Missing the smell of the 2 stroke oil

[Hads]

Ever since I stopped riding an old Jawa I have missed the 2 stroke feel. I now have a klx 250s for mostly commuting and the odd bash around the Ashley river, is there a 2 stroke out there that could be used as a dual sport? Would it be reliable enough to commute 100km a day on?

[jim.cox]

How about a TS250?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=967379190

[Hads]

What is a bike of that age like with reliability? I found with a 72 Jawa it would not start once every two weeks.

[Ender EnZed]

There are usually a few newer TS185s floating around.

Example 1 (http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-914538507.htm)
Example 2 (http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-969091807.htm)
You can even get a brand new one (though not road legal). (http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-920487612.htm)

Not exactly ideal for a 100km daily commute but you could probably manage it if you were keen enough.

[jim.cox]

What is a bike of that age like with reliability? I found with a 72 Jawa it would not start once every two weeks.

"If it has tits or wheels it will give you trouble in the end"

[clint640]

It's a short list - DT230 Yamaha would be my pick.

Cheers
Clint

[Muzz67]

here does.
Just chuck some Castor oil in yer BMW,, so all the riders trailing along in the fumes can re-live The Good Old Daze.
Meybe sneak some in the blokes tank in front too, so you get to inhale it as well.

[T.W.R]

Simple......TDR250 Yamaha, the machine that spawned the TDM850/900 :yes: RZ250 motor in mild enduro/adventure bike frame.

[george formby]

I have a DT 230 Lanza and CRM 250 sat in the shed. Both do 150 - 200km on a tank and are reasonably comfortable for that distance. Apart from basic maintenance they just run. Unfortunately they are like hens teeth.

I'm going to have a look at a TDR 250 in bits soon to see if it's worth putting back together and on the road. I've wanted one for years... Yee haw!

[Hads]

The DT230 lanza looks cool, but they are certainly hard to find, I will do a saved search on trademe I reckon. TDR250 looks interesting too, so will hunt for one of those.

[caspernz]

Oh the nostalgia of 2 strokes...reminds me of the old mans' GT750 from about 1976 or thereabouts. Certainly heavy enough to be called a waterbus, unique enough sound in its day. Not sure I'd seek a 2 stroke out as daily transport though...

[george formby]

Oh the nostalgia of 2 strokes...reminds me of the old mans' GT750 from about 1976 or thereabouts. Certainly heavy enough to be called a waterbus, unique enough sound in its day. Not sure I'd seek a 2 stroke out as daily transport though...

I remember seeing TDR's used as courier bikes.
The trailie's are great commuters, not so flash sitting on motorways. Biggest problem is ignoring the little devil trying to make me do anti social things.
I recently re-jetted my DT, used WR 200 jetting, they use the same carb but big difference in set up. The aim was to make it run cooler and increase longevity. The side effect is a lot more ooomph and drop in fuel economy. It will wheelie out of corners now if that's your thing.
I crack up laughing every time I jump on one of the chook chasers. 40ish HP and sub 140kg.

[clint640]

I had a TDR250 when I was a young fulla. A bitchin motard, massive fun on the road or track & a real head turner back in the day, but a dual sport it was not. The weight, suspension & wheel size would make it a big step down from a KLX250/DT230 for river bed bashing, plus replacing the fragile & probably unobtainium plastics if you dropped it would not be fun.

Also the TZR based motor was thirsty (~150km out of a 14L tank IIRC) & not very reliable - if you did yearly piston replacements you might get those commuting miles out of it but it'd probably be cheaper to run a V8 :cool:

Cheers
Clint

[Motu]

Another plug for the DT230 here, they are really high tech for a 2 stroke and a shit load of fun. Yamaha blurb said ''like riding an MX bike on the street.'' Yep, that'd be right - riding around town I couldn't go straight anywhere, I'd take every side street, and then the next one and the next one. Neeyit, neeyit, neeyit, flicking through the 6 speed out of every corner. It ticked almost every box for me - but having to get down to one bike, I needed to tick a few more boxes.

[Hads]

If I cannot find a dt230, what would it take to plate a kx250 or kdx200? is it actually worthwhile?

[Tazz]

Probably 1k, so not really. I'm keen on a road legal 2 stroke dirt bike and from a lazy fawkers point of view the best way to get one is to buy one already legal, or get one of the newer KTM's Betas or Husky 300 models (preferably already legal :D). The extra money you sink into purchasing one of those second hand you'll get some of back. Putting a KDX on the road....not so much. imo anyway.

[Muzz67]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-974650592.htm

[Hads]

would a dt175 handle open road speeds ok?

[Tazz]

Pretty easy (and not spendy) to tinker with sprockets ;)

[jim.cox]

would a dt175 handle open road speeds ok?

Depending on gearing, maybe - "for how long?" would be the question

[Hads]

So at the limit of the dt175 being at 100? 25km of my 50km commute is open road is why I ask.

