Newer, bigger, and cleaner four-stroke engine scooters and motorbikes are revolutionising the way Bermudians travel.

Models such as the Honda Shadow and the Peugeot Elyseo are becoming a common sight on the Island's roads. But will the revolution succeed?

"When the news first broke that they were going to ban two-strokes, a lot of people said oh my gracious," said Five Star Motors manager Lionel Burt. But as people see the quality of the four-strokes coming in, they are getting more excited," he said.

One of the models that seems to be causing some excitement is the Renault 125cc Fulltime - a bike with a roof over your head.

"We call it the two-wheel convertible," said Richard Davidge, president and owner of Eurosport Ltd., the Bermuda supplier for Fulltimes. "We just bought them in," he continued. "One is on the road, the other two are sold, but not on the road yet."

The point of the roof, he said, is to provide protection from the elements. "In Europe, Italy and France where they are very popular, they don't have this warm weather with the sun shining on you," he said.

A test ride by The Royal Gazette confirms that the bike does seem to deflect a lot of cold air. But if a gust of wind blows in the right direction, it can catch in the roof and shake up a ride.

The lowered seat and heaviness of the bike help to counteract the effect of wind against the roof, but the effect is still noticeable.

"The reason we decided to bring them in is the one car per household rule," said Mr. Davidge. "The executive is on a bike while the wife has the car. This will keep you out of the elements, protect you a lot more."

When asked if he was concerned that the bike would not fit into bike parking bays, Mr. Davidge replied: "No - if you put it on the stand, it shouldn't be a problem. If you put it on the kickstand that's different, but if you put 100 cc's on the kickstand now they don't fit either.

"Lengthwise this one is not a lot longer than regular bikes."

The bike also comes equipped with a stereo, windshield wipers, and kickstand which automatically turns the bike off if it is lowered. The roof can be lowered and folded into the truck, which is spacious enough to hold two bags of groceries when the roof is up, said Mr. Davidge.

Such a bike would not have been possible to own in Bermuda before the passing of legislation changing Bermuda's emission laws. Two-stroke 50cc bikes will be banned by December 31, 2004, and bikes complying with Bermuda's 100cc restrictions are few and far between.

"So," explained Mr. Burt, "we can now go up to 150cc. The whole world seems to be going four-stroke engines anyway - with boats and everything. It should be great over the course of time."

General Manager/Vice President of Oleander Cycles Geoffrey Gibbons was more guarded. Although excitement as the bikes came in seemed to be high, he said he was more concerned about when the same bikes start to break down. "The two-stroke engine was very simple, whereas the four-stroke engine is very complicated," he explained.

The higher technical expertise needed to work with a four-stroke engine was also seen as a plus by Mr. Burt, however. He reasoned that this, along with the heaviness of the bikes, would help deter theft. "Two guys trying to push one of those away would (soon) be worn out," he said.