long disntance travel on a 125cc, how far?

[flava-t]

i have a gilera sc 125 2008 2stroke and just wondered what the maximum distance is advisable to travel on a single journey on them is without it cutting out, breaking down or causing any problems & getting me to where i need to get to ok.

for example, if i were to travel 100miles on it in a single journey non stop. is that advisable / not advisable? should i take rest breaks inbetween & how long should i take rest breaks for?

longest distance i have used it for a non stop journey sofar is from chesterfield to nottingham (28miles approx) & it was fine with no problems.

if anyone on here / reading this who has traveled long distance on 125cc bike 2/4stroke & got there ok with no problems or anyone with an answer to how far the furthest riding is recommended for a 125 bike, reply & let me know.

thanks in advance!

[Andy_Pagin]

Well I regularly do 100 mile round trips on my Ybr, just take a break when you feel you need to. If the bike's in good nick it'll handle anything you ask it to.
Personally I find numb bum & cramp sets in every fifty miles or so, but then I'm forty six.
____________________
They're coming to take me away, ho-ho, hee-hee, ha-haaa, hey-hey,
the men in white coats are coming to take me away.
Yamaha Vity -> YBR125 -> FZS600 Fazer -> FZ1-S Fazer

[GrumpyGuts]

I use a 2 stroke 1976 Suzuki B120 for a 17.5 mile commute to work, then another 17.5 mile back home...

I broke down 11 times on my first day and I was 25 minutes late. That's only because of an electrical fault lol.

For a 100 mile commute, you could do that, but you have to be careful. Take a rest brake around 45 miles in for about ten minutes or so, then do the other 55.

As long as you check the oil (IMPORTANT) every week, replace/top up with high quality oil, check tyre tred and don't keep it at constant top speed (vary the speed) your engine will last a lot longer
____________________
My Bikes: Lifan Beat 125cc '11 -> Suzuki B120P '76 -> Suzuki EN 125-2A '08 -> Honda CG 125 '04 -> Honda CB600F Hornet '98 -> Kawasaki ZZR 600 '99 -> Kawasaki GPZ 500S '95 (Current)
Theory test passed - 09/02/2012 >>>> Module 1 passed 24/07/2012 >>>> Module 2 passed 24/10/2012

[Rogerborg]

The powerband will snap at exactly 107 miles.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[johns]

i have a 125 4stroke ad the bloke that had the bike before me he went from york to Sheffield and back without a problem and if you take the ride easy you will be ok

[Benno]

Well I plan on travelling 10,000 miles on my YBR125 next summer so I should hope it can do 100 miles at a time.

[johns]

a 125 will easy do 100 miles

[G]

Providing it's in good nick and the cooling system can cope, no reason you can't carry on for as long as you can get fuel to the engine.

If anything, I suspect it's 'better' for the engine to do miles like this than over multiple journeys as there's no cooling and thus contraction and then expansion of components in between.

[Cheeseybeaner]

[hellkat]

You can't guarantee any bike is not gonna break down/cut out or cause any problems.

But you could do a hundred miles on a 125 easily. I can think of several directions I've gone 100 miles or so (round trip or otherwise) and I'm famous for RARELY going beyond the M25. Even I've done a few 100-milers.

My epic Fulham to Eastleigh and back ride (over a weekend) (73 miles each way), and I managed it, even in freezing fog, snow and black ice, and without the incorrect clothing.

I *did* slip over in the ice, twisted my forks, required someone to come out and fix them, waited several hours for that to happen, and then continued home, discovering halfway home that I had no headlight, but ... I did manage to do it, on my own (apart from the phone call to my mate Tigger who sent someone out to straighten my front end).

I think I also went from the West End to Mersea Island in the pissing down rain on a 125 one Friday night, although that's not 100 miles, but it felt like it ... and then I went back home to Fulham on Sunday afternoon.

Also I have gotten myself to the Bulldog Bash (Stratford upon Avon-ish) and back several times on a 125 without breaking down. I think thats pretty much a 100 mile run up and 100 miles back.

Also, as said, you technically *could* do it all in one go, if your tank has that sort of range (?) ... but its easier and much less stressful to just stop wherever you feel you need a fag, wee, coffee, whatever.
____________________
Not nearly as interesting in real life.

[pinkyfloyd]

I done the 250 miles from Birkenhead to Portsmouth on a 125 on L plates, so no motorways. I also got lost once or twice so my 250 mile route turned into around 300 miles.

And it was raining constantly. Bike survived better than I did.
____________________
illuminateTHEmind wrote: I am just more evolved than most of you guys... this allows me to pick of things quickly which would have normally taken the common man years to master
Hockeystorm65:.well there are childish arguments...there are very childish arguments.....there are really stupid childish arguments and now there are......Pinkfloyd arguments!
Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.

[The Shaggy D.A.]

My lodger and I had a day out to Cromer from Northampton (about 250 miles round trip) back when I had my XJ900 and he had an RXS100. We'd stop every hour or so, just to fill up and stretch our legs. It was a great little bike, didn't miss a beat, just kept running. As long as your bike isn't neglected, you'll probably find your arse gives up before the bike does.
____________________
Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

[cb1rocket]

900 miles over 4 days constantly, keeping the chain oiled and topping up the 2 stroke oil!

Any bike will cope, its how the bike been looked after, and serviced.

Honda H100S2 FTW!

If you don't service the bike, then the chain will become slack, greasing and oiling where it should be will wear out etc its all about maintenance!

[JoeDougieDoug...]