[Muzz67]

did thousands of k on it in 2 years. Nelson/Golden Bay,, NN/Blenhiem etc.
1 piston kit, lots of chains/sprockets, no other issues.
100kph piece of piss.

[Ender EnZed]

would a dt175 handle open road speeds ok?

It'll get there, reasonably quickly as well. You'd probably want to gear it up a fair bit from stock for a 50km daily commute though.

[XF650]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/a.aspx?id=975407865

[Hads]

How reliable would the TDR be? What sort of life do you expect from one?

[Muzz67]

was impressed.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-975989267.htm

[Hads]

Pity the TS250 is in Auckland.

[Hads]

What are the newer enduro like, are they quite high maintenance? Like the TE 250 or the 250 exc?

[clint640]

How reliable would the TDR be? What sort of life do you expect from one?

Mine lunched itself at about 25K km. 2 weeks after I sold it fortunately :pinch: I'm assuming that was worn out pistons. It had been ridden hard but was well looked after & always fed top quality 2 stroke oil. A mate of mine who is a really good, really fussy, bike mechanic raced TZR's back in the in the day (similar motor) & could not keep them together, he consequently had a very low opinion of the reliability of the Yamaha 250 twin 2 strokes.

They may last ok if you just pootle around but where's the fun in that?

Cheers
Clint

[F5 Dave]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/a.aspx?id=975407865
Oh good grief, the cow cockys have been at it. They will have fecked everything.

I still want it, but couldn't afford to fix it.

[F5 Dave]

What are the newer enduro like, are they quite high maintenance? Like the TE 250 or the 250 exc?
They are great and reliable for competition bikes. But would be miserable as a road bike. Buy one and enjoy it off road, get the fix. And buy a vtr250 or something for the commute.

[Hads]

Shame this is in the Waikato, would that be a bike able to be made road legal?
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=975924314

[Oscar]

I have given into my Castrol R addiction:

https://oscar.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Favourites/i-PMnmvFm/0/L/%24_57-L.jpg

[roogazza]

Nice Oscar, had quite a few of those.
Great years. 317143 This last one was a 'B' I think ?
Is that an American paint job ?

[Oscar]

Nice Oscar, had quite a few of those.
Great years. 317143 This last one was a 'B' I think ?
Is that an American paint job ?

That is a RD350B and it has a US spec paint job.
I had a RD400C way back when...

[clint640]

Nice one Oscar!

A bit before my time that one though. To relive the parts of my youth that were mis-spent on 2 stroke twin Yamahas I'd have to get something YPVS - the space age whizz-whirr of the power valves cycling when you turned on the key was cooler than shit. :cool:

Clint

[Motu]

My DT230 used to do that too - then I'd press a button and it would fire up all by itself!

[jim.cox]

Here you go...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-984758332.htm

[Hads]

Here you go...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-984758332.htm

Cool, I have been doing a fair bit of research, but where I fell over was parts for it, are they difficult to source?

Additionally is that a fair price?

[george formby]

Cool, I have been doing a fair bit of research, but where I fell over was parts for it, are they difficult to source?

Additionally is that a fair price?

I get all my parts from Japan. My DT had buggered crank bearings, my own fault for taking it swimming, so the top and bottom of the motor has been re-built. All OE Yamaha seals, bearings, piston, con rod etc. Got the parts in 4 days.

I think the price is subjective. IIRC I paid a bit more for mine but it had lower K's. My take on the value is that bikes like this are no longer made, you can go 4t trail or 2t competition but not a reliable 2t trailie which will take you to work everyday and let you taste the countryside at the weekend. The DT will smoke the 4t's off road and is much more pleasant than the 2t enduros on road.

And whats this 23hp they speak of? Bout 40hp according to the specs and more available with a pipe and jetting.

[Hads]

I get all my parts from Japan. My DT had buggered crank bearings, my own fault for taking it swimming, so the top and bottom of the motor has been re-built. All OE Yamaha seals, bearings, piston, con rod etc. Got the parts in 4 days.

I think the price is subjective. IIRC I paid a bit more for mine but it had lower K's. My take on the value is that bikes like this are no longer made, you can go 4t trail or 2t competition but not a reliable 2t trailie which will take you to work everyday and let you taste the countryside at the weekend. The DT will smoke the 4t's off road and is much more pleasant than the 2t enduros on road.

And whats this 23hp they speak of? Bout 40hp according to the specs and more available with a pipe and jetting.

I even think I found your thread when doing some searching, how have you found it with reliability? Starts no worries?

[Motu]

The DT230 on TM could almost be my one, as it went to Chch in 2008, but mine had done over 30,000km when I sold it. Like G F I rebuilt mine without any parts problems. The mains went due to a leaking mains seal, and did the piston and all bearings while there. Genuine piston seals and gaskets, but bearing shop bearings. Electronic power valve, electric start, traction control, balance shaft, pretty hard to find a smoker higher speced than a DT230. One of the mostest fun bikes I've ever owned.

