2 stroke or 4 stroke?? Were is it going??

JARATMXFREAK
Edited Date/Time 3/4/2013 6:47pm
I have ridden both 2stroke and 4strokes and I reckon they both have pretty sick traits. What are your thoughts?

I have decided to stick to 2stroke as for mechanical convenience.

But my mates don't even service their 4strokes and they power threw the ages.
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ky_savage
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ky_savage 7/9/2011 2:35am
7/9/2011 2:35am Edited Date/Time 7/9/2011 2:36am
I'd stick with the 2 stroke. If your mates aren't servicing their bikes, then you'll be the last man riding.
JB 19
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JB 19 7/9/2011 5:41am
7/9/2011 5:41am
Rudeboy119
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Rudeboy119 7/9/2011 8:30am
7/9/2011 8:30am
2 stroke for me. less cost, more power, and I can maintain it myself.

The Shop

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bvm111
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bvm111 7/9/2011 10:30am
7/9/2011 10:30am
I just returned from Afghanistan and I am finally going to start riding again after a 10 year break, no one can tell me it’s too dangerous anymore after what I have been through!

I have only owned 2 strokes, but, I have ridden my friends 4 strokes through the years and they are awesome machines with SO much torque. After a lot of thought and watching my buddy blow his 2009 KX450 up I have decided I will buy a 2 stroke. I have not decided on the new 2012 KTM 250SX or a 05 - 07 KX250? I am leaning to the KX250, I came from Kawasaki’s and know how to work on them, and for around 2800 I can get a really clean late model and then I can throw 2000 grand worth of the Pro Circuit catalog at it and have a sweet bike better than I ever would have had when I was racing and it’s still less than the KTM, however, the KTM is really sweet so I am torn!
Shawn142
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Shawn142 7/9/2011 10:52am
7/9/2011 10:52am Edited Date/Time 7/9/2011 10:54am
bvm111 wrote:
I just returned from Afghanistan and I am finally going to start riding again after a 10 year break, no one can tell me it’s too...
I just returned from Afghanistan and I am finally going to start riding again after a 10 year break, no one can tell me it’s too dangerous anymore after what I have been through!

I have only owned 2 strokes, but, I have ridden my friends 4 strokes through the years and they are awesome machines with SO much torque. After a lot of thought and watching my buddy blow his 2009 KX450 up I have decided I will buy a 2 stroke. I have not decided on the new 2012 KTM 250SX or a 05 - 07 KX250? I am leaning to the KX250, I came from Kawasaki’s and know how to work on them, and for around 2800 I can get a really clean late model and then I can throw 2000 grand worth of the Pro Circuit catalog at it and have a sweet bike better than I ever would have had when I was racing and it’s still less than the KTM, however, the KTM is really sweet so I am torn!
Honestly I'd go with the KTM given those 2 choices. A lot of these used 2-strokes that are half a decade old sound like good deals, but they cost you a lot extra of that money you saved up-front on the price. I paid 1600 for a CR in not so amazing condition and invested maybe another 3 or 4 grand into it since then refinishing almost everything to get it where I like it. And even modified it's still not as fast or light as the KTM. I'd personally save myself the hassle and buy new. You're supporting a company that still develops their 2-strokes.
calimxer91
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calimxer91 7/9/2011 11:06am
7/9/2011 11:06am
Hard to ride all the new bikes and get an impression.

KTM is having ride days sometimes, and would definitely get to one,givin the oppurtunity.

Loved my Kawis in the past ,therefore looking at the 2012 .Nothing previous though.

Holding on to my bikes now ,until i'm convinced.
burn1986
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burn1986 7/9/2011 12:16pm
7/9/2011 12:16pm Edited Date/Time 7/9/2011 12:20pm
Well, obviously there's a lot of unknowns in Shawn's scenario. 3 or 4 grand on an old CR? Why did you spend so much on an old bike? You could probably find a one or two year old KTM SX for that whole price. A 250 2-stroke is simply not as fast a 450. A 250 2-stroke is lighter than a 450, duh. The only way to make your 2-stroke as fast as a 450 is to up the displacement. But this is nowhere near 3 or 4 grand. You could also combine this with a flywheel weight to broaden out the power and you can get pretty close to 4-stroke type power.

