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Humboldt, CA
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urbanlift707
11/24/2013 10:40pm
11/24/2013 10:40pm
Edited Date/Time
12/2/2019 1:19pm
So someone tell me again how 4 strokes cost more to ride/race than 2 strokes. Don't get me wrong I love smokers too, I just don't understand the argument that they are killing the sport and cost more to ride. Racing 250 two strokes I would get about 50 hrs outta a top end and it would cost me around $200 to replace that. I would also burn up a clutch in 50 hrs at another $100-150. My cranks would go at around 100 hrs and would be a top and bottom end at that point and cost $1000 to get back up to steam. Don't even start with me about 125's.....
On my 450 I replace my piston at 80hr, not cause I need one like I would on my two stroke(at 50 hrs), but just cause I feel like I should. It cost me $275, my clutch is fine cause it's a fing 450 and you don't need to clutch with all that torque. I've lost my bottom end on my last three 450's at around 130 hrs, at that point I do a bottom end, as well as a piston and cylinder to the tune of around $1,200. Maybe I'm lucky but I've owned a new 450 every year since 07 all with over 100 hrs and I've never touched a valve.
I usually sell my bikes around 150 hrs, the 250 has cost me about $2,000,three top ends, three clutches and one bottom end. At 150hrs my 450's cost me about $1,400.
Honestly I love both bikes, as each are a blast to ride, I've just never understood the cost argument.
On my 450 I replace my piston at 80hr, not cause I need one like I would on my two stroke(at 50 hrs), but just cause I feel like I should. It cost me $275, my clutch is fine cause it's a fing 450 and you don't need to clutch with all that torque. I've lost my bottom end on my last three 450's at around 130 hrs, at that point I do a bottom end, as well as a piston and cylinder to the tune of around $1,200. Maybe I'm lucky but I've owned a new 450 every year since 07 all with over 100 hrs and I've never touched a valve.
I usually sell my bikes around 150 hrs, the 250 has cost me about $2,000,three top ends, three clutches and one bottom end. At 150hrs my 450's cost me about $1,400.
Honestly I love both bikes, as each are a blast to ride, I've just never understood the cost argument.
The Shop
I have been fortunate never to blow an engine, sounds like you have too.
Perhaps they are more reliable than the two stoke but when it fails, it will give you headache.
I'm going to read this thread periodically to see the 2-stroke mafia tell you that you are wrong haha
Either way, it's cool in your case you seem to be making out pretty well comparing the two. They are all fun as hell to rip on a track.
The reason people love the low 2 stroke cost is because the MX engines are made for performance rather then durability like let's say a Honda 650XR (low HP mono, runs forever). Engines of an MX bike wil blow eventually, 2 or 4 stroke it does not matter. The thing is WHEN it blows (and i mean blows, everything including the case is chewed up. So your looking on CL for a casehalf or for a welder/machineshop), the smoker is 1/3rd cheaper to overhaul then the 4stroke.
Add to that, every guy can do a smoker rebuild in his shed, the rebuild of a stroker is allot more complicated for the average joe. People also have kids to feed and a wife to maintain. Unexpected costs have to be as low as possible. Riding MX and keeping low unexpected costs are not going well togeather... So the smoker is the best answer for that.
If you're buying a new stoker every year then you're avoiding the engine failures most of the time, but your bikes cost allot since the resale value of a stroker is pretty low. (over here atleast)
I have nothing against strokers, i had 2 before and im riding a KTM 690 as dual sport. Thing is that 690 is bulletproof compared to MX strokers. For MX i'l have my cheap 2500$ smoker because i'm not up for dumping 10k every year for a 450 that i can't even hold on to.
I've had three 450Fs, and two of the three all needed new valves/head recut in addition to piston when I got them.
This was obviously due to maintenance neglect on the part of POs. Are you saying you haven't had to adjust a valve, or haven't checked them?
Just curious, have you been on the same brand this whole time? Because if you have, I'm going to buy that brand if I ever buy another 450!
The tin foil hat wearers can keep crying.....
Conversely, of my five two strokes, I managed to blow up all but the 125 I sold before I put more than 5 hours on. Every time I have blown up a two stroke I have damaged the cylinder plating, crank, and of course, piston. I have never found any reasoning behind this, as the bikes were pretty much stock with the possible exception of a pipe. The longest I have ever run a piston on a 125 was 15 hours, and a 250 28 hours before it blew. So to rebuild these bikes you are looking at $480 (price for a top & bottom end kit from motosport), plus the cost of either replating a cylinder or replacing it ($300-500).
With that being said, I like my 250 two stroke. It's fast, handles well, and has a unique feeling to it. Quite frankly though, I trust my four strokes far more. Regardless of which one I'm on I seem to have fun though.
Pit Row
Guess Ive been lucky...
My 2009 was a similar experience.
only reason i ask is since i bought my 300, i have over 50 (realistically 30) hours on it. we're moto-bros, everything is more and bigger than in reality. a 60 foot table turns to a 90 foot supercross triple pretty fuckin' quickly depending on the participants of the conversation (and when i say participants i mean the blonde in the SRH shirt you're trying to panty drop).
CLT809, no offense but i'm calling bullshit... 28 hours on a 250 is all you could muster? do you have an ocean front property for sale in Arizona too, bruh?
I follow my manual pretty closely and I believe it saves money. The guys that designed, built, and tested that engine wrote it. I think they have a good idea of when things wear and are going to need inspected/replaced.
"100 hrs and I've never touched a valve" If you have never touched or adjusted a valved at 100hrs with several bikes you are lucky I think. An exception to the rule as TerryK said.
I'd say your assumption is wrong and you're talking out of your ass.
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