what do you think is better 2stroke or 4 stroke on dirt bikes?

Answer 1

If we're talking about playbikes, trailbikes, beginer bikes, ect, the above posters are close to being right.

If we're talking race bikes, most of them are, well, clueless.

The new generation Racing Four Stroke (RFS) bikes are high revving, fast wearing, maintainence intensive bikes that require the rider/wrench to stay on top of the beast mechanically, and put a hurting on your pocketbook everytime you need parts for it.

The 10,000 + rpm engines eat valves and valve seats on a regular basis & piston wear is an issue due to the skirtless design. Some are even having big end rod bearing failure issues that grenade the whole engine when they let go.

Emissions friendly? Give me a break. There are very few stock RFS bikes being raced or riden, most have aftermarket exhausts and richer jetting to compensate for the pipe change. At that point all bets are off boys. That engine is far more dirty than any well tuned two stroke. Remember, four strokes like to be rich, on a 2 stroke lean is mean...

KTM, Gas Gas and Yamaha have committed to the 2 stroke for the foreseeable future, Suzuki and Kawasaki are waiting to see what sales numbers do before committing one way or the other. Don't kid yourself, sales are what's driving this 'revolution', so if the two stroke does disappear we have no one to blame but ourselves. See, there is an exemption to the EPA/CARB rules for closed course use only machines. So race bikes don't have to be compliant.

So, to answer your question, I prefer the 2 stroke. More nimble, less rotating mass, easier and less maintaince, cheaper to rebuild. I've got two of those thumping 'diesel' pigs and will not have another.

Answer 2

The 2-Stroke is a great bike and I believe that most racers would still ride them if the manufacturers where not pushing the 4-stroke.

For the average joe the 4-stroke is easier and therefore faster, however I believe a good rider on a 2-stock is faster than a good rider on a 4-stroke.

I always here ‘The maintenance is higher on 2-strakes’. This is true, but when your 4-stroke comes to the shop for repair it will make up the difference fast. The four strokes have valves and therefore are relatively expensive to repair compared to a new top end of a 2-stroke.

Despite my opinion the government and manufacturers are making the 4-stroke the future of MX.

Answer 3

Well you can't really compare a 2 stroke race bike to a 4 stroke trail bike. 2 strokes are a blast to ride, but unfortunately you just can't win races on a 2 stroke and that's the bottom line. Unless you're still a mini rider that is. People always make the comment that 2 strokes make more power per cc, but that is only sort of true. They make more peak HP, but 4 stroke race bikes make more usable HP which is what really matters on the track and is why 4 strokes dominate racing these days.

Answer 4

the 2 stroke all the way. makes more power, and when you rebuild it you can do for a little money ($75 to $200) when a 4 stroke needs it, it cost much much more ($400 to $2000) that a lot of 2 stroke rebuilds for the that much money. and remember it still takes twice the size motor of a 4 stroke to keep up with a 2 stroke.

Answer 5

ok the fourstroke is better for many reasons they are faster they have the low end power for coming out of corners and about the emissions have you looked at whats coming out of a tailpipe of a two stroke? they burn oil they are gonna smoke way more than a thumper no matter how rich the fourstroke is. racers PREFER the four stroke because its faster and has power from the low end all the way to the top. it is not forced down their throats as many twostroke riders claim. i myself am an enduro racer and fourstrokes dominate the podium and the line up...and half of them dont need mods to get there....my xr250 can keep up with 250cc and even 500cc twostrokes because they dont cut it in the tight track i may be out powered in the straight aways but once we hit the tight track i go right by them. and all you two strokers need to take your bike and race it against your fourstroke counterpart and see the difference.. it will work better if both bikes are stock because not all riders can afford upgrades

Answer 6

Let me put it this way, soon you won't even have the option of buying a 2 stroke dirt bike. There is probably only a couple pro-racers who still ride 2 strokes and most of the Japanese companies won't be producing them after 2007/2008.
2 strokes are more polluting, loud and labor intensive to maintain then 4 stroke engines.

Answer 7

Both would be a good choice for any riding. One thing you will find is 2 strokes require more mantenance and a overhaul every once an a while. while 4 stroke requires little maintanance and will last a long time on the original parts.

Answer 8

4 stroke is cleaner but don't you get more torque from a 2 stroke? It all depends on what you want. I would go with the 4 stroke for environments sake.

Answer 9

4 stroke is almost maintenance free as the 2 cycle will burn up rings and cost you a fortune for rebuilds

Answer 10

different strokes for different folks as the saying goes!