Whether you get a 4-stroke or 2-stroke is just rider preference. I'm sure you've heard all the arguments for both.
JustPuttinAround 7/9/2011 12:17pm
7/9/2011 12:17pm
Go to MXA's website and read Jody's "Manifesto."
IMO that makes the subject pretty clear.
TOYE180
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TOYE180 7/9/2011 12:59pm
7/9/2011 12:59pm
JARATMXFREAK wrote:
I have ridden both 2stroke and 4strokes and I reckon they both have pretty sick traits. What are your thoughts? I have decided to stick to...
I have ridden both 2stroke and 4strokes and I reckon they both have pretty sick traits. What are your thoughts?

I have decided to stick to 2stroke as for mechanical convenience.

But my mates don't even service their 4strokes and they power threw the ages.
STFU!
OW38B
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OW38B 7/9/2011 1:07pm
7/9/2011 1:07pm
TOYE180 wrote:
STFU!
Nice.......8 total posts and you throw that out there? Danm.
aFACEdismembered 7/9/2011 1:13pm
7/9/2011 1:13pm
bvm111 wrote:
I just returned from Afghanistan and I am finally going to start riding again after a 10 year break, no one can tell me it’s too...
I just returned from Afghanistan and I am finally going to start riding again after a 10 year break, no one can tell me it’s too dangerous anymore after what I have been through!

I have only owned 2 strokes, but, I have ridden my friends 4 strokes through the years and they are awesome machines with SO much torque. After a lot of thought and watching my buddy blow his 2009 KX450 up I have decided I will buy a 2 stroke. I have not decided on the new 2012 KTM 250SX or a 05 - 07 KX250? I am leaning to the KX250, I came from Kawasaki’s and know how to work on them, and for around 2800 I can get a really clean late model and then I can throw 2000 grand worth of the Pro Circuit catalog at it and have a sweet bike better than I ever would have had when I was racing and it’s still less than the KTM, however, the KTM is really sweet so I am torn!
Im in the process of doing just this. Bought a 05 kx 250 after finally, for the third time in 4 rides, blowing up my 250f for the last time. After swapping some stuff from my 250f and putting a fresh top end in it in about an hour its good to go. Start easy even when hot or flooded. I still feel like im about to blow it up each time I ride it but once I get used to the vibration it feels like normal. Gear it short and you can almost ride it like a 250f out of the corners and still not come close to 5th gear on a track (it hits 120 foot tables in 4th easy).
bvm111
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bvm111 7/9/2011 1:56pm
7/9/2011 1:56pm
bvm111 wrote:
I just returned from Afghanistan and I am finally going to start riding again after a 10 year break, no one can tell me it’s too...
I just returned from Afghanistan and I am finally going to start riding again after a 10 year break, no one can tell me it’s too dangerous anymore after what I have been through!

I have only owned 2 strokes, but, I have ridden my friends 4 strokes through the years and they are awesome machines with SO much torque. After a lot of thought and watching my buddy blow his 2009 KX450 up I have decided I will buy a 2 stroke. I have not decided on the new 2012 KTM 250SX or a 05 - 07 KX250? I am leaning to the KX250, I came from Kawasaki’s and know how to work on them, and for around 2800 I can get a really clean late model and then I can throw 2000 grand worth of the Pro Circuit catalog at it and have a sweet bike better than I ever would have had when I was racing and it’s still less than the KTM, however, the KTM is really sweet so I am torn!
aFACEdismembered wrote:
Im in the process of doing just this. Bought a 05 kx 250 after finally, for the third time in 4 rides, blowing up my 250f...
Im in the process of doing just this. Bought a 05 kx 250 after finally, for the third time in 4 rides, blowing up my 250f for the last time. After swapping some stuff from my 250f and putting a fresh top end in it in about an hour its good to go. Start easy even when hot or flooded. I still feel like im about to blow it up each time I ride it but once I get used to the vibration it feels like normal. Gear it short and you can almost ride it like a 250f out of the corners and still not come close to 5th gear on a track (it hits 120 foot tables in 4th easy).
I was on a 2000 KX250 when I was still racing before I broke my right scaphoid /Navicular in 2000, I loved that bike! I had a 50T rear sprocket, pro circuit pipe and shorty silencer and milled head and I could ride almost the whole track (canyon raceway or speed world in phoenix) in third gear and I was a pretty "ok" intermediate! I agree I could roll the throttle on early through the corners just like the four strokes but with a stab of the clutch I could rip like a traditional 2 stroke through tight stuff and tricky rhythm sections it really was the best of both worlds for me!

