4-stroke vs 2-stroke (FXR150 vs RG150)

[Kiwi.in.transit]

Hiya everyone,
I'm looking for some advice on whether a 4-stroke or 2-stroke would be better for a learner? I'd completely discarded the idea of a 2-stroke because I'd heard they were more expensive, more difficult to maintain and had a shorter engine life... but I was talking to a guy the other day who thought the opposite...? What do you guys think?

The particular bikes I've got in mind at the moment are the FXR150 or the RG150, but I'm still looking around, so we'll see what comes up. Any opinions out there as to which would be better? Or maybe some common problems that crop up with either?

Cheers all.

[breakaway]

What you posted about two strokes is true, but it's a shitload more fun. And also, you can pick up a RG150 for <$2000 depending on condition.

FXR150 is good too, and probably a lot cheaper to run. My RG150 gave me 200km to the tank + two stroke oil.

I used to own an RG150, to this day I miss it. It was a FUN bike to ride. Very light, goes like you wouldn't believe. I'd get a RG150 if I was you. FXR150 will probably also cost more. Just make sure it's had a recent rebuild or something.

[EJK]

I don't know about the RG150 but thanks to the DOHC engine of FXR, the engine idle is really smooth comparing to SOHC on GN250 or SX-4.
Hence its really beginner-learner friendly... VERY actually.
Topspeed of about 140kph is purely enough for a beginner unless you are another "Hoon" lol

Many bikers say the RG150 has more power hence faster.
If you buy the FXR, you MIGHT think "Argh! I should've bought the RG150!" after about a month. But who knows

IMO, get the FXR. It has enough power, good fuel economy, VERY learner friendly etc...

But if you are going to ride for "pleasure of speed", then go for the RG150 or anything faster, cause you MIGHT regret later

[McJim]

There will be plenty of people on KB willing to give you advice and do the odd top end rebuild on an RG150.

Basically if you are going to get anything smaller than 225cc it's gotta be 2 stroke otherwise the cyclists are gonna pass you going up hills.

[Boob Johnson]

Basically if you are going to get anything smaller than 225cc it's gotta be 2 stroke otherwise the cyclists are gonna pass you going up hills.

lol too true Jim

[FruitLooPs]

There will be plenty of people on KB willing to give you advice and do the odd top end rebuild on an RG150.

Basically if you are going to get anything smaller than 225cc it's gotta be 2 stroke otherwise the cyclists are gonna pass you going up hills.

Amen, my RG150 has been great. Expensive to own and run, but mega fun compared to my friends FXR150 from what i've noticed.

Easily more grunt too, well once you're in the powerband at least.

Good tyres + RG150 is a winning combo.

[kaz]

Basically if you are going to get anything smaller than 225cc it's gotta be 2 stroke otherwise the cyclists are gonna pass you going up hills.

Well when I tried a FXR150 I found it a hell of a lot faster than riding my bicycle up the Ngaio Gorge (and that's quite a hill). But now that I think about it, sometimes even joggers passed me on the bicycle...

[Kiwi.in.transit]

Cool, thanks for the help everyone. So if I've got this right, the verdict is basically that the RG150 is more powerful, and the FXR150 is cheaper. I'm pretty small so the bike won't have much to lug around hehe Anyway I'll keep it in mind and probably ask around a few more places while I try and make up my mind!

[bungbung]

Something not mentioned yet, the two strokes are all kick start, while the fxr is electric.

[90s]

Cool, thanks for the help everyone. So if I've got this right, the verdict is basically that the RG150 is more powerful, and the FXR150 is cheaper. I'm pretty small so the bike won't have much to lug around hehe Anyway I'll keep it in mind and probably ask around a few more places while I try and make up my mind!

You should be able to get an RG for less than an FXR.

For me another crucial factor in the reasoning why an RG is so much better than an FXR is that you can use it on motorways and 100kph open roads easily. At 100kph the RG sits under its powerband reving at about 7k. Open her up little more and she'll fly up to 140. Eventually you might top out at 180. Being able to accelerate from 100kph is a good safety factor on the open road, and one of the reasons most people get rid or their FXrs, GNs and Voltys asap. These bikes 'do' 100kph but they are struggling and there's nothing in reserve.
But people - inc. me - often wish they could run an RG as well as their 'other' bike because they are great fun and very practical.

