I am new to this stuff so please excuse the dumb questions. I notice ATK and CCM along with a few others use Rotax enigines.

What is the difference between a Rotax and a conventional 4 stroke? What is the advantage or disadvantage? Do Rotax need more maintiance?
Craig

Rotax is a company. They supply engines for other companies. They have a long list of bikes made with their engines. They were very popular with the flattrack racers.

The new water-cooled multi-valve engines are making them dated.

Pretty much, rotax is just a bombardier brand engine. They have been making airplane motors for a long time and are pretty much the most reliable motor you could want. Also make shitloads of power. Nothing particularly special except that they are made in north america but arent crap, just a normal old fourstroke otherwise. Advantages, super reliable and built here, not in asia. Disadvantages, none. Easy to find parts too, they are manufactured in Quebec, Canada. BTW, rotax 2-smokes are in all skidoo snowmobiles since forever, not like bombardier is a new company. Hope this helps, JR

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Rotax are 2 valve torque monsters.

AMA just supplied new rules for the Short trackers and such. Up to 450cc Multi Valve or 505cc two valve. So much so that the frames also are very limited on modificatiuons for the new MX Short Trackers.

Rotax makes 4 valve motors too, like the 650 in the DS650 quads, liquid cooled too.

Think of Rotaxes as the 'GM small-block' of bike motors...a great platform to start with. Yes, they are dated but very potent and bulletproof. What the modern 4-strokes have in technology, Rotax already has in its pedigree. It's still the choice for many. Check out www.rotax.net

Great responses! Thank you very much.
Craig