Switch From 4 Back to 2-stroke?

[Psalm31.24]

this is a very interesting thread. . .

seems like there's a grassroots movement back to 2 strokes but the media is so pro 4 strokes. if you just watched TV commentaries and read the mags, you'd think 2 strokes were dead and a waste of time (with exceptions to MXA's 2 stroke manifesto). Are they that far out of touch . . . ?

 

[MWEISSEN]

if you just watched TV commentaries and read the mags, you'd think 2 strokes were dead and a waste of time (with exceptions to MXA's 2 stroke manifesto). Are they that far out of touch . . . ?

The momentum is there for the four strokes. They have indeed come a long way, and are the future (post 2006) at least for non-closed course riding, unless someone can clean up the emissions on two strokes.

As far as magazines being out of touch, no question they're more enamoured with themselves than the average guy. The only positive that I can see is the trend for them to finally promote lowered noise on four strokes. I think the noise issue with four strokes is more damaging to our sport than many other things right now.

 

[JasonWho]

Watch a race on ESPN2. About all you see is 4 strokes. When Joe Blow sees most every racer on a 4-stroke, he may not know all the AMA, EPA, etc. peculiarities.

The announcers never come out and say, "Hey. Most are on a 4-stroke because the displacement is higher." You would have to be a James Stewart/Ricky Carmihael type to keep a 2x/1.8x larger engine bike behind you while riding a 2 stroke, 3 stroke, etc.

 

[d36RM racer]

Im sick of having to get my 93db 2stroke sound checked due to thoes crapy 4strokes the rangers cant even use the meter right once they said I was at 103 when I repacked the silencer the night before.
Long live the 2smoke :aj: :yeehaw:

 

[pace]

MXA also ran another 2-stroke advocacy article this month. Say what you want about MXA, but they are at least speaking out against the legislated dirtbike technology and herd mentality that is driving four-stroke sales.

I'd just like to note that the '05 YZ125 has a 17 pound claimed dry weight advantage over the '05 250F. That's simply a massive difference. It's somewhat ironic that Yamaha, the pioneers of the modern four-stroke revolution, may be the ones to keep the two-stroke alive a little longer. The YZ250 also has a 9lb dry weight advantage over the 450F..

I plan to never move to a four stroke for closed circuit riding unless the government make it illegal to do otherwise. Even if it means I'll be riding a 10 year old bike at some point. I'll keep this CR until it becomes apparent that 2-stroke chassis technology is standing still (or about to discontinued from product lineups), then purchase a new one and run the sucker into the ground. Whether that happens in 2006 or 2010 is anyone's guess.

-Pace

 

[SpectraSVT]

Why does Cali have some law on the books for Pre 2003 2 strokes?
Not that it matters I am not in Cali so I got a 04 2 stroke.
Just incase some worthless law regarding EPA emissions regulations is passed in 05 (not like it would actually help anything) :yeehaw:

Not sure of all the details but Cali felt it was a problem because so many people were buying out of state to get green sticker bikes. Previous law was pre-96 bikes were green. DMV started over and made the cut-off at 2002. All 2003 and up bikes not passing off-road regulations get red stickers. I bought a 2003 YZ250 and 1 month later received my red sticker in the mail. After renewing my reg. this year, DMV issued me a green sticker. :yeehaw: Not sure why, possible screw up on their part, another law change, or my VIN # didn't pass the cut-off. Its all stupid in my opinion seeing how a 2002 YZ250 is the same as an 04 YZ. Yet one is green while the other is red? :think:

 

[Uchytil]

Yeah Baby

Ringa ding ding...Rode at a local track yesterday and there was one thumper. The races still turn out many 4 strokers but at a local level the C riders do well on either. The 4 stroke are too loud - period. Red Bud blew me away and many others comemnted on how loud it was. Not a good loud but an annoying thing. The outboards I work on are sooo quiet, totally different 4 stroke animal and how they exhaust. Owners can;t even here then running and some try to start them while there running, LOL. Anyway, I rambling before work today, I love the smell of 2 strokes anytime.

EPA and the race gas rule makers (no names) can shove it!

 

[biglou]

Wow, I guess 2-strokes really are better. I guess the guy that held the gun to my head when I bought the 450 lied to me? Ya learn something every day. :p

Freedom of choice. I'm all for it.

 

[gwcrim]

Wow, I guess 2-strokes really are better.

