Touring on a 100cc 2-stroke?

[Arfdog]

Has anyone done much in the way of mega-long rides on really small bikes?

I've been thinking about this since reading TheDonUK's threads on touring. I have a RXS100 and would love to go on some lengthy rides around the country. Top speed is 70mph, so I have to avoid motorways.

Ok I can imagine I'll need to keep warm somehow, being faring-less even at low speeds. And I better take some tools lest the engine takes offence to being red-lined for hours on end.

I'd love to hear about what touring experiences you've had on small bikes, particularly RXS100's!

Arf
____________________
I'm a lover, not a fighter.

[JonB]

Being a 2 stroke you will have to have several rests, don't want the engine being laboured for too long.

Also make sure you keep on top of the engine, probably quite liable to blow on a long journey.
____________________
Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it?s worth.

[TheShaggyDA]

What do you consider mega-long, and will you be camping or B&Bing?
____________________
Current: CB500 Previous: CB100N, CB250RS, XJ900F, GT550, GPZ750R/1000RX, AJS M16, R100RT, Enfield Bullet

[i:6e3bfc7581]But still I fear and still I dare not laugh at the madman...[/i:6e3bfc7581]

[Arfdog]

I think probably not camping (don't feel like lugging a big tent), but would almost certainly stay with friends or in a B+B.

Length of ride? Medway to Devon, or Norwich, maybe even south Wales, so 300 to 500 miles each way.
____________________
I'm a lover, not a fighter.

[chris___]

Go for it mate, it'll be fine, just make sure you have plenty of rests And take some two stroke oil with you.

Ive got an RXS and I love it! Havent been that distance on, done about 200 miles in a day before with no problem. I even ride it two up with the GF on the back sometimes All though that isnt the most fun Ive ever had on a bike I must admit, the hills were, errm, challenging to say the least!
____________________
Yamaha rxs100 > Kawasaki ZZR600 > Kawasaki ZX6R > Honda Hornet 600 > Honda Bros 400 > Suzuki SV650S K2
Bikepics page

[yambabe]

I used to go to Anglesey (about 110 miles) or Caernarvon (about 130 miles) on my H100 fairly regularly, usually we would go Saturday morning and come back Sunday afternoon. This would generally be about once a month in the summer.

Not quite the scale you are looking at, but my bike always coped well with the journey. I used to fill up with 2-stroke and get the OH to check my chain, levels and tyres before we set off, each way we would have at least one stop sometimes 2, and most of it was easy cruising on the A55 at about 60.

I always carried my AA card just in case, but never actually needed to use it.
____________________
Sod falling in love, I wanna fall in chocolate.

[Al]

Yeah go for it

I toured round New Zealand with 2 mates all on 50cc 2 stroke scooters. We carried all our gear with us aswell, 2 tents,roll mats, 60 LT backpacks, maps, ect

We didn't really have a time scale to meet so we just did as many miles as we wanted each day. I think the most we covered was about 200 in a day.
The scooters didn't seem to mind being flat out(35mph ) for hours on end.
Just take plety of 2 stroke oil, plan your route well(its annoying having to back track 20 miles on a slowish bike)
Might not be a problem over here, but in New Zealand our fuel tanks were too small to get us from garage to garage in some parts of the south island of NZ, so we had to carry extra fuel aswell.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/big_al/2005-2006/P9280234.jpg
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/big_al/2005-2006/PC180420.jpg
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/big_al/2005-2006/PA130319.jpg

Saw some really nice scenery aswell that I may have missed on a coach tour or in a car.

____________________
Yamaha FZR400RR 3tj
My Instagram Thingy

[stinkwheel]

Go for it, the RXS will cope. I have mates who have done serious mileage in their H100s. One mate used to run his up and down the A9 between Edinburgh and Nairn on a regular basis.

As has been said, keep an eye on the oil level and carry a spare plug. It might be worthwhile bunging a slightly cooler plug in if you're doing protracted flat-out runs. If it has points, take a feeler guage and screwdriver with you, these smaller bikes sometimes close up the points gap after doing a fair distance.

[Serendipity]

No worries on points, the RXS is electronic all the way!

I’ve done some fairly large distances on mine, but not for a few years. I now find the bike pretty uncomfortable even over fairly short distances. I doubt that I could do a whole tank without a rest. Possibly just that I’m getting old, but mostly just that I’m used to plusher seats these days.

I’ve toured on the RXS100 with and without camping gear. Loads of luggage made the handling a bit terrifying, but if you’re thinking of B&Bs just pack light and have fun. Dual carriageways are a drag and fast, busy A roads are just lethal if you can’t maintain a steady 60mph.

I used to regularly go camping in Wales and my longest run was London to Newcastle just stopping for fuel.

Weather protection is non existent so cold and rain will quickly penetrate even pretty sturdy riding gear. Dry weather and temperatures over 14 degrees highly recommended.

