Two vs. Four

[Blue02R6]

I'm kinda looking at getting a dirt bike for mountain trail use, and I was wondering if a 2 stroke or 4 stroke would be better. Also what displacement would you all recomend. I'm mostly looking at Yammies. I've been thinking a yz-250F would be fairly good.

[PsychoX669]

I think for trail riding involing hills and paths a 2 stroke would be the best the pick up is much better and they are ment for it, a 4 stroke is meant for flater riding. 4 do much better on long term over all power, you need quick fast power which you can get better from a stock 2 stroke

ok i saw this smiliyi had to put it on.... cmon why would i need to respent a dogpile of soemone?!?!

[bassplayer]

I am very impressed with the Yamaha WR 250F after some free mods to bring it up to YZ 250F specs. Two strokes are just too much to maintain for woods riding. I used to ride an IT 200 but it was made for trail riding and still fouled plugs on occasion and terrible on gas. Very important consideration for long distance riding. The older ITs even had two spark plugs so you could just switch the wire to the other plug when one fouled.

[94tegRS]

I might be wrong but isnt a 4 stroke much better for trail riding. ive always ben otld that with a 2 stroke if you dont keep it wound out all the time you foul many many plugs.

[riderrw]

A 2-stroke is alot more fun because of the accerlation if you
plan on hitting the trails hard but if your going to sight see
then a 4-stroke would better suit you

[94tegRS]

yeah, if the traisl new though you cant really haul ass through it, ive done it on a 02 CR125 and the result isnt pretty, never wrecked it but S's come out of nowhere and theres BIG trees in the woods, LOL. but i did trail ride it a few times and it is fun, and they are quick little suckers, id imagine the 250 would be REAL fun. I myself am gonna go for 4 troke because although i dont mind working on my own stuff and maintaining them, I dont wanna be rebuilding top ends all the time, and then when im in there id do the bottom too just to be safe, and the guy with the 4 stroke will still be out playing.

[parrish5o]

I'm a die hard 2 stroke fan. I've been getting dumped be YZs since I was 11. The arm streaching power of a 2 stroke is hard to beat, but the new thumpers are very impressive as well, the only soultion, buy both.

[dano 360]

I'm also a die hard 2-stroke fan. I have a seriously modified 00' YZ 125 set up for the woods and believe me its alot of fun. 2 strokes are usually a little lighter then 4's and will handle a little better in the tight stuff. They can be tricky in the woods, trying to keep the rpm's up requires a slightly more aggressive riding style where the 4's have more tractable power down low and a smoother power delivery and require a little less effort to stay in the meat of the power band. Todays 4 strokes have come a long way and are excellent trail and moto-x bikes requiring less maintenance then the 2 strokes. If you're going to be in the mountains i would go with the YZ 250f. You will appreciate the extra torque a 4 stroke has when your climbing.

Danny

[92'rs boy]

i tell u what i am only a 15 yr onld guy but i know what i like and i like dirtbikes in general and i have rode the yzf400 pretty sweet it flies and it has plenty of power... you can go slow and easy and u can sweep up the races if u know how to ride and especially for the trails it is great because alot of the new 4 strokes keep up wit these 2 strokes.. with these new thumpers u can get alot of torque at the bottom and and mid range pretty much where ever want so if u need the extra boost to get over that big log to get your front wheel off the ground it is there and yes the 2 strokes are fun to ride in trails if u like to be alert and work your clutch hand alot but i would go with the 4 stoke also because u said mountains that is elevation it would probably be easy to adjust the engin to it but i dunno bout any of that.. 2 strokes can get up hills but it is still easy from what i've found with a 4 stroke becuause with a 2 stroke u get that wheel spinnnin jus to fast and the four stoke stays steady and u get a good steady ride up.. thats my two cents.... sean

[2strokebloke]

I say 2-stroke all the way. It's lighter, easier to maintain (no valve train, no changing of oil), good pickup - and a sound that's music to my ears. For lots of uneven riding it's good.
A four stroke is a bit heavier, but offers better bottom end torque, but require more maintenance, and has more parts to break.
It really just comes down to preference and compromises, do you need low end torque? do want a lighter engine? Do you want to change oil? Or do you just want to mix some into the gas tank?
I'm devoted to 2-stroke power no matter what sort of machine it's in, for a single cylinder engine it's smoothness of torque, light weight, and power for displacement are hard to beat.
But that doesn't mean it's always the best choice.

[uts]

2 stroke for sure I say. They are actually easier to maintain. Who cares if they foul the odd plug just wack a new one in. The power is heaps better and you can get a lot of bottom end out of a 250 or 500. Though beware a 500cc 2 stroke is only for the hard core especially a CR500. You do have to rebuild the top end a lot more often on a 2 stroke though(not as often as a dealer will tell you though) but it is very easy.
Good luck

[calgary_redneck]

I have to disagree 4 stroke is the only sencable solution not only do you have a decent power curve but the engine has a much longer live span. Most of the net 4 strokes out are every bit as powerful as the 2 stokes are and only slightly heavier. Go with the 4 stroke and get the good fuel economy got torque curve long engine life and quitier engine operation and no premixing.

[volcomrider]

Ok i have a 2 stroke and it is awesome in pretty much everything. The only thing i ever had to do to it to make it better at trails is gear it down to a 50 tooth sproket (for easier technical riding). Now its pretty much perfect (for me). Oh ya the gas rumor is not completly true. My 2 stroke 80 goes about 70 miles on 1.5 gallons. I know the four strokes get even better but 70 miles is alot of riding. So i say 2 stroke all the way.

[goinbig]

I would definatly have to say 4 stroke if you are looking at mostly doing trail riding. People always say that 2 strokes are faster and everything, but my KLX 300 (which doesn't have a ton of mods) will beat a 250 off the line, and go up to about 100mph. WHile in the sand it is not as good, but on the trails, nothing beats it.

[MagicRat]

Okay folks, look at most 2 strokes these days. They are motocrossers. Race bikes, not trail machines! 2 strokes are less forgiving, less low end torque, peaky powerband and less easy to ride than a 4 stroke, especially in difficult terrain.
The 4 stroke is the better trail machine, the 2 stroke (usually) is the better race bike.