Why do people hate 4/2 strokes?

[malfunkti0n]

I've owned both. I currently own a 2001 CR250 and 2003 YZ125 (picked up today).

I do not like the four stroke MX bike. Engine braking (and breaking .. lol) is a joke. Valves are a joke. I had an 06 CRF450 and have ridden several other 4 stroke MX bikes. I just DO NOT enjoy riding on them. They feel like pigs, the power delivery is not exciting and it makes you a lazy rider. My 450 was boring most of the time. Put it in 3rd gear, twist the throttle, that was pretty much the thought process with it. You had to royally screw up to get that bike to bog down.

I don't like the costs associated with four strokes. I don't like what they have done to the used bike market. Most people don't have the slightest idea how to maintain them, so 70% of the used bikes out there are grenades with the pin dangling out. Not to mention the sound carries for a far greater distance than a 2t, and noise irritates people, thus the closure of tracks.

When it boils down to it, the 4 stroke has done NOTHING for this sport except make it too expensive for a lot of people to enjoy racing.

I just picked up a new top end kit (piston, rings, c-clips, wristpin, bearing and gaskets) for $126. On a four stroke, I would probably be replacing valves, having the seats cut (or buying a new head) and installing a new cam chain. It's too much complexity for no good reason. Just all of a sudden people think they need to ride a 4 stroke because the pro's do. It's a joke.

[desert-rat660]

ive never owned a 2 stroke and i dont care too, i dont find working on 4 strokes complex at all so u have a few extra moving parts, big deal. And why do u say 4 strokes have done nothing for the sport?

[_Brownie_]

I agree with malfunkti0n:

The first time I rode my friends 250f, I cased a few jumps untill I realized that you have to stay on the throttle all of the time. I'm too used to squaring up a corner with the rear brakes and dumping the clutch. I'm also sick of hearing the revv limiter constantly. Don't get me wrong, if I had another $4500-7000 I would gladly pick up a four poke but I just can't afford it and I couldn't sell my 2 smoke. ?

[xcape]

Why do people hate 4/2 strokes?

Cause there are 4 of them ??

[Old-Timer]

People who hate 4 strokes will bash them with pleasure.

People who hate 2 strokes think that thumpers rule.

I have both, so I like both.

Place a 2s with an equally sized 4s, and the thumper will always get smoked. That to me is what sizes 'em up.

I think Harleys are junk.

Will I ever buy one....hell no.

We all have our own likes/dislikes.

[Josh_dr-z125l]

i prefer 2 strokes, even though i ride 4 strokes...

2 strokes have more power, easier to replace top end on, etc...

BUT you have to mix gas/ they EAT spark plugs, use 2x as much gas and aren't as effecient, sound like dying cats

4 strokes have a lot of power, last longer, more popular (now at least), higher compression, pretty cool... more control over power... sound good

BUT they are harder to work on/less power, more popular, more complicated, more adjustments, etc.

the only real difference is that 4 strokes have "Traction Control"

[OrangeYZ]

I love low-end torque, tractable power, and also actually appreciate compression braking. That's why my primary dirt bike is a 200XC. Wait what? That can't be right! ? I guess I like light weight and easy starting more:p

I'm easy, I'll ride anything.

Get used stuff, then you can afford both.

[crf150f guy]

I've ridden an old cr125 and a '79 IT 175 and I didnt get to really open it up so I prefer 4 strokes since I have very little 2 stroke experience.

[cr85_supermini03]

i have both but I ride the 2 stroke because it simply takes more skill to ride fast also a fast rider on a 2 stroke is more impressive then a fast rider on a 4 stroke these days but if i have to ride in slick or sand the 4 stroke would be my first pick but for fun wise ill stick with the 2 smoker:thumbsup: ?

[thumperzonly]

haha I like em both but I am prolly a little faster on a 4 haha

[tjscott2012]

They eat spark plugs

a properly jetted 2t will most certainly never foul a plug. i ran a 2 year old spark plug in my bike for like 5 months and only replaced it because i wanted a different heat range. the reason people say this is because 2 strokes are harder to jet, meaning you will get it wrong more, meaning you will foul plugs

oh, and only the piston will last longer, but if you actually put a top end every once in awhile on both the two stroke will outlast it by alot. mainly because the valves will wear on the four stroke.

and i dont get why higher compression is an advantage? ?

not flaming you, just filling in some holes

[petrol punk]

Higher compression will make more hp more efficiently. A 2 stroke can't make much compression because it looses lots of it out the exhaust port and the fact that oil lowers the octane of the gas so it lowers the maximum safe compression. It would help if more 2 strokes started adapting oil sumps like 4 strokes and would help wear as all the parts would be getting proper lubrication and you wouldn't have to premix oil, more compression possible and you can just pull up to the pump. Downside would be that you couldn't run the engine upside down anymore though.

[off_road_4_me]

a properly jetted 2t will most certainly never foul a plug. i ran a 2 year old spark plug in my bike for like 5 months and only replaced it because i wanted a different heat range. the reason people say this is because 2 strokes are harder to jet, meaning you will get it wrong more, meaning you will foul plugs

oh, and only the piston will last longer, but if you actually put a top end every once in awhile on both the two stroke will outlast it by alot. mainly because the valves will wear on the four stroke.

and i dont get why higher compression is an advantage? ?

not flaming you, just filling in some holes

a modern 4stroke with a fcr is way harder to jet than a 2stroke.

Higher compression is an advantage because it burns more efficently, for the same reason when your bike starts to lose compression it also starts to lose performance.

[medic201]

I am another old guy. I like big 2 strokes because of the sound, the smell and the explosive power hit. They are what I associate with all the great moto-x racers. There is nothing wrong with 4 strokes. My friend rides an Al Baker built XR650 race bike. It is super fast and loud but it's not my style. Getting us as off roaders to divide is how the greenies can get riding areas shut down.

[sonobob]

? a properly jetted 2t will most certainly never foul a plug. i ran a 2 year old spark plug in my bike for like 5 months and only replaced it because i wanted a different heat range.

I agree. When I bought my '94 CR250 in '98, it would foul plugs, because it needed a new top end, new choke/idle tower for the carb, new crank seals and reeds. After replacing all that, it's never fouled a plug since. The only reason I now change plugs is just to put in a new one with a new top end...

[Josh_dr-z125l]

? a properly jetted 2t will most certainly never foul a plug.

Vibration, and firing 2x as much is harder on the wires inside the plug.the spark wears wires and can make a gap, or vibrate a wire and break it...

I just like to correct people that correct me... just a habit...

[sonobob]

Vibration, and firing 2x as much is harder on the wires inside the plug.the spark wears wires and can make a gap, or vibrate a wire and break it...

I just like to correct people that correct me... just a habit...

Oh, no doubt that plugs wear out. They definitely don't last forever...or even close to it. I can't speak for the other poster, but I was referring only to a two-stroke's tendency not to foul plugs when the carb is correctly jetted for the conditions...

[The Spanky]

Vibration, and firing 2x as much is harder on the wires inside the plug.the spark wears wires and can make a gap, or vibrate a wire and break it...

I just like to correct people that correct me... just a habit...

Well then let me correct you. A two-stroke's plug does not fire twice as often as a four-stroke. They both fire the plug at every TDC.

[tjscott2012]

even so, it is a solid fact a two stroke does not eat plugs if you jet it right

[The Spanky]

even so, it is a solid fact a two stroke does not eat plugs if you jet it right

Absolutely true. It's also a solid fact that four-strokes can and do foul plugs.