2 stroke vs 4 stroke – which one is better? Two-stroke engines will give you more torque at a higher RPM. The best overall KTM 2 stroke dirt bikes for trail riding are the 150 XCW, 250 XCW, and 300 XCW. Here’s a handy-dandy video that shows you exactly how two-stroke engines work, in addition to the parts they have: Four stroke dirt bike engines are a little more complex than their two-stroke counterparts. I hope all your confusion has vaporized in the air by this time. There are more parts to a four-stroke engine, which enables you to spend less time braking and shifting your bike when you have to slow down. Four stroke engines are heavier because they have more parts, sometimes making them fifty percent heavier than their two-stroke counterparts. If your engine is lightweight, you can get started and slow down with ease. Two stroke engines are assembled using fewer parts than the four-stroke, which is definitely the more complicated counterpart. Get the picture? Unfortunately, since there are fewer parts, each of the parts does more work, and are subject to more wear on average. In the early days of dirt bike performance, the 2 stroke motor was the only real choice for racing and performance. I live in Star, Idaho and enjoy dirt biking with my wife and two boys throughout the Idaho mountains. Four stroke engines make a lot of sense (creating a lot of pros that we’ll talk about later), but they aren’t as efficient as a two-stroke (which leads to some cons that you’ll learn about in a moment). Choosing between the two bikes is not a cut and dry matter, though. The Garage Manual makes maintaining and enjoying your dirt bike ridiculously simple. Unfortunately, this also means that when maintenance IS needed, it is generally more expensive, since more parts need to be worked on and replaced. It has also been said that another contributing factor to the 2 strokes decline is the pressure felt by government groups and lobbyists to phase them out because of the environmental damage they cause. For example, it can’t “hover” in a gear as well as a four stroke dirt bike can. 4 strokes all the way. Top European manufacturers understand the importance of the development and progression of 2 strokes and are still forging ahead with them, winning many Enduro competitions – interestingly enough all throughout Europe where the AMA has no influence… hmm. An exposed intake transfer port lets the next air and fuel mixture into the cylinder, right as the crankshaft begins its next rotation, pushing the piston back up. All Rights Reserved. These bikes are used to play bike racing. PER CC a 2 Stroke produces more Horsepower Throughout the world, dirt bike bikers say concerning whether 2 strokes versus 4 strokes are the better engine for motorcycle. These engines simplistic design makes them lighter than their 4-stroke peers and subsequently easier to lift and bring down. I know some dirt bikers laugh at this environmentalist issue, but it’s important to note it. But they also fall short in a few areas. But on the other hand, a lot of riders don’t actually want that. I recommend a 4 stroke dirt bike for beginners. What should really be considered in the 2 stroke versus 4 stroke dirt bike debate is what is good and bad about each of them as well as how both of them work in different situations, settings, and riding styles. but 4 strokes have come so far and are now faster and more reliable. The reason is simple: weight slows you down. Maintenance is needed much less frequently since the work the engine is doing has been spread out through more parts. Unfortunately, repairs on a four-stroke generally are more expensive, since there are more components used to keep the engine running. Two stroke motorcycles dominated the motocross and supercross classes because of their high performance and light weight. Click Here To Read About The Future Of Two Stroke Dirt Bikes, Click Here To Read About The Future Of Two Stroke Dirt Bikes Part 2, Click Here To Read About 2 Stroke Fuel Ratios. Which is better in the offroad category? Yet another similarity between two-stroke engines and four-stroke engines on dirt bikes is that they both have pros and cons. Differences between 2 stroke vs 4 stroke dirt bikes. This means that a two-stroke 125 cc engine is the same as a 4-stroke 250 cc.In fact, there are very few low cc four-stroke engine dirt bikes on the market. Now let’s get to the good stuff: what’s the difference between two-stroke dirt bikes and four stroke dirt bikes? Good. “Why?” you ask? I said this before with the two-stroke engines, and I’ll say it again because it’s important! Two stroke dirt bikes also tend to “smoke” during startup. Dirt bikes with a two-stroke engine are generally lighter, produce a higher pitched noise, and are cheaper than dirt bikes with 4 stroke engines. However, two strokes work better on some terrains and are more efficient on different types of dirt biking than four-stroke engines are, and vice versa. Back in the day, you know… waaay back in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, you would watch racers like Ricky Carmichael , Jeremy McGrath , … Finding the right dirt bike for your kid can be a little challenging sometimes--especially when it comes to finding the right price. This is because they have a higher fuel efficiency than the two-stroke engine, and you don’t have to mix oil with your fuel in order to make the engine run. Because two stroke dirt bike engines are simpler, condensing four steps into two movements, they are smaller and