All my friends had 2 stroke 250 and were constanly clutching and clearing the carb, i was able to stay in the powerband more on the kx125 and was manouvering the trails better than the big bikes. For me, changing the oil and oil filter on a 4 stroke every 3rd ride is quick and easy and cheap. No matter what two bikes you choose, too may things were different to make it a legitimate comparison. How dirt bike engines work 2 stroke vs 4 stroke engine. As far as efficiency goes, the 4 stroke certainly wins. Ive been looking around on trademe at various modern dirt bikes, and ive seen that a lot of the 4 strokes are having top end rebuilds at relatively frequent intervals, and ive seen that some of the 2 strokes are going for a huge number of hours before needing a top end rebuild. Now, in this analysis article, i will divulge the main difference between 2 stroke and 4 stroke dirt bikes and the impact of choosing one over the other could have on your dirt biking adventure. Dec, 2016 21 common mistakes made with dirt bikes and how to avoid them duration. I did ride an older kx500 once after i rebuilt it for the owner. Because they are a lot easier to live with than a 2 s.
All i can say is wow it takes some balls to be able to hang on to a 500cc 2 stroke. The last 2 bikes ive ridden was a jr 80 and then eventually a ttr 125, both spectrums of the 2 and 4, but i always enjoyed the 2 more, granted i didnt get to enjoy the 4 as long as it. The only reason i could see someone being swayed to buy a 4 stroke is if they needed something as reliable as possible, which is difficult to counter with a china 2 stroke. The 4 stroke kits ive seen are bigger, heavier, and awkwardly wide. The yamaha yz250fx is among the best four stroke dirt bikes for trail riding available on the market.
May 02, 2016 general dirt bike 2 stroke vs 4 stroke. The pros of a 2 stroke vs a 4 stroke, according to some riders, include. In fact, it is easy to get yamaha yz250fx spare parts on amazon and other stores. Any modern 2 stroke enduro bike will lug around on trails all day using the bottom few rpm in its range and is unlikely to foul anything. If youve been around atvs, dirt bikes, or other small performance engines for any length of time. A 2 stroke engine makes more power than a 4 stroke engine if both are the same size. Back in the day, you know waaay back in the late 1990s and early 2000s, you would watch racers like ricky carmichael, jeremy mcgrath, and jeff emig and they all rode two strokes. Originally a 250cc 2 stroke had about the same power as a 500cc 4 stroke. Their power centers consist of only three main moving parts, the crankshaft, connecting rod and piston. This is due to the fact that fuel is consumed once every 4 strokes. With a 125 cc two stroke having the same power as a 250 cc four stroke, riders have to be ready to handle the kick along with the lightweight body of the two.
But then you jump back on a 2 stroke and remember how much fun the lighter weight, less gryoscropic forces, harder hitting engine is. Two stroke motorcycles dominated the motocross and supercross classes because of their high performance and light weight. Whats the difference between 2 stroke and 4 stroke dirt. The best way to ensure your dirt bike operates effectively and starts every time is to take the time and conduct routine maintenance. I currently ride a 250f thumper and thats where most of my experience comes from.
The 2 stroke bikes are lighter than the 4 stroke bikes. A bike intend for mx will likely be peakier than one intended for woods. One bike has a 250cc two stroke engine and one has a 250cc four stroke engine. As a personal observation, ive seen 2 stroke mbers that ride a kit bike with grimed up shoes because the exhaust pipe in the kit dumps its oily smoke almost directly onto your foot or feet. Jun 14, 2009 true a 2 stroke does require more maintenance and true a 4 stroke does have more moving parts but as stated previously a 2 stroke is working twice as hard, as well as head rebuilds quite often you will also be looking at engine rebuilds every 2 years or so if you wax it hard, you also need to get the two stroke oil mix right or your liable to seizure whereas my four stroke hasnt had a service. Both, if ridden properly, can be great bikes for the woods. Some of these differences have already been covered or explained so far. Is a 2stroke or 4stroke better for your first dirt bike. It has been rebuilt 1 time in 6 years and 4 of those 6 years i rode my bike almost every day 2025 miles. The four stroke is fuel injected, has a sixspeed gearbox and comes with an electric starter. There has been a divide between those that prefer 2 stroke outboards and those who prefer 4 stroke outboards. In enduros, i see a lot of both, the fast guys primarily like the 2 strokes. Typically, a 2 stroke engine creates more torque at a higher rpm, while a 4 stroke engine creates a higher torque at a lower.