So yes it’s possible and you will have fun especially on quieter B roads, but touring is much more enjoyable when you’re not limited in any way by the bike. Something with a bit more poke, a less frantic engine, a bigger, wider seat and some sort of fairing will improve the experience.
____________________
2016 CBF1000F - Commuter heaven | 1994 CBR600FR - Awaiting defibrillation

[Nath]

[Arfdog]

Beautiful pics, Nath and Al...

I am now inspired. Bring on the good weather!!
____________________
I'm a lover, not a fighter.

[mark83]

This is less relevant in terms of engine size, but I did tour on a naked bike which meant that I was the one having the harder time, not the bike!

Headaches, windblast, French Police, etc.

Was it worth it?

I'll let you judge from the pictures......

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=97828
____________________
Kawasaki ER6n -> Honda CBR600RR -> Honda VTR 1000 -> Moto Guzzi Norge 1200
Buy my Mercedes 350 Sport AMG Evo

[bish777]

I did hefty mileages on my 125. Exhausting mainly as its so slow and the thing struggled with hilly terrain.

carefully picking your route and taking frequent breaks are essential.
____________________
GSXR1100J

[chris-red]

Good luck mate, I still have an rxs in my garage at home. I love it great bike. I actually got a fairing for that bike I never got round to fitting it though.
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[scoota bk]

Me and my mate Jake were away for 4 nights on our 125s in the summer, this year we're gonna do more trips and longer aswell! Was great fun, well better than it would've been in a car etc


Posted pics up in the scotland section on here but since you have to register to see them I'll link you to the thread on another forum.... https://scooterworld.ryan-serv.co.uk/forum/main/viewtopic.php?t=13230

[Al]

Thats not accually me..
I was the taking the pic, obviously I was wearing full leathers,armour,ect
____________________
Yamaha FZR400RR 3tj
My Instagram Thingy

[shleppy]

im well up for a 100cc two stroke tour in summer. if your still interested or anyone else, i wanna test my rxs100.

bring it on.

'ride of the two strokes'!

[stinkwheel]

Here's a picture of my H100 off to a rally. Not as far as you're proposing to go but hell, I have the picture so I'll show you it. See, oxford sports luggage fits on it fine.

[Tarmacsurfer]

Went from Reading to the Isle of Wight on an H100SII, two up with rally gear. Only a hundred or so miles, but that was an interesting trip

Great rally, and the added bonus of watching a somewhat cocky pillion fall off the back of a mates BMW, they were filtering just after we'd left the ferry and as they passed a car the dog in the back stuck it's head out of the window into the pillions face and let loose with an almighty "WUFF!", cue me braking hard (well, as hard as you an with twin drums) and trying not to drop the top heavy H100 as Martin skidded along a foot or two on his arse. Had literally jumped off the seat of the beemer in suprise.
____________________
I'm immortal. Well, so far.

[Johnny GSX-R]

Personally i wouldn't attempt it.......BUT.... massive to those who do it and have done it.

Nath, you get 'Johnny's deepest respect for your mission. Your bike looks well used and ready for battle.

My old fella toured the whole UK on a bog seat (C70 Honda) and has done the Arctic circle twice on a CB500, the whole of Europe, Poland, a bit of Russia blah blah blah..
I'm truly envious, i simply don't and can't get the time to do it.

[killa]

Yeah go for it Arfdog, i didnt have so much on i'd come with you on my RXS.
As mentioned above, take, 2 stroke, spare plug and a set of tools for all the usuall stuff.
If going up and down hills for long periods of time, watch your drum brakes, they wont last forever. You'll learn to take your time and enjoy the ride...oh and if you are touring, why the hell would you need long straight motorways, head for the A & B roads!

Good luck chief, and PM me if you need anything.

p.s you can come stay at my yard in Cheltenham if you want, the cotwolds are great.
____________________
Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult.
Bike:- Yamaha TRX850 | Killas Biking History | Killas Gaming History | Killas autmotive history

[thx1138]

never tried it on a 2stroke, done plenty of miles on a cg-125

[Jack_Cheese]

Cagiva planet - 240 miles in a day, never missed a beat. Nobody was more suprised than me that it didn't break down.

My only piece of advice, is don't wear 2-pairs of pants. The inner pair will ride up, and your bollockswill end up socialising with your spleen. It really isn't comfy.

Jack
____________________
www.bikepics.com/members/jackcheese <--- NOW FOR SALE! 51 Plate Cagiva Planet 125
Quacker_boy: "Jack, you really are a dick!"

[stinkwheel]

[Blau Zedong]

An RXS is one of the simplest most robust strokers out there. CDI ignition etc . Check the oil pump setting before you start, change the gearbox oil, adjust the chain, new plug (carry a spare). Can't see you having too many problems.
____________________
18:54:48 Rob Fzs: jews don't give away stuff for free

18:54:59 Rob Fzs: unless its their clothes/ hair/ golden teeth