Are two stroke bikes really going out?

[gplracer]

I was at the local motorcycle dealership and they stated that buy 2006 it would probably be illegal to bring two stroke bikes into the U.S. Do you folks this this is true? I was just getting back into riding and was stunned to hear this. The guy said no one was buying the KDX bikes. He said they cannot keep the 4 stroke bikes on the sales floor? What is this all about?

 

[nectar]

As far as I know...mfg. will continue to make 2storke race bikes, ie cr, yz, kx.....it seems that they most likely will discontiue 2stroke trail bikes like the kdx, soon or later.....So, get you 2stroke trail bike now!

 

[MXP1MP]

The way I understood it, was they couldn't sell them as ready to go trail bikes it would be considered closed course. But if I took my MX'er threw on a legal spark arrestor and had the legal ORV license and Tab's it be all good to go.

 

[Daisycutter]

Get yourself a 2 stroke while you can.

 

[DougRoost]

The AMA did some great work here. They had the definition of closed course opened up from professional MX'ers to Hare Scrambles, Enduros, etc. So any 2 stroke bike built with the intent to compete in any kind of racing would be legal. This means about the only 2 stroke bike that could not be sold after that time would be the KDX, which is a great bike but hasn't had any R&D attention in at least 7 years.

 

[jboomer]

Are they just prevented from R&D on ALL bikes come 2006 or just R&D on bikes not designed for the above listed activities? From what I gather from your comment is that as long as these bikes are made for some type of competition then they won't be affected by the 2stroke ban?

 

[CaptainObvious]

Legalities aside, check out motorcycledailiy’s take on the subject.

www.motorcycledaily.com

 

[DougRoost]

jboomer, there's no rule against 2 stroke R&D, it's the threat of no sales in the US that would cause the mfr's to make a business decision not to continue R&D. Honda has stated in the press that they have 2 stroke CR development plans at least through 2010. 2 strokes keep getting better and better.

If you're really worried about this then join the AMA and help

 

[DougRoost]

Gary, can you point us to a date or more precise article than just their home page? Thanks!

 

[CaptainObvious]

It's the lead story today (October 22, 2003).

 

[jboomer]

Not on my computer! It's advertising Ducati's bike in Tokyo!

 

[whyzee]

Originally posted by DougRoost
...If you're really worried about this then join the AMA and help

well said!

 

[CaptainObvious]

Opps, it changed since I made my first post. It is yesterdays news. The basic story is that 2-strokes are still competetive.

 

[Daisycutter]

I dare a thumper-rider to say that my 2001 CR500 isn't competitive.

 

[gwcrim]

Being competitive is 75% rider, 25% machine. :ugg:

 

[shnalln]

:| It is definately something to be concerned about, and if trends continue it will be more than just 2 stroke bans that we'll have to worry about! Very disturbing, I think I'll look more into joining the AMA myself! :debil:

http://www.ama-cycle.org/legisltn/releases/2003/G03014.asp
http://www.ama-cycle.org/news/2003/peoriaban.asp :ugg:

 

[teknoterd]

hmmmm it seems this has sheadded more light on the situation. i thought that in 98 or 99 when this whole thing first reared its ugly little head that a certain motorcycle company in japan that had just debued its new MX thumper, cough... cough.. YAMAHA cough... had made it up so they could sell more bikes.

 

[FlyinHawaiin]

Damm taxachusettes is boring enough as it is now they are proposing to ban 2-strokes!!! F that im joining the AMA right now