2 or 4 STROKE DIRT BIKE

[bobrules101]

What is better a 2 or 4 stroke dirt bike and why?
Because I Was talking to some one that has just got a 4 stroke ttr125 dirt bike for his son not to long ago and now is going to sell he sons bike and get a 2 stroke cr85 bike for his son.

[inspiron]

My opinion:

2 stroke engines are easier to maintain (less moving parts - no valves, no oil pump, etc.) However, they are less efficient and much worse for the environment, because there is constantly unburned oil and fuel passing through to the exhaust.

A 4-stroke engine is more complex to build and maintain, and will be somewhat heavier than a 2-stroke. It should, however, offer better power throughout the power-band. Most 2-stroke engines are built to run wide open (like a chainsaw motor - it's either running full throttle or idle). A 4-stroke will provde smoother power.

[drgibson]

4 Stroke just ask the pros

[digipoi]

2 Strokes while you can still get them. If youre not racing in the nationals against the pros, you might as well have fun on a dirtbike.

[Dave2122]

Originally Posted by digipoi

2 Strokes while you can still get them. If youre not racing in the nationals against the pros, you might as well have fun on a dirtbike.

I totally agree!

2 Strokes, anything more is Jacking it!

[brandocommando]

This 4 stroke trend kills me! Most of us grew up on the good ol 2 stroke, and now this. BLAH! Im not saying they are bad bikes by any means, they cant be... the pros are riding them, it is just out of the ordinary to most of us seasoned riders. WE DO NOT LIKE CHANGE!

[palanon]

IMO pros & cons for each

2 stroke - ease of maint., light weight, cheap
Noise level, polute, having mix oil on hand

4 stroke - reverse above - for me it would mostly be due to noise -
Can't go around pissing off the niebors any more

[digipoi]

The noise issue is debateable. Depending upon your silencer/exhaust.

[TS185 enthusiast]

im only 15 years old-but ive got a 2 stroke-and alot of my mates have 4 strokes. my TS is a very low maintaince 2 stroke, but if you get a motorcross bike for the trails...bad news, so ive heard. and the motorcross 2 strokes are very high maintaince machines.

i like 2 strokes because of the power!!its not predictable and are fun to ride-four strokes as you all know, are very predictable. it really depends on what sort of riding you like.

[hogvibrator]

the pros ride what the factory tells them to ride or they dont get $.the two stroke is a better machine pound for pound.all factories are mandated by the oil companies,epa etc,so get what you can afford!

[christack44]

depends on what u want the dirtbike for also. if its more trail riding a pissin around havin fun then 4 stroke is the way to go. If its more jumping and racing then probably 2 stroke cause of the snap and jump behind them. I used to have a kxf250 and it had everything i wanted the power the snap and everything. my friend had a kx 125 (same class of bike) and we were pretty much matched till we got to top end then id take him. Witht he recent evolution of 4 stroke engines they can keep up like nothin. And a 4 stroke has more moving parts but i think there is less maintenence to them as its more like a vehicle engine and runs the same type of way kinda. just my thoughts.

[eb77k]

I think if you are talking used bikes the 2-strokes are a better bang for the buck. With the 4-stroke trend going wild the 2-stroke resale went in the toilet. My Kawi KDX-220 (enduro) has a more forgiving powerband than a new 250 4-stroke MX'r. There were 2 KDX models on craigs list a while back for between $1900 and $2400. Both in really good condition. Buy the used stuff before you start wadding up the new stuff.

[Wuby The Wabbit]

I have a yz250F and I love it I used to have a Yz125, I moved up becuase of the increses in torqe, and the smooth powerband, that a 4-stroke offers, A 4-stroke is a little more predictable,and less of a hassel to maintain, yet when you do have to service them or fix something its a little more out of pocket than a 2-stroke, but I would go 4-stroke all the way if your a trail,motorcross,supercrosser.

