that picture. Please try harder next time...

hahaha.. Gotta make the speed up in the corners with only 60hp to get you down the straights :-), although it still gets 208km/h with me on it down the straight @ EC but I think the 1000's get 260+ (anyone know for sure??)

Originally posted by SpeedyDerek
Kickstart problems? What are you doing riding in work clothes anyway? especially on a two-stonker

Yeh, it's not really a PROBLEM to kick start it, in fact you can handstart it if you really feel like it but it's not exactly the most fun thing to do wearing a suit or nice pants, has potential to ruin said pants or to get a grazed leg.. Not a concern in 90% of circumstances but he wants it as a daily rider in which case it's worth noting. I very rarely ride it to work, only when the car's getting serviced or similar, can't be arsed changing clothes etc once i get there.

I agree re the RS as a trackbike and a big bore for the road..

Now all I need is that 316cc Bigbore kit, Arrows kevlar/carbon exhaust, Carbon fibre wheels & fairings, Slicks + tyre warmers, Ohlins rear shock + steering damper, Revalved forks *DROOL* now THAT would be fun..

[bv]

had a 90 Kr1-S for a year, sad, sad day when I sold it when moving O/S. awesome fun, but as above crap for long rides and dawdling along. noisy as hell with stock pipes though.

rebuilt the thing myself for less than 350 bucks, fantastic bike, I'm looking at getting a 2fiddy 2stroke as a commuter or something over here.

[cheddo7]

Great bike for the track, I raced one during 1999 and 2000 and one thing I did notice is it is a big 250, not like those CBR 250's that look like big mopeds.
I rode it on the road once or twice while I was running mine in from new and must admit it was pretty comfortable (but I'm pretty small build) - just yeah starting and warming up is a bitch.
Great bike overall, just look for holes drilled in oil caps and radiator caps (signs of ex racebike).
Cheddo.

[AnimaLector]

I've also got a KR1-S 250.. nice bike.. pretty much immaculate I use it to get to work everyday hahaha everyone is saying "not a good bike for cruising around" well I kinda agree but they're not THAT bad.. only thing I don't like about it is starting off.. not as quick off the mark as my old YZF750 hahaha but maybe I just don't give it enough revs off the mark.

I'm getting a car and it'll prolly be for sale in Brisbane within the next few weeks.. round the $3700 mark.. PM me if you're interested.

Andy

[Slain]

Im selling my kr1s next week to get a 04 r6.
easy to live with, one of the best commuters if your dedicated, light weight, bullshit power and pysically thin bike. perfect for lane splitting as well as top brakes!
strong buggers too, i got run over on mine 4 weeks ago and insurance dicked me but its still perfect, damper took a hit but thats it. mines fairly modded and willbeat r6s etc in twistys and do alright on straights. can wheelie but its not worth it as you can get it up but not hold it.

[SocialSecurity]

ill put my 2 cents in and say something good about the 4 strokes...

they are fantastic for everyday riding (i can only really speak for the cbr but the zx2r or fzr250 are much the same) ... honda are really good at making big broad usable power ranges, usable/fun power & torque starts at around 7k and pulls hard all the way to the 18500 rev limiter, and they dont cost much to run... and sure they are harder to rebuild, but trust me... you dont rebuild cbr250's, you just get a 2nd hand engine for $800 change over with a 30 day warranty

the brakes are not as good, but are more than adequate with some good pads and braided lines... handling can be improved apon on a huge scale by putting heavier oil in the forks, some 20c coins for extra preload and drop the front about 10mm and it turns in with zero effort

45hp is ample enough for somebody to learn how to really ride.. with a very friendly power delivery that wont ever spit its rider off... gives you a very good chance to actually learn how to ride really well, things like throttle control and corner speed rather than just standing it up out of a corner and relying on HP... as long as your in control of your ego then it will always have enough power


if you have your heart set on a stroker then go for a cheaper one like a RGV or TZR, rather than spending 7k+ on a RS250 that you have a 80% chance of laying down in one way or another

[crx2gen]

I think you should base your decision on not only what you expect from your first bike, but also your plans with it - obviously you can't say whether or not you will still be interested in riding in a year's time, but the decision to buy one of the more expensive 250's in the RS should be dictated by one of two factors:

a) you plan to keep the RS250 for some time beyond the year-long provisional period;

b) you're a tall-ass motherf*cker and don't fit on anything else!

I find the RS250 a breeze to own and ride, as a 2-stroke its about as easy to live with as they get especially regarding oil levels. Big brakes are nice too, and hell, learn basic suspension setups as you go. To be honest, if I had the chance to buy my first bike over again, I'd probably buy another RS250.

[bv]

yeah its hard to go back from a 2-stroke if you're looking at the other 250's.... 0 to 18,000 rpm and not a horsepower amongst it.

on the other hand they mostly have electric start

[80DGY]

Nah, crx2gen loves bump staring the 'pril