lighter than four-stroke engines. Is it easier and cheaper to maintain and repair? The age-old debate of between getting a 2 stroke VS 4 stroke dirt bike is still going strong – although not quite as strongly as before. If there’s an obstacle that you don’t feel comfortable jumping or riding over, you can easily pick up your dirt bike and lift it over. The hair raising Japanese 500cc weapons have long since dropped off the mainstream production line but the rest of the family are hanging in there thanks to the Stefans & Svens of the world. Cons include: the cost of oil, tendency to foul spark plugs, less torque than the 4 stroke and the bike is harder to handle on a tight course. All Rights Reserved. Dirt bikes with two-stroke engines are more “jumpy”, and while that does give them their vaunted faster acceleration, it does make them a little harder to handle, especially if you’re smaller, less experienced, or don’t like feeling like you’re riding your grandparent’s old lawnmower. So I’ll leave you with this to ponder before you dig into the hundreds of ‘2 stroke vs 4 stroke’ articles submitted below by every dirt loving bike junkie wanting to chip their 10 cents in.. Will the once-superior two strokes disappear completely? The first thing you'll notice when you look at a 2-stroke dirt bike is the big exhaust pipe. Once upon a time there was a huge difference between the way a 4 stroke and a 2 stroke dirt bike performed. Less material means less money. Their processes are designed to keep the dirt bikes running and moving. 2-stroke vs 4-stroke dirt bikes: The bikes. A stroke is a motion of a piston, meaning a two-stroke dirt bike has 2 different motions of the piston, while a four-stroke has 4. in this case, here a Decades have passed but the debate is still there that which is better between 2 stroke vs 4 stroke dirt bikes. With the new and improved thumpers, many people find them easier to ride with their smooth, tractable power delivery. The simplified system on the former model makes it much simpler to maintain and work on. I myself am an owner of a 2007 yz 450f and it is the fastest and best bike i have ever owned and i have owned many 2 stroke and 4 stroke bikes. But here’s a list of the main differences between the two engine types. After all the popular question on many-a-dirt bike rider’s lips is.. There are a number of differences between 2 stroke vs 4 stroke dirt bike engines. There are more four stroke beginner dirt bike bike models available than beginner two stroke models and if you've never ridden before or are apprehensive about learning to ride a dirt bike, go for the four stroke. Few racers in the country have a better handle on the benefits of two-stroke versus four-stroke bikes than the two-time EnduroCross and former US Trials champ. but 4 strokes have come so far and are now faster and more reliable. You could get going without much effort, and slowing down was only as hard as slowing down is when you’re a kid. While they require half the strokes to accomplish the same purpose as a four-stroke engine, they do make twice as much noise. Still, I want to let you know about the key pros and cons of dirt bikes that have these two different strokes. A few years ago I bought dirt bikes for myself, my wife, and my kids. two strokes in there day were awsome. These bikes are available in two kinds of strokes one is 2 stroke dirt bikes and the second is 4 stroke dirt bikes. Simple. These cycles repeat over and over again, the whole time the bike is running. It seems that the technology already exists to create a two stroke engine that is just as, if not more environmentally sound as a four stroke. For instance, you need to consider the type of riding you are planning to do. How many times do you watch racing videos and a fallen rider struggles to upright the bike only to watch everyone pass him as he slips and stammers trying to get his bike back on two wheels? Though, they still had to compete against the mad-men that were willing to strap themselves to a 500cc 2 stroke screamer. That being said, if you are a racer, top speed is going to be important to you, and you may be more concerned and conscientious about the base weight of your bike. Maintaining the same tone, 2 stroke dirt bikes use the previously discussed two-stroke engines. Best Dirt Bikes for 6-Year-Olds: A Detailed Guide with Pricing. After a while, we got tired of it; it was never a level playing field. Once upon a time there was a huge difference between the way a 4 stroke and a 2 stroke dirt bike performed. Both two-stroke engines and four-stroke engines have pistons that keep them running. Keep an open mind as you read on, and don’t forget to be honest with yourself about what kind of dirt biker you are. This means that if the motor were to experience a mechanical failure, a 4-stroke will most likely have more parts that need to be replaced, which means 4-stroke engine repairs will be more expensive. Why? But this debate goes so much deeper than the simple question, “which is better?”. Preference of other riders picking whether 2 stroke VS 4 stroke dirt bikes comes down to a personal preference. DirtBikePlanet.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Due to the way they’re assembled, they require a mixture of fuel and oil. However, when it comes to dirt bikes, we’re talking about something entirely different, that has nothing to do with hospital visits or sudden flashes of inspiration. 2 Stroke vs 4 Stroke. 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