Gee Lou, it's great that you've seen the light! I bet someone held a gun to your head and made you spend all that jack building an XR50. Because no one in their right mind would do THAT either. ;)

 

[biglou]

Hey, it's a sickness. I can't help it... :ride:

 

[GhostRider32]

Two Strokes are far from dead....WOOHOO...., Evinrude outboards has built and released for sale a 2 stroke that runs cleaner than a four stroke. I realize that this is an outboard but it would seem that the same technology can be adapted to 2 stroke dirtbikes. Go to www.evinrude.com and look up direct injection to see the charts. This system even has beaten the CARB 3 California requirements.

:yeehaw: :yeehaw:

 

[KX02]

Well, that's good to hear. My fear however is that with everyone jumping on the 4 stroke bandwagon dirt bike wise, the factories will see no reason to pursue 2 strokes. It seems that the 4 stroke market is more lucrative, bikes are more expensive, parts are more expensive, riders not as likely to do their own wrenching.

 

[Mike R.]

Interesting specs at Evinrude

Wow!!! the 2 stroke 225 puts out 25 more HP then the Yamaha 225 4 stroke.
The 2 stroke produces 18% less emissions then the 4 stroke.
Sounds like the bike makers outta get some tips from Evinrude :laugh:

 

[bclapham]

(with exceptions to MXA's 2 stroke manifesto). Are they that far out of touch . . . ?

NOPE. to their credit, the MXA guys race nearly every week of the year, unlike the guys from the other mags. they get all manner of bikes to ride and that manifesto has come from Jody- they have just seen too many thumpers blow up in too short a period of time.

remember, technology is not always a good thing, its about getting the job done. the 2 stroke does that quite well IMO.

 

[bedell99]

The CR125 & CR250 will be released at the dealer show in September. This is according to Don Meada at Transworld Motocross on Motodrive. As for changes we will have to seen.

Erik

 

[CRspode]

The CR125 & CR250 will be released at the dealer show in September. This is according to Don Meada at Transworld Motocross on Motodrive. As for changes we will have to seen.

Erik

Man, that's great to know. Hopefully Honda was just waiting to see everyone elses offerings before they showed their hand. It's going to come down to a new CR, YZ or SX 250 for me unless I splurge on the Service Honda 500AF. Keep us posted if you have reliable sources of any changes in the 05 CR's.

Thanks,

Scott

 

[Junkyard Dog]

I wondering how the EPA or the SCAQMD (Southcoast Air Quailty Management District) is going to regulate the emissions of 2 strokes and 4 strokes?
How is this possible if there is no emission testing after you have purchased the bike?
Who's to say a 4 stroke is any more smog legal than a 2 stroke after being modified?
Are they going to pull you over and test your bike out at the track? not to mention bringing the dyno out to the trail you're on? Sorry your bike failed it's emission test, take it home and fix it, no racing for you today.

 

[MWEISSEN]

Regarding testing on the trail, I'll bet they won't test, it'll be by model and model year. I believer that all bikes pre-2006 will be OK on open trail, after that it'll go by model. The ranger or officer could most likely look up your VIN number to know if it's legal or not on a trail.

If I remember correctly, closed-course bikes are exempt from EPA regs on a closed course.

 

[Junkyard Dog]

Well I meant to say riding instead of racing, my bad.

 

[MXP1MP]

Okay I swore it was the new KTM's for 05 that they recommend running a mix ratio of 60:1 as OEM specs.

 

[motojonny]

Below are all of the bikes I have owned since 98 and I keep coming back to the same conclusion:

98 YZ250
99 YZ400
00 YZ250
01YZ250F
01YZ250 Still own it
03 YZ250F
03 YZ450F
04 CRF250X

I still like my 01 YZ250 better then the CRFX(and all the bikes I've owned) and will probably get an 05 YZ250 soon. The CRF250X has about 350 miles on it and will probably be for sale soon. I love 2 strokes for all of the reasons posted above.

In case your wondering, I can get bikes at cost for myself, and/or I shop ****. I also have a problem and can't control myself when I get "new bike fever!"

MJ

 

[_j0kA_]

hey, ive got an 01rm125 and 04rm250 and i love them both to death... the only 4 stroke i throw my leg over is my modified xr50, other then that i dont have a use for them! actually my friend rode my 04rm250 about 3 weeks ago, his bike is now for sale and he bought a new 04rm250 yesterday.. he picks it up tuesday, can't wait to compare it to my 1 year old one now..

 

[steve125]

Nowdays when i think of a 250F rider, I think of the word "follow".

When I think of a 2 stroke rider that has returned from a 4stroke or smart enough to never leave, the word is "FUN".

So pick your word, and ride! :ride:

 

[bclapham]

Nowdays when i think of a 250F rider, I think of the word "follow".

250F makes me just think....

...tick, tick, BOOOM!

 

[JasonWho]

When they tip over on ESPN2 MX racing, I love to chant, kick it!, kick it! :-)