Why a 2-stroke?

[Back2Braaap]

Seems like an obvious question and probably will be to most of you. I don't want to open a negative approach to 4's, but just to understand why you ride a 2-stroke.

 

Positives

• Braaaap factor, because they kiss ass
• Easier to maintain/service, easier to work on
• More cost effective/cheaper to maintain
• On demand power
• Lighter/Maneuverability (less rotating mass)
• Smell of pre-mix

 

And the negatives

• Have to pre-mix
• Burns fuel faster
• Engine braking
• Less torque (comparitive)
• You will have to do most the work on your bike (since you'll feel like a retard if you don't)

What are your experiences..?

 

Edited to add the great feedback

Edited October 27, 2014 by TukTuk

[borgwarner]

Pro:

Much cheaper !

Super easy to maintain

A lot less rotating mass, which results in lighter handling

Edited October 27, 2014 by borgwarner

[Behubert]

I loved my crf450x....then I had to rebuild the top end. That was expensive. Too expensive so I traded it for a yz250. I miss the sound, torque and engine braking, but not the weight, handling, and crippling expense of maintenance.

Edited October 27, 2014 by Behubert

[Trailryder42]

Until 2013 I'd ridden my XR400 for 13 years. Great bike, but just getting too heavy to continue to throw around on the kind of trails I still want to enjoy. I'm 57 and thought a lighter 2 stroke would allow me that, so bought a new KTM300. Rode it for a year then put a Rekluse in it. Its a fantastic old man bike. I can ride it lazily or wick it up.

[LovingOffroadPain]

I've never owned a stroker because of my upbringing, and the expense.  Also I love technical riding, and the 4t heats up too much riding super slow terrain. 

 

Plus 2 strokes handle better, though the 4t counterparts are becoming better and better.  You almost don't feel the extra weight on a four stroke until you have to pick the bike off the ground (according to a new four stroke convert friend of mine). 

[Dumb_Fee]

Pros:

 

Easier to work on

Cheaper to work on

Lighter

Pre Mix smells good

Handling (for the most part.....depends who you talk to)

Better smiles : miles ratio  ?

 

Cons:

 

I guess you gotta mix gas 

You will have to do most the work on your bike (since you'll feel like a retard if you don't)

Handling (depends who you talk to)

[suzuki son of a bitch]

Seems like an obvious question and probably will be to most of you. I don't want to open a negative approach to 4's, but just to understand why you ride a 2-stroke.

Positives

• Easier to maintain/service
• More cost effective to maintain
• On demand power
• Lighter/Maneuverability

And the negatives

• Have to pre-mix
• Burns fuel faster

What are your experiences..?

because they kick ass

[tye1138]

Let's compare my 2 bikes… KTM 144SX and 250SXF 

 

144SX: 

- Ultralight weight (197lb dry) 

- Easy to maintain/service 

- Shorter intervals between service (50 - 60hrs max vs 100hrs on 250SXF)

- Immediate power delivery

- 1 power pulse per cycle = less grippy rear traction 

- Less reciprocating mass = more twitchy to ride 

- No engine breaking = entering corners faster is much easier 

- Cheaper to purchase new or used 

- Cheaper parts all the way around 

- More technical data available for tuning/easier to tune 

 

EFI 250SXF: 

- Heavier (232lb dry) 

- Extremely difficult to maintain for the average person 

- Longer service intervals (100hrs vs 50 - 60 on the 144SX) 

- Slower power delivery

- 1 power pulse per 2 cycles = more grippy rear traction 

- More reciprocating mass = more stable to ride 

- Substantial engine breaking = much more difficult to maintain speed entering corners 

- More expensive to buy new or used

- More expensive parts all the way around

- Less technical data available for tuning/very difficult to almost impossible to tune properly without specialized tools 

 

Really truthfully, there are many pro's to modern EFI 4 strokes: 

 

- Better rear grip

- More reciprocating mass = more stable to ride 

- More weight over the front end = better front traction 

- Better, more accurate fueling and substantially smoother power delivery 

[spiraling]

I love two strokes.  My biggest complaint is the cost of premix really drives up the cost of ownership if you ride a lot. 

[suzuki son of a bitch]

I love two strokes. My biggest complaint is the cost of premix really drives up the cost of ownership if you ride a lot.

i feel bad for the people's wallets who ride alot and use maxima k2 oil.

[motonack]

Positives

• Braaaap factor, because they kiss ass (they kiss ass?)
• Easier to maintain/service, easier to work on (definitely)
• More cost effective/cheaper to maintain (definitely)
• On demand power (Wouldnt 4 strokes be considered more on demand power?)
• Lighter/Maneuverability (less rotating mass) (Sure)
• Smell of pre-mix (If youre into breathing dead organisms [lol])

And the negatives

• Have to pre-mix (Takes 2 minutes)
• Burns fuel faster (Bigger tank)
• Engine braking (Can be a good or bad thing)
• Less torque (comparitive)
• You will have to do most the work on your bike (since you'll feel like a retard if you don't)

[SeanM327]

I'm suffering the same dilemma. I like the 4 stroke power delivery and stability. I had a few 125s when I was younger. Although I haven't had any serious problems with my 250f, I feel like it's only a matter of time until these electronics fail. So I would like the simplicity of a 2 stroke and the cost savings. However, I would change oil just as often in either bike, if I do one piston a year in my 4 stroke and two in a 2 stroke, am I really saving money? I own a ktm haven't had to do valves yet. Plus I've never been really good at tuning carbs and I know nothing about the power valve. I come to this forum once in awhile to see what kind of problems exist with the 250sx's and how to fix or tune them.

I want a "Do All" bike because I mostly ride moto but I like trail riding and hare scrambles also. The 250sx and 350sxf are my choices. If I could find a good deal on say a 2012 250sx that needs a rebuild I'd snatch it up for the learning experience and to test the waters. But I can't really afford to sink 3k into a bike I might not like.

[WALKINGWOUNDED]

Chessire Cat factor at the checker.

 

Plus all the above mentions.  

[inthedirtagain]

Because I could by a 300EXC for only $500 from a complete stranger on Craigslist.......Im not stupid.

[suzuki son of a bitch]

Because I could by a 300EXC for only $500 from a complete stranger on Craigslist.......Im not stupid.

is the motor blown

[inthedirtagain]

Nope....had a fresh top end hitting 175# of compression. Not bad for a 96. Needed a rear tire and carb cleaning. Spit-shined the plastics and the end result was more than satisfying.

Edited October 31, 2014 by inthedirtagain

[luckyguy19]

I love two strokes.  My biggest complaint is the cost of premix really drives up the cost of ownership if you ride a lot. 

Just an FYI, you can get gallons of Motul 800 for $60 shipped on Amazon.  Cuts cost quite a bit. 

[Betarocker]

There are benefits to each; it really comes down to the use. 

[Kawracr 173]

For me 2t are less finicky. Compression, air, fuel, and spark. 4 stroke. valves, compression, air, fuel, spark, accelerator pump. Efi eliminates some of that. Leak down tests. I'm sure there are some other pros and cons but 2 strokes just have fewer things to worry about/adjust.

[bdog325]

Torque wise, I think they have plenty and then some more. I can go anywhere and even faster on a 2stroke that a four stroke.

One of the things I look for on bikes are weight. The less weight you have the better (to a extent) since they are so flickable. There were a few times that I lost it but corrected my self on a 2t. I would not be able to correct it on a 4t because of the weight and momentum