Posts
58
Joined
10/28/2011
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MO
US
Edited Date/Time
3/22/2018 5:46pm
I have been thinking lately, the AMA admits that when introducing 4 strokes that they killed the 2 stroke by allowing too large of displacement on 4 strokes.
Looking back what do you think would have been the correct size of 4 strokes in both classes so that both 4 strokes and 2 strokes could have remained competitive?
Looking back what do you think would have been the correct size of 4 strokes in both classes so that both 4 strokes and 2 strokes could have remained competitive?
Just by basic math, a 250F to 200F is a 20 percent reduction in engine size...a 20 percent reduction in power would put a stock 200F around 32HP and a full race bike close to 40HP...
300T/350F
250/250
The Shop
Up to 250cc
Up to 500cc
The extra power of the 2 stroke, is offset by the wide power band and easy delivery of the 4 stroke.
In Australia they were allowing 250 2T’sto race against 250 4T’s. Although marginally faster (in most drag races) and cheaper, the 2Ts didn’t dominate. As far as I’m aware.
I heard a commentator claim the top 250f’s are 52hp!
A lot cheaper to get 52hp out of a 250 stroker. Maintenance would be a fraction of the cost.
In the “up to 500” class. Choose 450 4t (big bore if you feel capable), or 250/300/ what you think you need 2T
CC for CC.
While the 4 stroke won't make the peak power a 2 stroke will, the powerband will be broader and easier to ride. The higher the power levels, the less the peak power numbers mean. A 50hp 4 stroke 450 will be easier to ride and arguably turn faster lap times than a 65 hp 2 stroke 500 (or 450 pinger), while in the smaller displacement classes the overall power becomes more important.
This means the 125 class would be all 2 strokes, while a 450 class would be almost all thumpers. The 250 class would be a smattering of both engine types, imo. I think it would make for really exciting racing.
and now with no japanese engineers driving inovation,
and thus competition.
we have no idea where a 2018 2 t would be in comparison to a 4t...
Make the support class a 150 class. 150 two-strokes and four-strokes are welcome. Any VP fuel available to the public is ok! Sleeve down 250Fs or design a new engine and plug into the existing chassis. Big-bore a 125, port and polish, and you are good to go.
Also have a support 450 class for privateers only.
If four-strokes are better machines, they won't have a problem running at equal displacement.
Factory riders are ineligible for Feld/AMA purse money. Funnel that money to non-factory supported riders (based on finishing positions) to help level the playing field. Rank and file riders need that money to get from race to race, proper training/nutrition/rest, insurance, equipment, and such. Elite factory riders do just fine with salaries, bonuses,endorsements, and the like.
They need to make the two classes what they have been all along. 125 and 250. And let the manufacture's figure it out from there. Don't manipulate the race series to accommodate the manufactures. Give them plenty of time to prepare to lessen the impact it will have on them. The racing will be better. The speeds will be slower. The sport will be a tad safer.
Pit Row
I believe it's just MX Sports that keeps the ridiculously outdated "Double-Displacement Rule" in Professional Racing.
I would think that C12 & MR12 would be preferable and affordable.
The 125 class should have capped four-strokes at around the same scale, at around 175ccs.
I just can't understand taking a sport that is expensive to begin with and making it more expensive. This benefits rich folks who can afford to race any machine they like, but people with less resources will be priced out of the sport. And at that point OEMs, promoters, and the aftermarket have less customers and have to increase prices to make up for it. It is a vicious cycle.
Just imagine if pee-wee racing went all four-stroke. How could parents afford it?
Where does it all end? Electric bikes? That would be better than four-strokes. Of course two-stroke racing was the best of all, all things considered.
200cc 2 stroke for the lites class is what I think would be ideal.
400cc 4 stroke should be max cc
In AMA amateur competition the 250 class is up to 250cc. Two stroke or four stroke. Been that way for a few years now and the four strokes continue to be winning most of the time.
I spend a lot of time on different bikes. I feel like HP should be capped somewhere around 45 with the development class, and 55 with the premier class. At the most.
If the parents and/or the OEMs and aftermarket stopped subsidizing amateur four-stroke racing, I'd wager a guess the two-strokes would be winning these amateur 250cc events.
Eventually there won't be enough paying participants to subsidize amateur four-stroke racing. And heaven help us if the energy drink money goes away.
Four-strokes took over because they are easier to ride. I'd rather ride a more challenging and less expensive machine. But people should buy what makes them happy. For all we know there is no afterlife, so we better get our riding in while we can.
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