At this point I just want to start riding again and I think going back to what was familiar is the best thing for me… and if I do make it out to the track it will be just for the fun of riding not trying to prove anything to my buddies!
CamP
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CamP 7/9/2011 2:12pm
7/9/2011 2:12pm
If you buy a used bike, look for the one that still has the original tires on it.
queen of spodes 7/9/2011 2:44pm
7/9/2011 2:44pm
JustPuttinAround wrote:
Go to MXA's website and read Jody's "Manifesto."
IMO that makes the subject pretty clear.
Jody Weisel is a fraud.
ATKpilot99
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ATKpilot99 7/9/2011 2:55pm
7/9/2011 2:55pm
JustPuttinAround wrote:
Go to MXA's website and read Jody's "Manifesto."
IMO that makes the subject pretty clear.
queen of spodes wrote:
Jody Weisel is a fraud.
Explain
bigborefan
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bigborefan 7/9/2011 3:02pm
7/9/2011 3:02pm
JustPuttinAround wrote:
Go to MXA's website and read Jody's "Manifesto."
IMO that makes the subject pretty clear.
queen of spodes wrote:
Jody Weisel is a fraud.
Is he guy form Glen Helen Action Magazine? Or does he write for Pro Circuit Action Magazine?
Overdrive
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Overdrive 7/9/2011 3:05pm
7/9/2011 3:05pm
bvm111 wrote:
I just returned from Afghanistan and I am finally going to start riding again after a 10 year break, no one can tell me it’s too...
I just returned from Afghanistan and I am finally going to start riding again after a 10 year break, no one can tell me it’s too dangerous anymore after what I have been through!

I have only owned 2 strokes, but, I have ridden my friends 4 strokes through the years and they are awesome machines with SO much torque. After a lot of thought and watching my buddy blow his 2009 KX450 up I have decided I will buy a 2 stroke. I have not decided on the new 2012 KTM 250SX or a 05 - 07 KX250? I am leaning to the KX250, I came from Kawasaki’s and know how to work on them, and for around 2800 I can get a really clean late model and then I can throw 2000 grand worth of the Pro Circuit catalog at it and have a sweet bike better than I ever would have had when I was racing and it’s still less than the KTM, however, the KTM is really sweet so I am torn!
Thank you for your service!

I just picked up an 04 rm 250 with only about 10 hours on it for $2000, its a great bike and rides just like new. I think your heading in the right direction with the KX 250, you will have a great time and won't spend a ton if something breaks. If you do decide you want to smoke the 450's then throw on a 300 kit and you will have no problem. Just keep your eye out and you will run across some really great deals on 250's, just be sure to look around and pick up something with low hours on it.

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Rudeboy119
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Rudeboy119 7/9/2011 3:09pm
7/9/2011 3:09pm
bvm111 wrote:
I just returned from Afghanistan and I am finally going to start riding again after a 10 year break, no one can tell me it’s too...
I just returned from Afghanistan and I am finally going to start riding again after a 10 year break, no one can tell me it’s too dangerous anymore after what I have been through!

