Information Required on 2 stroker as an everyday commute

[Tick_Tock_Binned_His_Shit]

Information needed regarding 2 strokers as an everyday commuter bikes. Aside from basic maintenance; plugs, oil, filters, tires, breaks, chains, sprockets and taking into account you probably have to carry a jerry can to mix your fuel when refueling. What other information should I be aware of if I'm considering riding a 20+ yr old 2 Stroke Sportsbike (ie.. Creme's old NSR or similar) as a daily commute? Based on the fact I would probably do between 25 and 30 thousand k's a year...

flame away

[Loud]

You haven't considered top-end rebuilds. This will see you removing fairings, barrells and everything else in between so that you can replace your rings and/or pistons every 10,000km or so.

If you aren't mechanically minded, you soon would be. Or you'd be shelling out $$$ in labour each time, plus parts. Then when you're bottom end seals need replacing you're looking at far more.

For that many km per year, I wouldn't. And I love working on my bike. But if you're capable and willing then from all accounts the NSR250 is a great bike.

[thro]

no road 2 strokes are premix from the factory since the late 70s?

30,000km/yr will mean 2-3 rebuilds per year.

expect about 11L/100km fuel economy, plus 1L/1000km (ish?) oil consumption


a 2 stroke sports bike is WASTED on straight lines (freeway - they don't like constant speed and chew fuel - you're basically paying heaps in fuel, oil and maintenance for no benefit). keep one for the weekend, spend the money you save on fuel/rebuilds on a scooter or bunky 4 stroke for the commute

[devolved]

My neighbour has an NXS250RR - and said he rode it everyday for 9 years as his daily commuter. There is real love between that man and his machine. I didn't ask how many times he'd had it re-built in that time....

[SP1RITED]

I used my 1st RS250 for a lot of (mainly freeway) commuting with no dramas at all (also had a 4WD), my current RS250 is a different story . . .
and yeah +1 for what the other guys have said.

[fractoid]

My brother-in-law has a Honda CBR125R for sale for $2.5k, buy that and it'll save you thousands on fuel costs alone.

[JonW]

Rode 2 strokes for years as my daily commute, around 30-50kms a day with no real hassles... it can be done, but back roads are way more fun than freeway, but hey you knew that LOL

[kale]

Don't waste time, get a Busa!

[smitto81]

i wouldnt bother, them jerry cans are heavy everytime u fill up

[filbert]

depends on the state of tune and performance level of the 2 stroke, 40,000kms on a dt175 without a rebuild over several owners, it used to foul plugs really easily and was a bitch to start sometimes but as long as you didn't putter around it would run for 1000kms+ on a plug even in that worn out state.

Something hard tuned intended for racing or sporty performance will never last anywhere near that long and the failure will most likely be catastrophic because of the lighter parts, i think aprilia quote 16,000kms for a top end a rebuild but if you race it or ride it hard shorten that interval to between 5,000 and 10,000

The honda nsr150 is softer tuned and actually designed as a commuter but still with decent performance might be better to look at than the aprilia or nsr250.

[Nath]

They are soooo shit, loud, smelly, need constant attention, chew fuel, awful in traffic. Don't get one.

[Tick_Tock_Binned_His_Shit]

I would have no problem doing a top end rebuild, pistons ring's, I'm confident I would learn my shit quick. I've read lots about the catastrophic failures that can occur and that combined with the bottom end seals/rebuild has me worried. But everything else just sounds like expensive toy problems.

Chewing fuel is not so cool, but loud is what I look for in a bike and smelly is just a bonus... I think it would be fun in traffic as the NSR is a narrow light bike and would be easy to lane split like all hell and just keep it on the wire.

So far it seems half and half, i'm going to look into this further...

Thanks all :-)

[dennisw]

I ride my RD250LC frequently to work but as mentioned freeways are a pain in the butt.Best thing though is getting a few mates out on the strokers and have a Blue haze ride.

[thro]

Oh don't get me wrong, they're a hoot in traffic.

But if you're sitting on the freeway for say 25km each direction every day it would get old quick (you'd be filling up 3+ times per week and need a rebuild every 10 months from commuting 5 days per week to work and back alone).

If your commute can be through back-roads, etc they're a hoot. Probably about the most expensive (running costs) mode of transportation you can buy for the money though - by the time you factor fuel, oil rebuilds, tyres, etc....

[EEKNOWS]

Get a DT 200 and use Pirelli Scorpion tyres or 17 Alpha 10's on rgv wheels , add some advance to the engine, if you win traffic light GP's and back it in to the round about.
Impossible to kill.

[twinrock]

hey mate i have been using bikes as a dailly commute for my whole commuting life..(i have never owned a car..!!)they have all been 2 strokes...a stock rz will do 25tho kms on a top end...which is easy to replace and cheap, comfortable and around the 13kms per ltr mark. heaps of torque heaps of speed..happy to sit at freeway speeds..u can aways adjust ur final drive set up to suit
i currently ride a tzr250 which is still on the original top end..basically stock engine..just has bigger carbs...this bike has been dead bolt reliable since i got the new carbs on it. this is now pushing 25th and still sounds great and goes great too...best road friendly 250 2t in my book comfotable..fuel is about 15km pr ltr parts again are cheap and easy to work on...
dt200..great very underated bike...again very reliable all bottom end bearings can be replaced by local bearing shop..top ends are again cheap...and only one cylinder...pretty dam good power too..great for around the street and off road option..will be happy at 100kms pr hour...fuel is at 22km pr ltr.. those are the only 2 stokes i would consider for your wants and u will buy any of them for under $2000 au in good condition...sorry mr suzuki,honda and kwaka...but ur all too highly strung uncomfortable and expensive... remember no matter what u buy with what reputation..if its flogged out or u dont look after it...it will smack u in the face and wallet everytime...