[NotaGoth]

Something not mentioned yet, the two strokes are all kick start, while the fxr is electric.

That said, I must admit when I was looking at buying my first bike I didn't really think about kick start and electric start, infact there is alot of things I didn't think about that now having owned my RG when it comes to buying my next bike I can write out of my lists of wants so I'll have the bike thats perfect for me.

I do regret the fact my RG is a kick start. It can be a real pain in the arse when I stall doing hill starts. I'll be honest and admit that. If I could go back and do it all again I think I'd have gone for electric start.

You should be able to get an RG for less than an FXR.

For me another crucial factor in the reasoning why an RG is so much better than an FXR is that you can use it on motorways and 100kph open roads easily. At 100kph the RG sits under its powerband reving at about 7k. Open her up little more and she'll fly up to 140. Eventually you might top out at 180. Being able to accelerate from 100kph is a good safety factor on the open road, and one of the reasons most people get rid or their FXrs, GNs and Voltys asap. These bikes 'do' 100kph but they are struggling and there's nothing in reserve.
But people - inc. me - often wish they could run an RG as well as their 'other' bike because they are great fun and very practical.

Despite the kickstart, I do love my RG. The bikes perfect size wise (for a small female) And its been fairly easy for me to learn to work on when need be. For a tiny wee bike they are a whole lotta fun, nice pickup. I doubt that you'd get bored to quickly. It is probably wrong of me to say this... But, even though I'm a learner I like having that bit of "play" available.

I haven't had the opportunity to ride an FXR, so I can't really comment on what they are like to ride, my sister has one so maybe if I weasel in a ride I can come back and tell you what I think, I doubt it though. All in all I really suggest that you take a good look at both, and see which feels most comfortable for you. There are the pros and cons to both, but if it doesn't feel right and comfortable for you then there is really no point buying it.

Goodluck.

[fireball]

its a shame youre not up this way i would happily let you take my FXR for a decent thrash, im looking to upgrade and well my experience with the FXR compared to my previous 2 stroker i had before it well 2 stroke is faster but burns oil like no 2mrw and service costs are more
my FXR ive owned for 3 years i think, and it apart from the usual oil and lube the only real cost ive put into it is new clutch, new choke cables, and a new air filter all up cost of about 300 dollars... 2 stroker you would pay that in one oil and lube service as the carbs tend to require soaking and cleaning.

go for the FXR i get 280km to the tank top speed of 140 good learner bike they just suck when you get over them and want something bigger and faster as in my case

[davereid]

I don't accept that 2 strokes are less reliable or harder to maintain than 4 strokes. It may have been the case years ago, when you mixed poor quality oil with the petrol in the hope of looking after the engine. But now you can buy synthetic two-stroke oils, and they are not expensive ~ $17 litre.

A four stroke...
Has better fuel consumption and produces less emissions.

But..
Needs as much oil as a two stroke (just it's changed periodically not consumed)

May need an oil filter at the same time.

Needs valve adjustment regularly if it is to go well.

Needs a skilled user or a mechanic to do the work.

Costs a fortune should it need a rebuild.

A two stroke..
Will need a de-coke if you run it on standard oil.. (but why would you ?)

Produces much more power per unit displacement than a 4 stroke

Needs no valve adjustment

Never needs an oil change

engine is always getting brand-new oil for lubrication

Is much cheaper and easier to fix if it should ever go wrong.

[LilSel]

I say RG150... I got on an FXR150 the other day... *shivvers*... felt like my hands were almost together!... for me it felt like I was riding a broom LOL

[sefer]

But now you can buy synthetic two-stroke oils, and they are not expensive ~ $17 litre.

Where?! I'm sure I pay like $24 or so...

Never needs an oil change

Well I'm don't know about the RG, but my KRR has a wet clutch, though it's only about a litre, if that.

Everything else I totally agree with though.

A 2 stroke 150 is reasonably quick, not bad on fuel, easy as to maintain, and super easy to rebuild compared to a 4stroke. Though my KR is pretty new compared to most RGs I've only had to do the regular services and change the plug twice (once because I left it sitting for 3 months while I was overseas).