2-Stroke bikes - high maintenance?

[ficklepickle]

Hey guys, I will be getting my license soon (hopefully by May, not that soon but still) and I'm just wondering whether bikes like the Honda NSR 150 and Kawa KR150 are high in maintenance cost.

 

And another question is whether the insurance premium will be high for such bikes especially considering its my first bike but i do have a Class 3 license for more than year, does that help in bringing down the cost of the insurance?

 

Thanks in advance

[superspeed123]

Bike like kr and nsr are ex to insurance.It will depend on your age too.

[apekyano]

bro how old are u?

kawa insurance is a killer..

for sp is slightly cheaper..

latest i went to check..

the insurance is 1k for sp for my fren..

he is 20 and still p plate..

maintenance wise..

i spent ard $200 a month on petrol and 2t..

but i do travel alot so roughly u get the idea..

servicing all that...

do at jb cheap2 lah for both..

im still happy wif my 2 stroke..

im riding kr btw..

[ficklepickle]

By the time I get my license, I will be 21. 1k for insurance? That is steep

[Snoek]

1, Insurance is expensive for SP/KR.But if you like the bike, you got to pay for the insurance under the "Bo bian Act"

 

2. Maintenance is not expensive unless things break down/spoil. Eg. Clutch housing,Clutch plates,Gear box.

 

Otherwise its consider cheap for normal servicing EG:

 

Maxima/Motul 2T - $20 (Good ones)

Spark Plug - $10.

Engine Oil Fully syn - $25 (Good ones)

 

When i own a SP and KR i always thot its so expensive, but when go to 2A RVF, the price all standard $100 and above. Sept 09 Jan 10 i have spent 2k plus to make it to a good condition.

[ficklepickle]

How often do you think servicing is needed for such bikes like the KR 150? I'm contemplating whether to get it but I need to know the ownership costs involved. Any bros here can share their experience with either the SP or KR?

[afiQ]

servicing is depend on the rider preference.

some every 2000km or 4000km while some every month.

 

just be responsible going for the normal servicing like what bro Snoek have listed.

And the bike will serve u well.

[Kyosho]

Hi all, got another qn regards 2 strokes... Apologise to thread starter for hijack.

 

Have heard many says the authorities were very strict on 2 strokes, esp its smoke emission. Thus have difficulties to pass inspection, or get summons even on the road! Its that true? Am thinking biking again after long break, but these rules saddens me...

[barefoot]

Hi all, got another qn regards 2 strokes... Apologise to thread starter for hijack.

 

Have heard many says the authorities were very strict on 2 strokes, esp its smoke emission. Thus have difficulties to pass inspection, or get summons even on the road! Its that true? Am thinking biking again after long break, but these rules saddens me...

 

bullshlt imo . .

 

those who used strawberry 2t, or have over rich 2t are just asking for it

its the rider nt the bike

[Kyosho]

bullshlt imo . .

 

those who used strawberry 2t, or have over rich 2t are just asking for it

its the rider nt the bike

 

Haha... thank you for your nice reply Barefoot, now can have piece of mind liao!

 

Like to check again, what kinda 2T is safe enough to use?? Those sold at petrol kiosk like Mobil, and which is good enough to use? Saw lately at kiosks these 2T`s ain`t cheap anymore... last time when I rode is about $4.00 per litre, and nows seems $16.00 also have!

[Figila]

jus a tip r..dnt mix2 ur 2t.will make the smoke visible.from ma experience.

[Kyosho]

jus a tip r..dnt mix2 ur 2t.will make the smoke visible.from ma experience.

 

Bro, you mean petrol mix with 2T?

 

Like that I understands liao... haha

[taaouicha]

Generally a two stroke engine is lighter and has less moving parts so loses less power through friction and inertia... Because 2 stroke engines fire every 2 strokes they can develop more power...

Motorcycle grandprix changed from 500cc 2 strokes to 1000cc 4 strokes and the power output is about the same.. Although as the series develops then the bikes will become more powerfull

 

Two stroke however need to burn oil constantly to lubricate the engine. This oil is polluting and some tight emission laws around the world have forced some two strokes of the market completely. Also due to the way the engine works, the piston rings and engine bore are prone to wear and failure.. and although the engine is pretty easy to strip and rebuild, a two stroke in comparison to a four stroke has a short engine life.

2 strokes by their nature are extremely difficult to fuel inject (which could help solve the emission problems).. The Bimota V-Due 500 was launched as a 500cc 2 stroke with fuel injection but was plagued with problems, and was later withdrawn... That saying though a new generation of the two stroke engine is being designed, This new engine is supposed to do away with the need for using oil mixed with the fuel for lubrication, and also can be fuel injected...

 

4 stroke engines are generally more reliable, and give a smoother spread of power for most of the rev range, whereas 2 strokes tend to be "peaky". producing their peak power in a very small section of the rev range, usually at very high engine revs.

