FlemingXJ

I used to ride ALOT when i was a youngun, my dad passed away and we were forced to sell the bikes. Years have passed and i think i wanna get back into it, Making payments on a friends old bike or something.

What you guys need to help me with is telling me the difference between 2 and 4stroke bikes. Besides the noise difference, i know that one..

thanks!

razor02097

2 stroke requires a special type of engine oil that you mix with the gasoline.

4 stroke is just like the car engine where you have crank case oil and regular gasoline.

razor02097

A more elaborate answer......

4 stroke dirt bikes get great torque from idle on up and are great trail bikes. They are very popular since they have a lot of torque. They do not require you to mix oil and gas, and they are not as finniky with outside air temp and mods. With the option of fuel injection and electric start it is pretty convenient. The experience will go something like this. rev and let out the clutch.... smooth torque and acceleration pulling hard through the gears...


2 stroke bikes operate mostly in their power band. They don't have much torque in the low revs. They are much simpler then the 4 stroke motor in that there is no valve train. They are also cheaper to build up. most times overhaul is new rings and some gaskets. The carb may need to be adjusted depending on the heat and humidity. Otherwise it can run like crap... Newer engines get around this though with newer carb designs. The experience will go something like this. rev and let out the clutch.... a little bit of spudder and bogging until it catches and smoothly accelerates until the power valve opens.... it is like an explosion of power that you can keep WOT while zipping through the gears...


For pure adrenaline IMO the 2 stroke beats out the 4... however for trails, electric start option and the good torque the 4 is pretty nice too.

mike albo

2 strokes suck,4 strokes truck, there used to be a huge weigth differance,most 4 strokes were air cooled,not these days,most 4 strokes will beat a 2 stroke todays.Pick up a current DirtBike or DirtWheels magazine.

FlemingXJ

thats exactly what i need to know. I knew there was something about mixing fluids in 2 strokes. Im all for the trail riding and not speed and agility as i live in colorado..

mike albo

4 strokes make much better trail bikes,the power is more mellow and controlable.If you set one up right it will be stump puller.

razor02097

a long time ago they where air cooled... so where many 2 strokes.

In today's world the 2 stroke is shunned because they believe 2 stroke exhaust is harmful to the environment.

my 1990 RM250 can haul ***. If you know what you are doing and know how to start off in the power band you can beat many 4 stroke bikes. If not you will end up on your ***.

FlemingXJ

here are two bikes i am looking at

2stroke

http://denver.craigslist.org/mcy/1806532474.html

4 stroke

http://denver.craigslist.org/mcy/1785218018.html

mike albo

My last dirt bike was a KTM 600 4 stroke,on the trails and hills it was untouchable.On the track it was a tank,but real fun.The guys I rode with all had 2 strokes.They couldn't hang on the trails.

mike albo

go for the second one it will be more versital,meaning you will be able to do both track or trail

FlemingXJ

Im heading to college after this next year, i cant afford to do anything but trail rides. 4 stroke it is. Finding one that isnt expensive is a little tough.

what do you think about the 4 stroke up there ^^

mike albo

Yamaha makes a great bike,being that its a 4 stroke you can get a green sticker for it still,in California you can't get green stickers for 2 strokes anymore.I don't know about Colorado.

FlemingXJ

hey, thanks for your help guys.

ive been told that a 250 would be a good size to grow into, Im 5'9" -145

mike albo

have fun with what ever you choose,but yeah a 250 is a good all around bike

razor02097

250cc is plenty for a 2 stroke. I would look into something bigger if you go 4 stroke.

Between the two I would be partial to the RM. However if the Yamaha choice was a 450 I would probably go with that.