Why do people like 4 strokes better than 2 strokes?

Question

Because I always hear people talking about how they dont like mx bikes bc they are 2 strokes.. and im like well the mx is better then the off road ones.... so why do people like the 4 strokes better???????????????????????????

Answer 1

First off, your four stroke does not need to have oil mixed with the fuel like a two stroke. This is a major pain. Secondly, a two stroke needs lots more maintenance in the way of plugs, reed valves, valve jobs, shim and bucket adjustment, etc., than a four stroke. And most importantly, a four stroke like the H-D FXDWG TC-88 that I'm sitting on in my avatar pic will make much more torque than a two stroke. That's why you don't see any 88 cubic inch two strokes!

The two stroke is OK in it's place. Dirt bikes, scooters, etc. But to get the most bang for the buck (Not to mention do your part to help keep the air clean!) you need to go four stroke. Even the little outboard boat motors are going four stroke now since they are more fuel efficent and need less care and maintenance.

I'm sure dirt riders love their two strokes. And the scooter riders who get 100 MPG have no trouble getting back to their supply of gas and oil mix. But when you ride a bike daily to and from work, in all weather, you need reliability, no fuss fueling, and power to keep up with highway traffic. Not to mention the ability to carry groceries! (Ever see a two stroke with saddlebags and a tour pack!)

Good luck with your two stroke. Like they say, different strokes for different folks!

Answer 2

As usual there are many perspectives on this. 1) A 2 - stroke DI ( fuel injected model ) can be more efficient than most 4-strokes today. 2) Naturally aspirated ( carbed ) 2 -strokes are worse on the environment 3) 4-strokes you maintain like a car. Easy for oil changes, filter etc. But are very expensive for anything other than basic maintenance 4) Usually 4 -strokes are bigger and heavier but that may be good for wave riding and family stability 5) Most shops only service 4-strokes now. You will have to go to the secondary market like craigslist to find a 2-stroke mechanic. Can be cheaper but can be a rip off too. 6) If the oil injector fails on a 2-stroke you are toast = new engine or complete rebuild. Use the right oil. Good luck

Answer 3

To all the fools claiming 2 strokes are better, how do you explain Ricky Carmichael or Kevin Windhams' constant victories, or why is every supermotard bike a four stroke, or why do four strokes power THROUGH the whoops and bumpity-bumps like thery weren't even there while the cry-baby two-strokes ring-a-ding their way over them?

Four strokes have GOBS of torque, and can go for many years on the same spark plug, while two strokes need a re-build every six weeks... Paris-Dakar, anyone?

Answer 4

Lots of "perceived" problems and misinformation here.
I started out on several later model 2 strokes. They weren't actually "illegal" in 1976 but several states did outlaw them due to emmission concerns (Cali, Colorado, and a few others) so yes emmission concerns did eventually kill them, but can be made cleaner now if the market was there anymore. I had several Kawasaki 2 stroke triples, 400cc, 500cc, and the grand daddy of them all the 750 Mach4. None of my Kawi's had to have th oil mixed with the fuel, they had oil tanks and the oil went through a regulator pump and in to the fuel system itself and to the big-end bearings.
I disagree with the person who said no one would prefer a 2 stroke over a 4 stroke. I am tempted more and more to get another one, I think the 400 was actually the funnest of them all. But the 750 was awesomely wicked, but man did that thing smoke at WOT. I was usually at the tail end whenever I went for a ride, but I made it painfully clear (pun intended) that I was only there to be NICE, not because I couldn't pull in front whenever I pretty much pleased.
If you want to be socially acceptable, buy a 4 stroke, they are cleaner and more efficient. The 2 stroke will run almost forever with minimum of maintenance, hardly anything to do to them if you get the right one, choose carefully. I could get a tailgater off my butt right away, either lug it and smoke em away, or drop a couple gears and they get tiny in a hurry. LOVE the power band on the old critters, hit that sweet spot and it's bye-bye buddy. Handling and stopping? Just shut up......

Answer 5

No valves at all in a two stroke.Much higher RPM range,light weight[less moving parts]Perfect for dirt.But I was surprised a couple years back at Arenacross to hear the deep throaty sound of four's on the track.They did well,but two's are better off-road.Personal preference,I've ridden 2 strokes for 30+yrs.EPA outlawed 2's on road a long time ago,so I make do with my HD Ultraclassic on the street.But few things are as fun as the quick response of my kx250.

Answer 6

Primarily due to the noise and extra smoke that normally comes out of a 2 stroke, as well as the fact that they run better in the higher rpm ranges and dont have the lower rpm grunt that 4 strokes tend to have. 2 stroke engines sadly also tend to be more expensive to fix.
Good luck.

Answer 7

Fist the pollution from a 2 stroke, you have to rev hell out of them to obtain the power,they wear out quicker,are not very economical, you have to put oil and petrol in them and in some cases you have to mix the petrol and oil, but they also have some advantages too.they are wicked fast, have only 3 main components in the motor.
Four strokes have real good torque and pulling power without having to ring their neck, they sound better,and have a much longer life,depending on how they are treated and maintained, they are costlier to overhaul ,but don't need it so often ,which gets in more riding tI'me, im rooting for the 4 stroke.

Answer 8

Four strokes have a more pleasant sound (lower amplitude and frequency).

Most off-road bikes are two strokes because they are much lighter in weight, less costly and in many respects better suited to off roading.

Answer 9

I like 2 stroke for off road for the power dan instant power,but for on road the 4 stroke is better for the long haul and thay ride total different...Nothing like the wind in your face and haer

Answer 10

For street use? Probably because the last street legal 2-stroke in the US was made in 1976... when 2-stroke was outlawed for street use.

For offroad, you won't find a single human being that prefers 4-stroke to 2-stroke. Many will use 4 because it is cheaper, but a 2-stroke of comparable size is more tuneable, more powerful, and half the weight.