I've done 140 miles on my CBF 125 in one day before - Handled it EASY (despite the alarm getting so wet that it immobilised my bike... /facepalm) Just take it easy and you'll be fine
____________________
CBT Passed - 22 / 10 / 11 >> Theory Passed - 16 / 02 / 2012 >> Mod 1 Passed - 07 / 03 / 2012 >> Mod 2 Passed - 18 / 05 / 2012.

[Reid]

It's more your own ability than the bike's. It'll go for a hours without problem as long as it's not been completely neglected maintenance-wise. Your own ability to concentrate and function is the limiting factor really. The bike can help to a dehree based on riding position and comfortableness of the seat but if you can deal with that then the bike'll be fine.

Used to do two to three hour rides on my old CG no problem as long as I took ten at petrol stops to stretch my legs properly.

[Nick_Giles]

As others have said. Providing the machine is well serviced its you that will run out of steam (or petrol) long, long, long before the bike does.

Around last new year I did a 120 mile trip (god it was cold) on a 1996 CG. The thought that the bike would fail under me TBH never entered my head for a second. But then again it had never missed a beat since me purchasing it and I had no reason to think it would that day.

If you have not had a history of 'niggles' with your machine lubricate it, fuel it and just ride it.! ........... Oh and enjoy it.

I have an ER5 now and TBH I don't have the same confidence in its longevity reliability as I did with the CG. But then again there is a lot more to go wrong and I have not had it long enough to build that confidence in my own mind.


Nick.
____________________
Peter Cook: "I have learned from my mistakes, and I am sure I can repeat them exactly".

[GrumpyGuts]

You look after her, she'll look after you. Put it that way
____________________
My Bikes: Lifan Beat 125cc '11 -> Suzuki B120P '76 -> Suzuki EN 125-2A '08 -> Honda CG 125 '04 -> Honda CB600F Hornet '98 -> Kawasaki ZZR 600 '99 -> Kawasaki GPZ 500S '95 (Current)
Theory test passed - 09/02/2012 >>>> Module 1 passed 24/07/2012 >>>> Module 2 passed 24/10/2012

[Kickstart]

Hi

Just don't hold it flat out and it will probably be fine.

All the best

Keith
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[stevo as b4]

It's definatley a maintainence issue and also a mileage and wear and tear issue. I don't buy the don't ride or drive something flat out at full throttle for more than a few mins etc, as it think it makes no difference at all. Plenty of people do though, and it's often debated on bike and car forums, especially with regard to modified or performance vehicles.

You SC125 is almost the same as a Derbi GPR125 i presume?

The two biggest things you need to worry about then IMO is, not running out of two stroke oil, and making sure that you keep on top of maintainence etc. Check the cooling level at least weekly, and the gearbox oil etc. Also id be checking the oil pump synchronisation regulary.

Also the other big thing with a performance 2stroke is mileage. There will come a suggested time for a top end inspection and overhaul, and you should be doing that before the scheduled time rarther than later.

A mate of mine used to ride 45miles each way to work from Bromsgrove to Southam on a CG125. He used to take the M40 more often than not and regulary used to see 75mph on the long downhill sections of M40/42. The bike lasted well, but i think it was sediment in the sump from not cleaning out the oil filter properly that finally damaged the LHS main bearing, causing a vibration and a noisy tickover. This was at about 42'000m though, so i had respect for that engine!

[Kickstart]

[sidewinder]

Done a few trips from midwales down to newquay cornwall on a varadero a few times last year.All i did was take regular brakes to let the bike cool down a bit. mileage was roughly 266 miles each way.no problems at all

[Nai]

Done a few long runs (mostly A roads, not above 60). Just stopped every 120'ish miles for a refuel and grabbed a coffee and gave the bike a rest for a bit.

The bike has a range of 180ish mile, but figured I didnt want to run the tank dry and get stuck a long way from home. The bikes also very comfy, so had no sore back or anything.

[stevo as b4]

Speeds wise i would agree, i've never held much over 80-85mph on any u.k roads really.

I can see there is a world of difference between a CG125 and a 2stroke sports bike too, but look at a 125cc race bike, they are held flat out whenever possible probably for 75% of a lap on many tracks, for a fairly long time. A 125MX bike covered in mud again is ridden pretty much flat out for the duration of a race etc. Both not great examples i know.

But if an engine's cooling and lubrication system is designed with sufficiant capacity to remove enough heat from the engine at high revs under load, then i don't see it being a strain on the engine. I agree that 125's are small enough to use all of the power for alot of the time, but i think the same applies to any bike or car if it's a CG125 or a ZX10R etc.

Some engines have marginal cooling and lubrication systems from the factory, and in many cases it is where an old or existing engine design is stretched as far as it can be to increase capacity and performance. (an example might be a GPZ305, or a 200 version of a trailie like the KMX, where it still has a single rad and just 1.3L of coolant for a system that was originally designed for 75cc less).

It's the same with cars though. I remember reading on a Nissan forum when a guy was asking about doing a top speed run in a 200SX, that people were saying that he shouldn't hold full throttle for more than a minuite or so as the engine would get too hot and detonate etc. Alot of people have the same views with tuned car's especially anything turbocharged.

I've never heard people say the same things at a TOTB or a Straightliners event however!

[johns]

my bike as been to Sheffield ad bk ad the nxt trip is to scarborough on L plats it will do it wivout a problem

[fozzym]

ok so a 2 stroke machince is very different to a 4 stroke. You could probably ride a 4 stoke all day every day with little to no maintenance (see all the london couriers)

A 2 stoke (especially sports) is alot more highly strung and need much more looking after. They tend to throw piston rings for fun for starters.
That being said if you ride sensible and keep the bike very well maintained using good quality 2 stroke oil then you should be fine for any journey.

I commuted for a 2 years first on a 2 stroke 50cc and then on a 2 stroke 125cc...you just have to look after them.