We were able to get our hands on both 2019 yamaha 250s and put. They have a shorter life expectancy, are less costly, lighter, noisier and smokey. So the 2 stroke vs 4 stroke debate centers mostly around the application for which the engine is used. Okay, so its been over twenty years since doug henry catapulted the yamaha yzm400 four stroke dirt bike onto the forefront of the motocross scene, and yet the two stroke vs. Typically, the higher the cc, the more costly the dirt bike, which means fourstrokes can be more expensive. Two stroke engines do require more maintenance because they fire more and run hotter.
Now days a 250cc 2 stroke makes about the same power as a 350cc 4 stroke. But as stated above if you keep the 4 strokes in good maitnence with fresh oiloil filter and air filter it will last you quite awhile. Prox takes pride in being able to offer oem or better quality parts for a more affordable price. Preference of other riders picking whether 2 stroke vs 4 stroke dirt bikes comes down to a personal preference.
This article is going answer the question in more detail. Depending on the manufacturer, price points for both 2 stroke and 4 stroke dirt bike vary widely, with 2 strokes costing relatively less. Today and into the future, 2 stroke, 4 stroke, electric or diesel, the choice is all yours. We can certainly make arguments one way or the other and we could. Larger engines with a greater torque requirement at a lower rpm are usually 4 stroke. The yz250x is also based on an older mx bike a much older mx bike and it has. You have to rebuild the top end on a two stroke more often, granted its easier to do vs a 4 stroke. But regardless for a firsttimer the advice would be the same but more so for a used bike as your first ride. A 250 xc has a lot of good power, as do the newer 4 strokes.
A few years ago, we did a lot of two stroke versus 4 stroke theme stories. Two stroke maintenance is more intensive than the old school air cooled 4 strokes. Mar 16, 2017 20fastback kx500 powered crf250r 2 points 3 points 4 points 2 years ago there is a pretty good animation here of a tuned pipe. If you like the more manageable power curve on a 4 stroke, then that is for you. Lets blow the whistle on this latest 2 stroke vs 4 stroke dirt bike battle. Prox has connecting rods, bearings, clutch components, cables. Among dirt bikes and small performance engines, the 2 stroke atv has become one of the most admired vehicles by outdoors enthusiasts, hikers, and even bikers. Should i buy a 4 stroke or a 2 stroke dirt bike youtube. Jan 12, 2011 luckily, at amateur races, a 250cc stroke is legal to race in the same class as a 250cc four stroke, but the two stroke is not allowed to race against 250 fourstrokes at the ama pro level. There are a number of differences between 2 stroke vs 4 stroke dirt bike engines. Once you get past the valve train, the 4 strokes are basically the same as a 2 stroke. A 4 stroke feels just as fun as a 2 stroke when you first get on it. The first video is a two stroke vs four stroke minishootout vid that has two pro riders jason lawrence and travis baker taking turns on a 2t and a 4t, then offering their honest opinion about what they like and dont like about each bike. Best 4 stroke dirt bikes for trail riding about dirt bikes.
Modern 2 stroke dirt bike engines are akin to works of art, their magic lying in their simplicity. So are the modern, highly strung 4 strokes in need of frequent top end rebuilds. Ive riddin small 2 stroke bikes like a kx100 and bunch of 85s. Ok which dirt bike needs more maintenance, two or four stroke. I have a 600 ho sdi 2 stroke and i am considering upgrading to the 800r but im afraid of. I have hotrodded it with a high performance carb, a ported cylinder and nice phat exhaust. May 30, 2010 2 stroke or 4 stroke and how many ccs. Once upon a time there was a huge difference between the way a 4 stroke and a 2 stroke dirt bike performed. Hi all, im not a mechanic but i was wondering what makes a 4 stroke engine more reliable than a 2 stroke. Main difference in 2 stroke and 4 stroke bikes explained here. We can certainly make arguments one way or the other and we could be right or wrong depending on the situation. However, it has dramatically decreased in manufacturing due to concerns over engine performance and the rise of the four stroke vehicles.
While these are more similar to what we run in our 18th scale buggies and glow airplanes i believe the sonic wave does play a part in the dirtbikes pipe design also. Lets understand your question and write the answer accordingly. Personally i feel faster on a 2 stroke, just more comfortable in the corners. Back in the day, you know waaay back in the late 1990s and early 2000s, you would watch racers like ricky carmichael, jeremy mcgrath. But as stated above if you keep the 4 strokes in good maitnence with fresh oiloil filter and air filter it will. Apr 08, 2011 as it stands ive never seen a 4 stroke engine kit that has any real advantages over the russian design. The 2 stroke vs 4 stroke debate will live on longer than any of us will be alive. Worlds most powerful two stroke motorcycles meet at high stakes drag bike race full 2 stroke race. So, heres the comparison chart for you people by which you can get a more clear idea about the difference in the 2 and 4 stroke engines of the dirt bikes because i have mentioned here, a lot of things about both of these engines which will highlight all the aspects of two and four stroke engines. Maintenance is probably a wash between a two stroke and a modern mx 4 stroke, but if the modern 4t bike breaks catostrophically, expect to pay a lot more to fix it. In fact, there are very few low cc four stroke engine dirt bikes on the market. We were able to get our hands on both 2019 yamaha 250s and put them head to head to figure out which one was king. Motocross 2 stroke dirt bikes for sale in australia. I wieghed about 185 then and the 125 toted me good.