I have only owned 2 strokes, but, I have ridden my friends 4 strokes through the years and they are awesome machines with SO much torque. After a lot of thought and watching my buddy blow his 2009 KX450 up I have decided I will buy a 2 stroke. I have not decided on the new 2012 KTM 250SX or a 05 - 07 KX250? I am leaning to the KX250, I came from Kawasaki’s and know how to work on them, and for around 2800 I can get a really clean late model and then I can throw 2000 grand worth of the Pro Circuit catalog at it and have a sweet bike better than I ever would have had when I was racing and it’s still less than the KTM, however, the KTM is really sweet so I am torn!
you;ve already answered you're own question. And thankyou for you're service!
mxb2
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mxb2 7/9/2011 5:20pm
7/9/2011 5:20pm
Buy new support the cause!
keeptwostrokesalive 7/9/2011 6:13pm
7/9/2011 6:13pm
bvm111 wrote:
I just returned from Afghanistan and I am finally going to start riding again after a 10 year break, no one can tell me it’s too...
I just returned from Afghanistan and I am finally going to start riding again after a 10 year break, no one can tell me it’s too dangerous anymore after what I have been through!

I have only owned 2 strokes, but, I have ridden my friends 4 strokes through the years and they are awesome machines with SO much torque. After a lot of thought and watching my buddy blow his 2009 KX450 up I have decided I will buy a 2 stroke. I have not decided on the new 2012 KTM 250SX or a 05 - 07 KX250? I am leaning to the KX250, I came from Kawasaki’s and know how to work on them, and for around 2800 I can get a really clean late model and then I can throw 2000 grand worth of the Pro Circuit catalog at it and have a sweet bike better than I ever would have had when I was racing and it’s still less than the KTM, however, the KTM is really sweet so I am torn!
I have a 06 kx250 and the bike is great. I wish i could get the pro circuit linkage arm to lower the back end though. Other than that the bike has plenty of power and so much fun to ride.
Thumper Pilot 7/9/2011 6:36pm
7/9/2011 6:36pm
bvm, get a brand new bike, you certainly deserve one (thank you for your service).

If you're gonna be riding in the dry of las vegas, you might appreciate the 4S and how it works on that kind of soil. Back east where there's great, moist soil, a two stroke would be so sweet. But on hard pack, dry tracks its night-and-day better on a 4stroke.

I don't worry much about stories of people that have blown up their 4s, I've owned a 450cc blue one new since 2004 and virtually all my buddies have converted to 4strokes and the only issues we've seen are on ones that are red, if you know what I mean. Change the oil every 3 or so hours religiously, no issues. But yes, when it's time to do a motor overhaul, piston and rings are not enough, it'll be about $750. But, for the type of riding you're talking about doing, you may never need to do it (as long as you buy a blue bike Wink )

Of course, there's always the CR500AF if you're feeling really adventurous...
Faceaz
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Faceaz 7/9/2011 7:07pm
7/9/2011 7:07pm
Hopefully back to 2 stroke. I have a feeling within a few years there will be equal demand for both. Hopefully they will add a "nostalgia" race or something at the nationals with 2 strokes, between the 1st & 2nd heats.
unknownmxr 7/9/2011 9:04pm
7/9/2011 9:04pm
stock tires are c r a p . They look like off the shelf tires, but the compound is too hard.
andymoto
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andymoto 7/9/2011 11:32pm
7/9/2011 11:32pm
Just have fun and thank you for your service to our country n have a blast on whatever you want.

Thank you again and happy riding.
bvm111
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bvm111 7/10/2011 12:12am
7/10/2011 12:12am
Thumper Pilot wrote:
bvm, get a brand new bike, you certainly deserve one (thank you for your service). If you're gonna be riding in the dry of las vegas...
bvm, get a brand new bike, you certainly deserve one (thank you for your service).

If you're gonna be riding in the dry of las vegas, you might appreciate the 4S and how it works on that kind of soil. Back east where there's great, moist soil, a two stroke would be so sweet. But on hard pack, dry tracks its night-and-day better on a 4stroke.

I don't worry much about stories of people that have blown up their 4s, I've owned a 450cc blue one new since 2004 and virtually all my buddies have converted to 4strokes and the only issues we've seen are on ones that are red, if you know what I mean. Change the oil every 3 or so hours religiously, no issues. But yes, when it's time to do a motor overhaul, piston and rings are not enough, it'll be about $750. But, for the type of riding you're talking about doing, you may never need to do it (as long as you buy a blue bike Wink )

Of course, there's always the CR500AF if you're feeling really adventurous...
First of all to everyone thank you for your support to our service members, myself included. I tried to post as much as I could this last year and I even was able to watch a few of the races online, but if not I always read the moto discussions posted by ocscottie afterward since I always seemed to be on mission when the races were actually being run the past few months!

