kaisoku schedule/timtable

I am thinking about buying the Seishun 18 Kippu ticket with a friend. We are traveling from Tokyo to Kyoto and back. Is this a good idea?

Also, I am having difficulty finding a clear timetable for kaisoku trains, or the futsudensha/kakuekiteisha trains. Can anyone suggest a place to look at the timetable.
Thanks

Unless you are fond of railways, I recommend you
long-route overnight bus (which costs about 4 thousand yen)
for a cheap transportation between Tokyo and Kyoto.
Railway route by seishun 18 ticket would take about 8-10 hours,
and the time table planning and transferring is chaotically confusing for even those living in Japan.
(a bit of googling tells me it takes 6 times transferring for Tokyo-Kyoto route)

However, if you are fond of railway travelling,
it would be of much fun for you can enjoy the view from window all the way,
while the long-route bus takes highway which means
the view from window would be less enjoying.

You can search for railway route and transferring and have a look at time tables here
http://www.hyperdia.com/
(click English)