[Muzz67]

hold a constant speed happily??
My old '79 175 would jerk and miss,and fart like a bloody bridge ported rotary at any constant speed.

[F5 Dave]

So how fucked was it when you owned it? The really fucked late 80s one ran just fine apart from rattling and being slow.

[Hads]

So I took a look at the dt230, fun bike to ride but don't think it would last the km's I do every week. Additionally the engine was resleaved which usually also doesn't last. Did find out where he gets parts though, he goes via Trevor Pearce Motors, might to be useful to know for other dt230 owners.

I will stick with the KLX250s for the near future then, I will probably do some performance mods so I can maintain 100 in a stiff wind e.g. Modding exhaust, kdx200 airbox snorkel, adjusting cam timing and rejetting with a dynojet kit.

Thanks for all your suggestions, was good to know what is out there, I just hope manufacturers start building 2 strokes again that are made for longevity rather than speed.

[Scubbo]

just get a drz.... bout same weight, same HP, tank engine with a lot of torque for cheap... will ragdoll off cliffs and still start :sweatdrop

[F5 Dave]

Have you ridden a DRZ? Oh, right. Much more top heavy and indeed more heavy than a 2 stroke.

[Scubbo]

was comparing to a DT230 --- would be a great bike if they still made it, but DRZ made for 15 years now, so many parts can buy still running dirt only versions for ~$1000 if u ever need a whole bike for parts --- bargain bike that will take an absolute beating and keep on ticking --- but yeah, 2 stroke.... long range rugged reliable?

[george formby]

I even think I found your thread when doing some searching, how have you found it with reliability? Starts no worries?

The starter motor went shortly after I bought it. Had it re-furbed for $100 and it has not missed a beat. Kick start is very easy. Apart from me drowning the bike, reliability is excellent, just basic maintenance. Bigger jets should keep the piston cooler, a known issue.
The DT will sit at above the speed limit all day on the road with plenty in reserve for overtaking. Pretty smooth for a 2t, no tingly fingers. On standard gearing the bike has enough at the bottom to "trial" it on tight trails. Front pops up straight off the throttle, hard to stall and does not foul the plug when we play moto gymkhana, riding around at just above idle for 1/2 an hour.
I think Yamaha wanted to prove a point with the DT. To my mind it has the best of a 2t and a 4t. It's very noticeable jumping onto a more traditional 2t like the CRM with a proper step when it comes on to the pipe and requires more input to find grip and keep the motor happy. The DT is linear and the power is very deceptive. It's defo quicker than the CRM.

Any hoo. All the best with the new bike. Old 2t's are a bit niche and potentially a pain if something goes wrong. Fingers crossed.

[F5 Dave]

Gee now I want one.

[Hads]

I have found a 2001 KTM 300 exc for a reasonable price, what are these like? I have discounted the Lanza due to the rarity of it.

[F5 Dave]

I've never ridden one, they are supposed to be fairly aggressive. KTM spares are well supported but only for a while. Older model bikes seem to get left off, or that's been what some owners tell me. Get informed and visit some KTM forums which will give you a better balance than my I'll informed rambling.

Love the gasgas300s. Easy to ride. Fun.

[clint640]

I have found a 2001 KTM 300 exc for a reasonable price, what are these like? I have discounted the Lanza due to the rarity of it.

A mate has a 300EXC of that era. Awesome trailbike for a big/skilled rider. Although the powervalve spring (IIRC) can be changed to give a more gentle hit & they will tractor around not too bad as 2-strokes go. Good suspension for the day. The seat is a torture device. Fuel range isn't great. He got it road legal & did about 2 adv rides on it way back when we 1st got into adv riding - then got an F650 Dakar to keep it company in the shed.

Cheers
Clint

[10bikekid]

A mate has a 300EXC of that era. Awesome trailbike for a big/skilled rider. Although the powervalve spring (IIRC) can be changed to give a more gentle hit & they will tractor around not too bad as 2-strokes go. Good suspension for the day. The seat is a torture device. Fuel range isn't great. He got it road legal & did about 2 adv rides on it way back when we 1st got into adv riding - then got an F650 Dakar to keep it company in the shed.

Cheers
Clint

Yer love the smell of that 2 stroke

[10bikekid]

Yer love the Smell of that 2 Stroke, This one is still doing ride duties but does need tinkering with from time to time

[Oscar]

My baby finally arrived.
https://oscar.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/MCycle-Misc/i-9k4Zm85/0/X2/20160329_104445%5B1%5D-X2.jpg

I remember Jacky Beaumont on one of these with trials tyres helping out on the Raglan Enduro 1979.

[F5 Dave]

Delicsh, if that's a word. Seats not to my taste but wow otherwise.