I grew up in Phoenix so the hard dry conditions are what I am used to and is not a problem for me. I just found out I will be transferred up to the Reno/Tahoe area so other than the elevation the soil should be about the same as here. The exciting thing for me is that I will be close to the Northern California tracks I have never had a chance to ride and since I have never actually attended a national next year I will for sure go to Hangtown!

I have my eye on a 2007 KX 250 for around 3000 in Phoenix and will be going to look at it next week when I go to visit the folks in Fountain Hills and pick up one of my vehicles they stored for me! All I can say is that I feel like i did when I was 16 and looking in the magazines at all the procircuit stuff, except now I can afford it!

Thanks again guys for the support it was a hell of a year over there and as crazy as this place is it was good to come here to keep my mind off all the stupid stuff we went through on a day to day basis!
T Man 345 7/10/2011 1:55am
7/10/2011 1:55am
I grew up riding 2 strokes. I stopped riding for a whiles right when 4 strokes became the thing in MX. When i started riding again a few years back, i got myself a YZ250 and LOVED it. But everyone had 4 strokes, like, i was regularly the only 2 stroke at the track. A really nice CRF450 came up for sale, so i grabbed it. I rode it for 6 months but just couldn`t bind with it. I hopped back on the two stroke and had so much fun on it, that i sold off the CRF and decided to be a 2 stroke guy. The maintenance thing really had nothing to do with it. I just felt so at home on the 2 stroke, rode "faster" on it, and had 10 x the fun on it. Perhaps if i gave the 4 stroke more time we may have bonded. But, i just wanna put gas in and ride, not have to re learn how to. /2 cents.
Shawn142
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Shawn142 7/10/2011 3:07am
7/10/2011 3:07am Edited Date/Time 7/10/2011 5:19am
burn1986 wrote:
Well, obviously there's a lot of unknowns in Shawn's scenario. 3 or 4 grand on an old CR? Why did you spend so much on an...
Well, obviously there's a lot of unknowns in Shawn's scenario. 3 or 4 grand on an old CR? Why did you spend so much on an old bike? You could probably find a one or two year old KTM SX for that whole price. A 250 2-stroke is simply not as fast a 450. A 250 2-stroke is lighter than a 450, duh. The only way to make your 2-stroke as fast as a 450 is to up the displacement. But this is nowhere near 3 or 4 grand. You could also combine this with a flywheel weight to broaden out the power and you can get pretty close to 4-stroke type power.

Whether you get a 4-stroke or 2-stroke is just rider preference. I'm sure you've heard all the arguments for both.
Between a full motor-side rebuild (crank, rod, piston, rings, bearings, and gasket kit) and suspension (springs, revalve, seals, new fluids) there's already a good portion of that. The rest was either stuff to refreshen or improve it. New wheel set, complete new bearing set, reed cage, easy adjustment clutch perch, tires/chain/sprockets, handlebars, plastics, ect. It all adds up fast. Why? Well hell, why even ride if you're gonna ask that question. I didn't drop 20 grand building a street rod like most guys looking for a project to tinker with. And we're not talking that old, it's the last generation frame. Not a 90s model or anything.

I don't really believe you can find an 09ish KTM 250SX for that price either, mainly because I couldn't find a 250SX for sale period. People hold on to those things.
machine
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machine 7/10/2011 5:26am
7/10/2011 5:26am
I don't really believe you can find an 09ish KTM 250SX for that price either, mainly because I couldn't find a 250SX for sale period. People hold on to those things.




Nope, I'm not selling my 09, so don't ask.......Tongue
Spartacus
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Spartacus 7/10/2011 6:19am
7/10/2011 6:19am
I'm getting a new 2012 4T 'cause my mommy and daddy are going to pay for it.

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