2-stroke vs 4-stroke commuter?

[meyrick]

Hello all,

I’ve been away for a while having sold my bike, but I have a new commute to deal with that demands some petrol power so out comes the CBT again

I have been out looking at bikes today and I am in a bit of a quandary. I saw a reasonably tidy Honda CG125, which is fine, for £1200 and an even tidier, newer Peugeot Elyseo 100 for a shade under a grand. As this machine is just for a daily commute to work, I don’t really care about style or speed, just a comfortable and reliable ride.

The Elyseo was doing very well (twist and go, reasonable fairing for weather protection, loads of ‘boot space’, built in lock and immobiliser), it seemed to ooze convenience. Then I got home and realised it’s a 2-stroke. This immediately made me think twice. I know the CG125 is up to the task, but what of the Elyseo? Will the 2-stroke engine give me grief or be a pain to maintain. What about Peugeots in general, are they reliable? I’d rather have the home comforts of the Elyseo, but if it’s going to break down on me I’d rather have the fool-proof reliability of the CG125.

Answers on a postcard please. Cheers!

Paul.

[Kickstart]

Hi

The CG is bullet proof. But not really anything more to worry about with a 2 stroke. Indeed they should require less servicing, just that most 2 strokes are high performance ones (try building a 125 4 stroke with the power of an RS125 and see how many hours between services it manages).

All the best

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

[meyrick]

Thanks for the insight on the 2-stroke build

Still pondering. Web reviews of similar Peugeots I have found are pretty varied. I may play it safe with the CG125 and stock up on fleecy undergarments when the weather chills.

[TheShaggyDA]

Aye, CG125, pop a top box and screen on.
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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]

[.Chris.]

You might find on a two stroke that the plug fouls up quite often if you're sitting in traffic a lot of the time and don't give the bike a good blast now and then.
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Chris
1985 Kawasaki Z550F

[colin1]

cg125 is old school cool for ppl into bikes

but i suspect the 2 stroke scooter is gonna be more nippy, quicker and useful on a commute, particularly if it has a disc brake on the front wheel

i like an auto on a commute

personnally, i think 4 stroke 125's (like the cg125) are underpowered for use on todays roads

i doubt the plugs will foul on that scooter, as its designed for sitting in traffic
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[meyrick]

Food for thought there Colin, thanks.

Well the CG125 is off the table altogether now. I have determined through vast quantities of web research that it is £200-£300 overpriced for the age and condition and there is something distinctly fishy about the feature set vs the date of registration. Something tells me the bike is a little older than the number plate is letting on.

I'm not exactly spoiled for choice now! Just wondering whether to hold out for something better. There really isn't a great deal about in this neck of the woods worth looking at.

[Dalemac]

[TheShaggyDA]

You're not going to make a 4 stroke as powerful as a 2 stroke, Kickstart was saying try making a 4 stroke 125 as powerful as an RS125, ie. make a 4 stroke 125 kick out 33bhp.
____________________
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]

[Dalemac]

Ohh...silly me....lol...

Thanks for clearin that up shaggy.
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YBR125 -> GPZ500S -> SL1000

[Kickstart]

Hi

Well, you might get it to high 20s hp (really what an early RS wil manage), but for that you have built an engine producing Moto GP levels of specific horse power. Expect Moto GP engine life.

All the best

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

[meyrick]

I decided to go with the Peugeot 2-stroke in the end, but I probably won't keep it for very long. Once I've got a job and some money coming in (facilitated by my new transport) I will take my test and get a Honda 250 of some description.

Many thanks to all for your input

Edit: Oh crickey! I just read about the new test coming in. I had better get a move on!

[Noxious89123]