[Jammer]

I have an 07 DRZ400S. Now I'm doing the same things as the two strokers. Comparisons is that I regeared my bike to 1 down in the front and 3 up in the back. I have the street legal machine and geared it like the off-road. I also put a good set of street legal knobbies on it. They crack their throttle and burn up the hills so do I. The older bikes, 1980 series, much much louder. I have more power for the same cc's. I'm heavier though when I pick my bike up. But my suspension I like so much better.

I think it's not the difference between the 2 stroke or 4 stroke. It's the "love of the ride."

If one would have a 1971 two stroke and that is all they could afford with friends helping them repair it and they would ride and enjoy themselves....then I would say a two stroke is the best. If another would be rich and have their brand new 4 stroke in their garage and not use it..I would say a two stroke would be the best

In short..it's not the engine it's the ride. Two strokes are going away..and the 4 strokes are here. Technology is going into them now. It doesn't really suck because they are reducing the weight of them and the handling is getting so much better than it was from so many years ago.

Just my humble opinion.

[84rm250]

i rode an xr600 the other day.give me my old rm250 anyday

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by 84rm250

i rode an xr600 the other day.give me my old rm250 anyday

I do miss the days of the lower sitting bikes. The RM was snappy, quick.

[84rm250]

its my first dirt bike, my last bike was 250 4 stroke road bike about 15 years ago. now im addicted can only amagine what the newer ones go like

[manic]

Originally Posted by bobrules101

What is better a 2 or 4 stroke dirt bike and why?
Because I Was talking to some one that has just got a 4 stroke ttr125 dirt bike for his son not to long ago and now is going to sell he sons bike and get a 2 stroke cr85 bike for his son.

Depends on a variety of factors--gearing, track length, number of tight turns, rider style and likes vs dislikes, etc. . . Sounds like he just got to big of a bike for his son.

Typically, 2 strokes require you to mix gas and oil for fuel--they smoke more, they are usually louder, but they are often high strung. 4 strokes have a traditional oil reservoir and take gas right into the tank. 4 strokes usually have longer powerbands and not as much torque as a similar sized 2 stroke bike. In order to be fast, each rider must know the bikes powerband and tq curve. A big 4 stroke like my YZ450F is a bear on short, small, twisty tracks--and almost impossible to navigate dinky trails, b/c you just can't get the bike to run that slow, it lacks torque puttingin first and it only has 4 gears (I think the new ones have 5-which should help with the latter problem). However, on long straitaways, and large tracks, its fabulous.

Which is the best? Again, it depends--usually its the rider's preference that dictates (same reason 2 and 4 strokes race professionally).

[Jammer]

My opinion. It's a different field out there now. I saw the from the question a mixture of old school and the newer technology. The 4 strokes now I have found to be more snappy than those found in the 80's. Most people remember the old days of what they think of what a dirt bike *should be.* I just took a DRZ400 and regeared it to what the dirt version is and replaced the tires. It's a nice beast. It sits high as most the newer dirt bikes do.

My opinion. I like the simplicity of the 2 stroke; however, I like the accessability of parts and the technology of the newer 4 strokes. I took my DRZ and I swear I put in in places with low revs that I remember my old 2 stroke would out perform the 4 strokes in the 80's especially the 70's.

125's I can't say. I don't wish to go that low. My DRZ with new tires is quiet and has the tread. It will do more than I wish at any time..but will do what I want when I choose to push the limits. I love the dirt over the road because I can get a wild hair and not end up endangering myself with loss of life going over 180mph or dumping in turns that scrape my knee pads. With the dirt I am pushing in turns or in hill climbs. If I need to unload I just drop the bike. And both are fine.

My answer to the question would be 4-stroke because that is what most manufacturer's have readily available. With my bike regeared I can crack the throttle and lift the front end...I can climb dunes and launch 10ft in the air. A good Sunday ride with my 4-stroke I can come home and feel the burn going to work Monday.

At this day...I would pick a 4 stroke.

Sincerely...