Starting out on a stroker 250

[Babelfish]

THought I'd start a thread on here to get peoples opinion on a new biker starting out on a 250 two stroke.

Anyone on here do this? I did and seemed to make it through relatively unscathed and really enjoyed my formulative years rinky-dinkying around the countryside. That said, if someone asked me....as they have recently (not mentioning any names that may be on this site) I would advise against it for the smoother learning curve through the 4 strokes, but I know for myself it can be done given some maturity.

So essentially, in your response you'll also be advising the unmentioned person....dont get on your high horse, put some meat behind it.

[ArcherWC]

oh god, here we go again, hasnt this been covered to death by now

[Babelfish]

FAir play, remove it then mods

[vamr]

At least 4 other threads that I've read so far on this exact topic.

Parts are drying up. Unless you have the funds to pay the premium prices of rebuild items then no, go for a nice vtr.

[Ixion]

Point is, you're only getting input from one side of the equation. Some people could start on a 250TS race replica and get away with it. Because of maturity (I'd have no fears for Mr Buckbuck1), or sheer luck. They will say , quite truely, "I started out on one such, and I'm fine". However the others, the ones who did NOT get away with it, are not going to be posting . Because they are dead, or gave away motorcycles, either because they were badly injured , or because they frightened themselves/mothers/wives etc too badly.

To my mind the significant question is "WHY does this person intend to start out on a two smoke screamer". For instance , Mr Donor started out on a RZ250. Because someone gave him that bike. He didn't really get on well with it , but he came to no harm.

But usually the answer to the why question is "Because I want the fastest possible bike that I can ride on a L licence"; and the unspoken but near certain corollary is "And I am going to ride it as fast as I possibly can, regardless of lack of experience." And all the maturity issues that implies.

Many of these learners will come to motorcycling after previous experience in cages . Always a dangerous thing. Any fool can drive a cage fast. You just sit there and shove your foot on that pedel. And if something goes wrong (it's not likely to) , you just shove your foot on that other pedal.

Riding a bike is another matter. Things are more likely to go wrong. And getting out of trouble is more demanding. And a TS 250 is very unforgiving.

So, an inexperienced rider, riding the fastest bike he can buy, as fast as he can, assuming that if things go wrong all he need do is stand on the brakes.Hm. A good candidiate for Gene-O-Kleen - Evolution you can see

[Motu]

An MZ 250 is an ideal 2 stroke to learn on - what's the problem?

[Babelfish]

Ixion, thats a good view point. I one I go by myself, abeit for me a hypocritical one considering I did exactly as newby is wanting to do. My reasons were to get the biggest bang for buck but mostly because I loved the strokers at the time. I went by the learn slowly quickly concept, building up knowledge as fast as possible while taking things progressively.

I think if someone is mature, and attacks the bike with some common sense, then it not a problem. Attack the bike with cage mentality and they're fucked. Respect for the bike is the same whichever way they go, and if this is missing then hello road rash, goodbye bike (on a good day).

My advice is the same as anyone elses and pretty much reflects the majority on KB, but the concept definately isnt without argument. From what I understand, said person want the RS due to aesthetics and the presence of the bike...similar to my own reasons....and in this field the RS is hard to beat. For this reason I definately wouldnt be pointing them to a GN...or anyone for that matter since I'm a firm believer in the role aesthetics and presence play in the biking mentality (sorry GN owners....no actually, get fucked, your probably only going to "upgrade" to a gixxer and hassle honda's anyway).

Its a tuffy, since for some people, the more people saying "dont do it" just exacerbates the issue. I almost think that 250 strokers being put in the same class as 400 4 strokes in terms of licensing would be a good idea (see how people feel about that!).

Splurge over, written too much and cant remember what I started so will retreat for a moment

[Mr. Peanut]

I started on a 250 2-stroke, after a short jaunt on a 125cc scooter. What can I say, I like power!

I'd rather be doing 100kph on an NSR than a GN250. Far better brakes, handling, suspension.....

The 250cc rule should be sacked, it ignores physics, aside from volume. If I had the choice, I would have started out on a DR650.

[imdying]

Plenty of friends learnt on RZ250s, NS250Rs, NSR250s (87-91), RGV250s (89). The engines are still fairly gutless on the grand scheme of things...

I think that the riding position is probably worse for learners than the 'power'. RZ250 is an exception, they're pretty easy to stooge about on. I also think that avoiding cages and learning road craft is a steeper learning curve than riding a two stroke 250 ever will be.

It is worth considering how easy it is to drop a bike when learning, and the 2 strokes are often GP reps with plenty of plastic. It would have to be a case by case decision, some people will be fine, others should avoid. An RS is probably the worst for a learner by that metric.

Something else is maintenance. You run a stroker out of oil, it's all over. Some people who've been brought up on a diet of Japanese cars that run forever no matter how you neglect them lack the discipline for maintaing a 2 stroke. Whilst they don't need large amounts of it, it is important.

Suggest a Hyosung GTR250 to them... it's a piece of crap that doesn't matter much if it dies, but will still resell in 6 months for decent coin, and doesn't look totally crap.

[gijoe1313]

Ahh yes, I now have a two-stroker smoker in my possession. It is loud, smelly, dirty, noisy and... so much fun! It is like riding a hand grenade and I'm glad that I've ridden my little ol'Hornet to appreciate the unique characteristics of Daisy (a thoroughbred RZ250).

I give her death and love the sheer thrill of making her corner with the revs still ringa-dinging-dinging. I notice there is no chicken strips on the metzler cookie cuttter tyres! the play I had on my little ol'Hornet definitely helped in pushing Daisy along a little more! As others have said, it's a maturity thing. I bop along, but back off plenty to allow the brakes to actually work and bring me to a stop! The take-off from lights ... still brings out the hoon in me, fang it to speed limit and sit it there - usually by then, I'm 50m out in front of the nearest cage

And I found some two-stroke oil that brought back the smoky, smelly effect again The last lot was so good, it eliminated all those features!

So, two-strokers for a beginner? I would say only if the rider had a good head and control over their wrist (tui ad). Get your skills up on a manageable ride, then give it death on the two-stroker smokers!

[Babelfish]

As it stands, said rider has gone for a hornet. Here's the deal though. Some people cant be told "no" and must be shown their own understanding on such matters. With enough learning on this, the person (given enough self preservation) will make the right decision by themselves, as in this case.

Thanks for those who responded, even though this is a repititious subject, the laws make its reoccurance necessary on the odd occasion.

[Donor]

...So, two-strokers for a beginner? I would say only if the rider had a good head and control over their wrist (tui ad). Get your skills up on a manageable ride, then give it death on the two-stroker smokers!

And for this very reason Daisy was sent to your custody.

I started getting too confident too soon...

...but shit it was fun... *cough*

[Kickaha]

An MZ 250 is an ideal 2 stroke to learn on - what's the problem?

I rode one of those the other week at Ruapuna and coudln't even keep up with a bucket, loved it though and now I want one

Handled suprising well, slow as fuck, brakes aren't bad but not much "feel" at the lever

[speeding_ant]

I learnt on the road on an RG150. I suppose I used to race an RVG though so it wasnt too bad at all. RG150 is one hell of a bike, reccomended to anyone. I only liked it ccause of its smell.. mmmmmmm, two stroke in the morning. Nothing like it