Stroker 250 as a daily rider - straight up answer

[MrMelon]

Those tzr's aren't as peaky as some of the other 2 strokes so they're fine to commute on. they've got a lot more bottom end than your average nsr/rgv. I did on my 91 tzr for about a year and it was sweet as. Heaps of fun too! Just ended up costing a bit when the gaskets started leaking but you get that. Teaches you a fair bit about bike maintenance too.

[nudemetalz]

What model is an 1989 ?
Is that when the reverse-cylinder one's came out?
I know that the first model were excellent reliable machines as MrMelon has stated and that the next model (rev cyl) were a bit troublesome. The next model V-twins were basically race-bikes on the road.
I rode a v-twin model once and I definitely would not want to commute on that !!

[JeremyW]

twas the reverse cylinder model. It did have a surprising amount of bottom end and I could see that commuting, although difficult, woudlnt be impossible but being a student means those expensive maintenence/repair costs are way out of my budget unfortunately.

But I know I will soon (when graduated and in the real world) own a 250 stroker because that was the most fun I have had in a long time, clothes on or off!!!

[Ixion]

What model is an 1989 ?
Is that when the reverse-cylinder one's came out?
I.. the next model (rev cyl) were a bit troublesome. ..

Just a bit. Just a bit. Sorta like the Pope's just a bit unpopular with the Moslems.

[JeremyW]

what are the tzr's like compared with a nsr or rgv from 89? performance wise.

[Ixion]

RGV's reckoned the fastest, but fragile.

NSR not as fast (but we're talking subtle distinctions here) , bit more robust.

Early TZRs were on a par with the RG250 (preceeded the RGV, completely different bike). The reverse cylinder ones were a disaster. fast, while they kept going.

MVX Hondas were fastish. But even more unreliable than the TZR.

Owners of the respective models will of course vehemently disagree.

Given their age, and parts availability, only one I'd reckon for an "only bike, ride to work and everywhere else" mount would be the RGV. NSR or TZR would be nice as a second bike for occasional weekend hoons.

As people have said, they're not the best of machines for learners. OK , if said learner is responsible , mature, etc - what am I saying we're talking two smokers here. But, people have started out on RGVs. Some have lived to tell of tehir experiences.

EDIT: With all these bikes, actual performance will depend far more on the condition and tune of the bike , and the skill of the rider, than any paper specification.

Two smokers are notorious for losing 30 kph off the top end today cos the planets are in the wrong astronmical ascension, and getting it back tomorrow, cos the wind changed. Far more sensitive to going out of tune than a four stroke, and require far more skill to actually get the performance the specifications talk about. And putting the horseys onto the road is a whole other matter again. Riding style is completely different to a four stroke.

[nudemetalz]

You haven't mentioned the Kwaka KR-1's there, Ixion.
Beautiful machines, but also very fragile (apparently).

Mate of mine had an MVX when I was younger, was a fast as my CBX400F, but blew up big time eventually. The rear cylinder let go, quite a common problem. They weren't that bad to ride though, quite torquey but RG's & RZ's used to beat them.

[Ixion]

Yes, the KR1-S was fast (not as fast as the older triples though!. Now if you really want to commit suicide ...,). And hung together just about long enough to finish a race. Sometimes

If you're talking older sports two strokes the RZ yamahas were about the pick of the crop. And the GT Suzukis for touring. Now THEY are a two smoker that will never break. But not as exciting , to be sure.

And then there's the four cyclinders. Sigh.

[nudemetalz]

And then there's the four cyclinders. Sigh.

Don't get me started on my reasoning for selling my perfectly good RZ-500....
The 8th wonder of th world !!!

The experiences I had riding that beast, from the fouling plugs, to the vicious front-end bump steer, the power wheelies (small ones) and the noise when she got 4 expansion chambers put on !!!!

[Motu]

Two smokers are notorious for losing 30 kph off the top end today cos the planets are in the wrong astronmical ascension, and getting it back tomorrow, cos the wind changed. .

And power bands shifting when the sun goes behind a cloud.My TS/TM400 was like that somedays - it has the honour (so far,touch wood,aaaagh,now I've done it!) of being the only bike to dump me on gravel.One day 26 rpm below the power band,instead of 40hp spinning up the rear wheel to square off the corner,I had 20hp punching the front wheel out from under me.I thought I knew it better than that - but that's a 2 stroke for you,like having a pet tiger,one day they will take a swipe at you when your back is turned.

[hXc]

Yes, the KR1-S was fast (not as fast as the older triples though!. Now if you really want to commit suicide ...,). And hung together just about long enough to finish a race. Sometimes

If you're talking older sports two strokes the RZ yamahas were about the pick of the crop. And the GT Suzukis for touring. Now THEY are a two smoker that will never break. But not as exciting , to be sure.

And then there's the four cyclinders. Sigh.

You're forgetting a really beautiful and pretty damn fast machine there: Kawasaki KH250 Triple *drool*

[Motu]

Um,no drooling there - you can only fold a piece of paper into ever smaller sizes a set number of times,and 250 was twice too many.

[ZorsT]

I think an RG-150 is the way to go. Definatly.

They are getting quite expensive at the moment though...

[dawnrazor]

had a 125 aprillia as my second bike - it was fantastic, 33bhp from a 125 was so much fun, I loved it......................except once ever couple of months it would slap me about a bit and demand fully syntetic oil to drink, now thats not cheap......it would be okay then for a little while, but once I did some big K's it would want its engine striped and rebuilt and that usually would involve raping my bank account.

Once I had it off the road for 3 months, just to find the readies to pay its bills.

2 strokes are sweet but they are for screaming the tits off not commutting, you'll only kill it that way.

[imdying]

Many many years ago I used an RZ-500 as my daily commuter...needless to say on many occasions it became an RZ-375-V3 and RZ-250-V2....
Quite easy to see which plug had fouled by one exhaust not smoking while others were...

Ahhh... I commuted a bit on my RZ500, never fouled plugs though. The secret lies in B8HVXs