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2 stroke or 4 stroke 2 stroke or 4 stroke
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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
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Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 25 Nov 2009
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2 stroke or 4 stroke
Sorry to ask this - I realise it is probably a matter of preference and there will be two schools of thought, but I was wondering if anyone could give me their views on a choice I have.

I want to buy a bike for riding both on and off-road and have found two bikes that interest me.

The first is a Honda XR 250cc and the other is a Yamaha DT 200cc. They both look in good condition and seem to ride well. The 4 stroke Honda is twice the price of the 2 stroke Yamaha, but both are affordable.

I am new to off-road bikes, so would appreciate any advice.

Thanks in advance.

Tom
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  #2  
Old 25 Nov 2009
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I would go with a 4 stroke.A 4 stroke is more reliable.A 4 stroke motor will last for ever if properly maintaned.I know when i used to have 2 stroke dirtbikes as a kid i would have to rebuild it every 2 years or so.
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  #3  
Old 25 Nov 2009
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4 stroke..
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  #4  
Old 25 Nov 2009
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I vote 2 stroke because everyone that rides off-road should have owned at least one 2 stroke. An added bonus is they are very simple and very easy to work on adding to your wrenching skills. I also prefer 2 stroke outboard motors. Even though it is a small 2 stroke it will have far better power than the 4 stroke. Having said this I have 2) 4 stroke dual sports just cause they are gas and go. Owned a DT360 back in the early 70's and it was one of the best bikes I have ever owned (40+ bikes).
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  #5  
Old 25 Nov 2009
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+ 1 on wot he said.....

2 stroke is so much simpler, lighter & fun in a smaller bike. No valves to gap and less to wear/break.

4 stroke more popular, due to "global warming" spin!!!!

Pays yer money & takes your choice.
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  #6  
Old 25 Nov 2009
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Owned 2 and 4 stroke, my vote will always go with 4 stroke.
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  #7  
Old 26 Nov 2009
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It's what you are used to. Personally I'd take an MZ anywhere for the reasons described above. You just don't get 23HP from a 290cc 4-stroke with that sort of simplicity. Once they start with power valves and assorted gubbins I walk away mind.

If you have to ask the 4-stroke is probably the safer bet.

Andy
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  #8  
Old 26 Nov 2009
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If you just want a quick blast off road at weekends you will get more power/cc (nearly double usually) from a 2 stroke but the trade off is a narrow power band and probably harder to go quick on for a novice.
If you want to go any distance I would say 4 stroke every time as they are more reliable.
A four stroke will work out cheaper to run as they are much more ecomomical and you don`t have to fork out for 2T oil which is VERY expensive for the decent stuff (which you should always use).
The only real way to find out what suits you is to try both.
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Old 26 Nov 2009
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Originally Posted by MarkShelley View Post
If you just want a quick blast off road at weekends you will get more power/cc (nearly double usually) from a 2 stroke but the trade off is a narrow power band and probably harder to go quick on for a novice.
four stroke will work out cheaper to run as they are much more ecomomical and you don`t have to fork out for 2T oil which is VERY expensive for the decent stuff (which you should always use).
The only real way to find out what suits you is to try both.
Two strokes don't necessarily have a narrow power band. It's all in how they are tunes. Granted, it's easy to tune a two-smoke for stonkin' power over a small rev range so thats what is often done, but all the top trials bikes used to be two-smoke in less politically correct days BECAUSE you could tune them for wide power bands and torque as well.

I've made my mind up years ago and I'm just waitning for the duck to line up. We are riding 2004 model TS185ER Suzuki two-strokes, for their simple design, reliability and pretty good fuel consumption. They are still making these bikes from 1978.

Regards

Nigel in NZ
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Old 26 Nov 2009
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It depends on what you want it for. 2 strokes can be amazing fun 'cos of the power/weight ratio. For pure fun 2 strokes used to be the best.. More recently tho 4 stroke bikes have been made lighter and more responsive so a moto x 4 stroke bike can be pure joy too..

If you want to ride really, really hard for a short while, have a great time and then spend a week fixing your bike, get a 2 stroke.

If you want to cruise about, ride a little bit hard for a while, still have a great time and then have to carry out regular maintenance on your bike, get a 4 stroke.

I've got an XR. They are bomb-proof if you look after them. Get the XR.
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Old 27 Nov 2009
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Since you want to go on and off road, it seems the leaning would be towards the xr. To be honest, I am not familiar with the Yamaha as we don't really have 2-strokes for riding in the U.S. like we had in the past, but if it is a dual sport like that Suzuki that Nigel Marx had a link to, then it should be okay.

4-strokes are proverbial "gas and go" machines, while 2-strokes will require the 2-stroke oil mix.

Ride both and see which will suit you better.
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  #12  
Old 27 Nov 2009
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Great advice
Thanks to everyone for their comments, they have really helped.

I think, given that I want it for dual purpose and am a novice at off-road riding, I will probably go for the 4 stroke. I can see though that with some more experience in both riding and mechanics, the 2 stroke could be a lot of fun though. Perhaps one for the future.

Cheers

Tom
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Old 27 Nov 2009
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Originally Posted by solomonfurious View Post
Thanks to everyone for their comments, they have really helped.

I think, given that I want it for dual purpose and am a novice at off-road riding, I will probably go for the 4 stroke. I can see though that with some more experience in both riding and mechanics, the 2 stroke could be a lot of fun though. Perhaps one for the future.

Cheers

Tom
You're conclusion sounds 'spot-on'
Although I prefer 4 strokes, 2 strokes can be fun, a 220KDX Kawasaki I had never made me ride quicker, it just got me to the accident quicker!
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  #14  
Old 27 Nov 2009
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Wait for the day your desmo-demonic valve shims need changing. I'll be out making blue smoke

Andy
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