General Discussion Forum

ok all of u that ride 4 strokes, why do you like them so much, they are heavy & in my opion arent as fun to ride. i know that they are "quieter"... not really but they seem like it, some scientific reason! lol. & you dont have to mix gas but they are soo heavy! i just dont get why everyone is switching to 4 strokes when 2 strokes are so much more FUN to ride, come on, the reason we ride is because its fun, the racing & everything is just another plus.

Who says 2-strokes are more fun to ride. It all depends on who your talking to.  I think you should go out and ride the 4-stroke equivalent to your YZ 125.  And I don't think they're all that heavy. I weigh a 155 lbs and have no problem with my YZF 250. 

So why the preference? Well I compare 2-strokes to import sports cars and 4-strokes to muscle cars.  2-strokes like import sports cars are really quick and snappy but not a lot of raw power. 4-strokes have raw power all around.  I like to have that deeper raw power. 

yeah, and i dont know who told you 4-strokes are slow but i got a KTM 250 SX-F thats beggin to have some little cute blonde girl to hang on the back of me for dear life as i show her what 4-strokes are made of.

Hi Sweetie,

Sorry to here about your bike. I’m glad you are OK though.

I guess the reason I like my 450X is because of all the low end you have on tap. You can be a little lazy with the throttle and clutch and still just roll it on and away you go. And I really like the E button. You are right about it being heavy and I am looking for a new bike (see CRF250F thread in Tech) because of that to race next year. BUT, I love my X because of all the low end and ease of ridingness and forgivability (new words I just made up). The 250Fs do not weigh that much more than the 125s as with the 450Fs and 250s. They are real close to the same weight (probably within 10 lbs.).

According to the Honda web site, here are the weights (Dry) for 07:

CRF450R – 218.5

CR250R – 213

CRF250R – 204

CR125R – 197

Here are the Suzuki weights (Dry):

RMZ450 – 220

RM 250 – 212

RMZ250 – 203

RM125 - 192

As you can see, the weight is real close, all under 10 lbs. As advances are made in metallurgy technology weight will continue to drop. With the Government moving to ban 2 strokes from public lands, that leaves 4 strokes for the masses. I do not believe that the manufactures will supply 2 strokes to a country that only has them legal for closed course racing for very long. I hope that I am wrong, as I like the pingers as well as the thumpers. And being the rebel that I am, I will weigh the 2 stroke option heavily before they are gone.

Anyway there is my opinion, and you are welcome to it.   

Why do people continue to bring this subject up, it's been beat to death a thousand times. Just ride what you like, thats what it's about... RIDING!!! Not what kind of bike.

Oh yea, I'm a 2-stroker too...05' YZ250

Hey, Yamahasweetie, I'm not sure where you get that the 4 strokes are so heavy from, I was just looking over some specs for the RMZ450 (4 stroke) and the RM250 (2 stroke). The RM250 has a dry weight of 212lbs and the RMZ450 has a dry weight of 220, thats only 8 pounds difference! 8 pounds is the same as one gallon of water, if weight is a deciding factor ride only with a half tank of fuel to even up the weight issue. (the tank is 2.1 gallons, so if you take out half you just took off the 8 pounds). And thats before you put on a lightweight exhaust which could save another 4 pounds. I'll have to go look at the 125 vs 250f weights but I think its about the same.

If you look back, I already did that.

Here are a few issues that I share when asked this question, and it has been asked several times but here goes. The four stroke powerplant produces a power curve that increases more gradualy leading to a smoother acceleration with out the violent feeling that you get with a two stroke and it means that powering thru mudd and slick blue pack tends to be more controled. I have also found that while doing Hawaiin hill climbs that the powerband is also favorable to long uphills in lose terrain and with less rpms becouse of the torque leaving me with a much easier task to accomplish and when the need arrises I can open it all the way and have the displacement and power advantage. I feel the four stroke is a much more controled power giving the rider the ability to expect a consistant outcome everytime that I go to the track. It does have the obvious drawback of more repair/maint costs but this is a issue that comes with every positive upgrade in any field.

         

I must have been writing my post about the same time, the actual post is only 10 minutes after yours, and I had jumped over to the Suzuki website in the middle of it to assure I was giving correct info, and I got sidetracked there then came back and finished my post. Be assured I wasn't attempting to steal your answer, but it looks as though we were on the same page on that one point.

i dont think sweetie was trying to debate just get the "thumpers" to explain thrill and fun of a four stroke racer. (when as I agree with sweetie you have the flickibility and feel of a two stroke"

okay the last part was just meant to annoy, so none "flip out" ok?

The 4 stroke has the torqe and the ability to put more power to the ground. Without spinning your back tire. And you always know what your throttel is going to do! I know I used to ride one. Its easyer. And Alot of fun. And if i were young and wanted to race, I would buy a YZ450f. Because thats the only way to be compedetiv. They are structualy re doing the tracks  for the 4 strokes. And alot of people feel COMFY on the 4s. ANd thats cool. But IIII love the SNAP POWER of the 2. AND if i miss juge it sometimes..........OH WELL. I LOVE IT!!!! Thats what is cool about the 2 stroke. You had better be on your toes when riding a yz125 or 250 or RM250!! The front end will come up in every gear. And the power band will make you #### your pants! And anyone who says 10lbs is nothing. never rode a dirt bike in the woods! Its kids who say that and never rode a 140 pound bike in the woods.A 4 stroke is NOW the way to go because they put more power to the ground with less throttle controle. Thats the bottom line. The rider dont have to shift as much and can bring it to its rev point and still hit the jump. I like like the power and snap and the fact that your throttle is still in controle . NOT YOU!!!  2 stroke 4 ever!!!!  

i felt the exact same way. I had a kx125 and never thought of buying a 250f becuase i thought "They arent better there heavy and loud and not as powerful as a 125." Boy was i wrong! True they are heavier, but they are so much easier to ride on the track its amazing. They never bog down where 125s do. You can take a sharp corner in 3rd gear and still have enough torque and rpm to pick up speed. Its way easier to get over obstacles and its not as bad if you miss a gear like on a 125. So i think you should find someone who has a 250f and try it out!  

Your right Brian, the 250f provides a little more relaxed riding style with the torque and your not constantly pegging gears to keep going. My CRF has got me up so many big hills and over so many jumps in the wrong gear that I can barely take credit for even holding the throttle. They are very stable and controled feeling and have a roll on power to get thru alot of situations with little stress. BTW what year did your buddy leave you?

         

ur still that desperate huh pumpkin. lol.

so they got more bottom end power. but what u guys are saying is that any old hoedunk hillbilly could ride one. so they just erase like ALL the challenge & fun about riding. clutch & throttle & shifting is what its all about, and 4 strokes kind of make evrything so much easier, like ATVS. yeah you dont have to work as hard but the way im seeing it is,,, they are making it easier to ride & less challenging. personally i ride for the challenge, and fun. i dont kno, maybe the 250 4 strokes r awesome, but the only 4 strokes ive rode, were slow, non-responsive, heavy machines. i like to have a lil bit of "zip" behind me that i can let go at a moments notice.