As four strokes do not burn oil for lubricating the engine they generally pollute less. They can be turbo charged and supercharged.

[scubasimon]

maintenance of 2-stroke vs 4-stroke quite similar in my limited experience...then again, i ride my 4-stroke a lot more than my 2-stroke. i suppose that makes a difference.

 

as to insurance, i can say that age is the biggest factor. i have a tw200 and a mito (125cc). the insurance is cheaper for the mito than the tw200 in my case. then again, i am an old guy so maybe that makes sense.

 

best thing is to call ntuc for a quote so you get a ballpark.

[ficklepickle]

I just got my ride yesterday and this morning when I tried to start it, it couldn't start. Then about 5 mins of trying, it idled for 2-3 secs before dying.

Finally, a "brainwave", the choke lever. I managed to start the bike! Okay my question is, do I always have to pull the choke lever whenever I start the bike in the morning.

 

Thanks

[taaouicha]

I just got my ride yesterday and this morning when I tried to start it, it couldn't start. Then about 5 mins of trying, it idled for 2-3 secs before dying.

Finally, a "brainwave", the choke lever. I managed to start the bike! Okay my question is, do I always have to pull the choke lever whenever I start the bike in the morning.

 

Thanks

 

depends i think, i know for my krr last time if

1. i didnt start the bike for some time

2. just after rain

 

i need to pull the choke or it wont start. on other times its easy to start.

[NSRog]

not really high maintenance as compared to 4 strokes. its just the 2t part. get quality 2t like motul or maxima etc. service wise i believe similar to 4 strokes.

[samuelftw5]

2b bike is nth expensive compared to 2a bike. haha.

However, 2stroke 2b is slighty more expensive than 4stroke for the fc, maintenance and 2t. But the gap is still smaller compared to a 2a and a 2b.

 

2cents

[taaouicha]

2b bike is nth expensive compared to 2a bike. haha.

However, 2stroke 2b is slighty more expensive than 4stroke for the fc, maintenance and 2t. But the gap is still smaller compared to a 2a and a 2b.

 

2cents

 

Very True !

And 2a ,class 2 almost no difference in maintenance cost

I wish they would scrap the 2a license...

Waste of time to be honest

2b into class 2 would be best

Or hell 2b license into 2a license into class2 WITHOUT the time gap for 1 year twice!

 

I got my 2b,2a and waiting to enroll for class 2

Left 1 month plus to go ...

 

But to me its either get a 2b bike for savings

Or get a class 2; 1 liter bike for performance, track days n bling factor

Though better brakes n such on bigger bikes makes it a lot more fun and safe 4 me

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

Like to check again, what kinda 2T is safe enough to use?? Those sold at petrol kiosk like Mobil, and which is good enough to use? Saw lately at kiosks these 2T`s ain`t cheap anymore... last time when I rode is about $4.00 per litre, and nows seems $16.00 also have!

 

Probably depends on bike, 2T setting etc.

 

I got my first ride, Y125Z back in 2004 which had enormous smoke issues. Using the more expensive Shell semi-synth 2T (blue bottle) and getting the shop to reduce the 2T flow did the trick for inspections.

 

No issues with reliability but having to buy 2T once every 3-4 weeks is a good bonus as the bike has tremendous power for its size, and light weight = fc about 37km/l as at Jan 2010.

 

Seriously, no disadvantages for a 2 stroker as getting the above FC is from my riding style is considered fantastic - full power acceleration and at least 120kph on highway every day for 6 years. However, engine short life is an issue and the bike has been overhauled once every 1.5 years.

 

Smoke is still produced for about 5-10 mins after engine start, possibly unavoidable from the engine's design.

 

No issues with inspections despite obvious smoke emissions - I once overhead a senior inspector tutoring a younger one, mentioning something like this bike model having a racing pipe and will have white smoke no matter what.

 

Also a warning:

 

If you reduce the 2T flow to reduce smoke, beware of piston jam especially during hot weather and high speed and/or uphill work.

 

As for 2 stroke vs 4 stroke, no idea - I just traded in for a freshly overhauled Phantom so we'll see how that goes.

 

My father had took over a Nighthawk (250cc) which was already 15 years old at the turn of the century and until today, no problems at all and when ridden well, his acceleration is as good as mine at low gears.

[swiftee]

maintenance for 2 strokes is pretty straightforward cause of their simple design

fuel consumption may be a bit higher than 4 strokes

and you'll probably need to take care of her 2t

 

otherwise, a good condition well-tuned 2 stroke shouldnt give you much trouble

[uuMaaR]

buy 4 stroke better! less pollution!

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

But remember, 2 strokes give much more power for their weight & cc!

[Lou]

the insurance is high as hell. i paid 1300 for my kawa.

[choke]

It's not very high maintenance. Just 2T and Engine oil/ spark plug every 3000km. Otherwise for the performance, i'd say it's reasonable.