Suck.

In the old days 2 strokes we the racey bikes and 4 strokes were smooth and relaxed, but slow and weak.

2 strokes are still screamy, high revving, smelly, noisy, unreliable engines.

But if you ride bikes an engine capacity of under 250cc (or even some old 250s for that matter) you will probably be riding on a CBT. For yanks, a CBT is what you do in Britain that lets you ride a lightweight motorcycle on the road.

If you ride on a CBT you will be restricted to ride a 125cc that is supposed to be designed to stay under 100mph, with a maximum horsepower of 14.7 (11kw).

So if you ride a 125cc, if you buy a cheap crosser of some pile of junk you'll probably wind up with a 10 hp or less engine, but if you spend any decent amount of money you'll probably be aiming for a 14.6 horsepower bike, then maybe de-restrict it (tut tut). I haven't had my 125 tested but I think its probably about 16hp now.

I'm not going to waffle on about how they work. Mainly cause I don't fully know.

I digress - you will have to pick either a 2 stroke or 4 stroke bike. You used to have to pick between power (2 strokes) and reliability&comfort (4 stroke). Now the 4 strokes are as fast as the 2 strokes. So you have to pick between a noisy, uncomfortable, unrealiable bike and a smooth, realiable, comfortable piece of kit with no price difference.

 If you want a 4 stroke 125 sports bike, look at honda CBR, Hyosung GTR, Kaiser XTR, Superbyke RBP, Lifan LF-30 (Samurai), yamaha YZF-R125.

If you must have a 2 stroke bike, Aprilia make one, Cagiva Mito Evolution isn't too bad either.

I ride a Hyosung GT125R '08 plate. Its got a 75 degree v-twin with 8-valves and a double overhead cam. Very smooth, comfortable. I've done a 360-mile trip before without falling out with it.