My question is for someone trying to get back into trail and hill riding, and kind of on a smaller budget looking for bikes from the early 2000s worth. Ill start with the basics, explain how these engines work and then cover the finer details. Both two stroke and four stroke engines require their own specially formulated oil that acts to lubricate different parts of the engine, allowing it to last longer and operate more. There is not much difference in both dirt bike engines when it comes to engines. This guide covers the routine maintenance needs of the 4 stroke dirt bike to help you move quickly and efficiently through the process so you can get out of the garage and back on the track or trail. Now we have two bikes that are ideal for that challenge. An italian company called tm makes offroad bikes that are available with 2 stroke or 4 stroke motors. Apr 15, 2008 over time, the 2 stroke will exhibit more need for maintenance than a 4 stroke because of its nature, for sure. Air cooled 2 strokes often succumb to heat and seize their pistons. Nov 30, 2016 the last 2 bikes ive ridden was a jr 80 and then eventually a ttr 125, both spectrums of the 2 and 4, but i always enjoyed the 2 more, granted i didnt get to enjoy the 4 as long as it. What is the difference between a 2 stroke and a 4 stroke. When it comes to the main differences associated with 2 and 4 stroke engines, the main way in which they differ is simply based on how they operate. Well, on the contrary, two stroke engines require less maintenance as compared to the four stroke engines. If you dont wring it out racing, it may only need a top end after 3 or 4 years.
But heres a list of the main differences between the two engine types. Two stroke vs four stroke the truth ride expeditions ltd. My personal offroad only bike is a ktm 300 and i chose a tc250 for our flagship. Well, i cant speak much from experience on the 2 stroke side. The question conveys the difference between the bikes with 2 stroke and 4 stroke engines. In regards to how an engine works, you must first understand the concept of combustion within a small engine.
I ride a 2 stroke moped with a long exhaust pipe and a four stroke moped whizzer. The ageold debate of between getting a 2 stroke vs 4 stroke dirt bike is still going strong although not quite as strongly as before. Unlike their 4 stroke counterparts, 2 stroke engines do not contain valves, giving them a lighter weight. Unless your a serious racer which i figure your not, top ends will last for several years that 04 kdx in my sig, is still running on the oem piston. Requires gasoline, premixed w 2 stroke oil before filling tanks but very little maintenance. They require less maintenance, no valves, less moving internals. After all a lot of observed trials bikes are 2 stroke.
I ride motocross, so im also not experienced on trail riding. The 2 strokes are at the end of their development life and the 4 stroke is at the start of its development life. Sep 27, 2002 i find that ill be near empty after about 2. Ultimate 2stroke vs 4stroke offroad shootout dirt bike. But i also own and love an xr650r and have raced 4 strokes from mexico to colorado. Jul 10, 2017 preference of other riders picking whether 2 stroke vs 4 stroke dirt bikes comes down to a personal preference. The yz250fx four stroke is based on the previous generation of yz250f motocross bikes but with electric start, a sixspeed gearbox and offroad paraphernalia. Choosing 2 stroke vs 4 stroke dirt bikes comes down to a personal preference. Differences between 2 stroke vs 4 stroke dirt bikes. If you are most comfortable on a 2 stroke, then get one. I can attest to spending a lot of time cruising on the open.
Continuous cruising at slow speeds will cause more rapid carbon buildup, and require more frequent maintenance. Well you must know that i am partial to 2 stroke dirt bikes. Basic maintenance and checkover for buying used 2 stroke. Aug 08, 2007 2 strokes generally are faster than 4 strokes because every stroke is a power stroke. Page 1 of 2 2 stroke vs 4 stroke reliability posted in sledding general discussion. Yamaha is in the position of offering two completely different 250cc offroad bikes for the same purpose. A 4 stroke goes bumpbumpbumpbump on a steadier beat. Jul 29, 2017 top 10 dirt bike riding tips for offroad and enduro dirt bikes stop sucking. True a 2 stroke does require more maintenance and true a 4 stroke does have more moving parts but as stated previously a 2 stroke is working twice as hard, as well as head rebuilds quite often you will also be looking at engine rebuilds every 2 years or so if you wax it hard, you also need to get the two stroke oil mix right or your liable to seizure whereas my four stroke hasnt had a service.
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