Thread:

Dirt Bike: 2stroke or 4?

I want to buy a dirt bike (I've always ridden street) but am wondering: why would I want a 2 stroke over a 4 or vice-versa?

Originally Posted by millhouse961

I want to buy a dirt bike (I've always ridden street) but am wondering: why would I want a 2 stroke over a 4 or vice-versa?

2 strokes are lighter have fewer parts are easier to maintain and almost always make more power delivered to the rear wheels in a way 4 strokes simply cant.

They are a brutal attack on ones senses- they are awesome.

downside is they just to much fun for our government to allow - they drink and stink per se but because of the relative engine scale and performance.
a 3 gallon tank delivers all the range you usually need under all but dessert riding. One major penalty is that you have to mix oil in the gasoline itself and cant just fuel up anywhere without this added oil, but most are more tolerant than you'd think - I ran an old yz465 on 75-100:1 on occasions with no issues.

4 stroke bikes are heavier, have waaay more moving parts, and have mild power deliveries in comparison this actually makes them more rideable for all but highly experience riders. Maintenance on these bikes is a lot more expensive and time consuming, but they are all really good now and the intervals have become reasonable in the last 10 years- and even before that old warhorse honda xr-5/600's are still running after decades of use.
It is nice to pull up to a regular fuel source and just hit it.

If you are just starting start out with a 4 stroke focus on the largest displacement bike you can physically sling a leg on. for a full grown man and a 4 stroke - I cant reccomend anything less than a 250. That will offer enough gear flexibility to be versatile, and enough top end for short highway stints if its a dual sport and wil return mileage in the 50's easy.

Lay it flat on the ground (carefully) and then make sure you can pick it up- if you cant go down in size.

Big big big relatively safe fun my friend.
Youll never get it out of your system once you start riding.

UD

Originally Posted by Uncle Dave

2 strokes are lighter have fewer part are easier to maintain and almost always make more power delivered t the rear wheels in a way 4 strokes simply cant.

They are a brutal attack on ones senses- they are awesome.

downside is they just to much for for our government to allow - they drink and stink per se but because of the relative engine scale and performance.
a 3 gallon tank delivers all the range you usually need under all but dessert riding. One major penalty is that you have to mix oil in the gasoline itself and cant just fuel up anywhere without this added oil, but most are more tolerant than you'd think - I ran an old yz465 on 75-100:1 on occasions with no issues.

4 stroke bikes are heavier, have waaay more moving parts, and have mild power deliveries in comparison this actually makes them more rideable for all but highly experience riders. Maintenance on these bikes is a lot more expensive and time consuming, but they are all really good now and the intervals have become reasonable in the last 10 years- and even before that old warhorse honda xr-5/600's are still running after decades of use.
It is nice to pull up to a regular fuel source and just hit it.

If you are just starting start out with a 4 stroke focus on the largest displacement bike you can physically sling a leg on. for a full grown man and a 4 stroke - I cant reccomend anything less than a 250. That will offer enough gear flexibility to be versatile, and enough top end for short highway stints if its a dual sport and wil return mileage in the 50's easy.

Lay it flat on the ground (carefully) and then make sure you can pick it up- if you cant go down in size.

Big big big relatively safe fun my friend.
Youll never get it out of your system once you start riding.

UD

So it sounds like if I have no dirt bike experience I may be beter off with a 4 stroke?

Thanks for the input. We are mostly thinking sand, but I will probably want to find trails in the dirt around my house. Time to go shopping!

Go 4 stroke..I have a 09 yammi wr450 modded and a 08yz 450 they weigh aprox 235 lbs and flat rip...rode 2 strokes 4 years and would never ever think of going back my yz450 would flat kill my old cr500...and if u just want brute power try a modded ktm 620....an animal... I have a full size motocross track on my property and ride most every day it aint snowing....lol...then its a snowcross track!! come on winter

just my opinion....btw

I've ridden just about everything at one time or another and wouldn't trade my 450 4stroke for anything.

There are many different opinions on this subject but most prefer the modern 4 strokes.

Originally Posted by Uncle Dave

Here is the YZ 450 Ive been riding - also my "camp" bike.

I also have toy hauler and 2 quads a raptor 700 and a kfx-450 and a stage 1 banshee.

I suggest if you want to ride in the dessert and live anywhere near so ca to give Glamis a shot.

Ive not yet ridden a 4 stroke dirt bike or quad that would pull like my kfx-500.

If millhouse wants to go to glamis when it cools down he can meet me out there.


UD

Glamis sounds plenty fun but uhh.....i gotta get a bike first

Originally Posted by 75 spectra v-drive

MY .02 two strokes are way easy to rebuild, 4 strokes are not and can cost 5X as much if you cant do it yourself. A four stroke 250 = 125 two stroke and vice versa. I currently own a 2002 WR 426 with CA plates FMF pipe sparky, jet kit, protapers, ETC,ETC. Awsome bike, but has no where near the balls of my old 91 CR 500 (not even 1/2) A lot of guys run their four strokes to the edge with out doing the proper service, then sell them and go buy a new one and suck up the loss.. Be carefull

My buddy has a 2006 WR and it's a pig. The WR's are trail bikes with less camshaft and more restrictive exhaust. And they're heavier with that steel frame, battery, starter motor and headlight.


My brother has a 2004 KX 500 (2 smoke) if anyone is interested. Hardly been ridden. In fact, I think I have more time on it than my brother and I only farted around on it one day climbing hills.

Had to say, I think it is mostly opinion to which is best.

I own and ride two strokes.

I have ridden 4 strokes as well, but I just like the sound and power delivery from a two stroke.

Brian