2-stroke motorcycles. When were the smaller (250-350 cc) street bikes stopped.?

Question

I would like to buy a smaller fast street bike. I seem to remember that 2 strokes were faster than 4 strokes. Any model recommendations appreciated. I want an upright (not cafe) riding style. Thanks.

Answer 1

You are not going to get any answers in this section.  Look before you post.  Wrong section.

Answer 2

Wrong catagory,but I'm a two stroke lover.

Predominately and recently,the smaller two strokes are only offered in Japan as our emmisions standards prohibited this in Canada and the USA [especially california]

But lets talk old school ,ok?

Yamaha rd 350/400 are both fast bikes.[scary fast if you change the rear sprocket]

Kawasaki made the S series 2 strokes.I had a KH400

The S series ran from 350-500 in mass production yet a 250 and a bigger than 500 were available.

Suzuki made a bunch starting at 175 and up.The 750 water buffalo was thier most remembered though as the street king of the rideable two stroke wonders[labeled the water buffalo because it had a radiator almost the size of VW Rabbit]

All were great bikes but the frames on the Kawi's had a tendancy to bend under full acceleration.As well thier rear swingarm bushings needed replacing frequently.

Pound for pound the Kawi's ruled for speed /not handling[Yamaha won this]but as they are old and also two strokes, then  boring out the cylinders made them even faster and more noisy.[also more HP and torque]

The later better 2 strokes were the Rz's from Yamaha [ypvs valving]and the Suzuki rg500 Gamma.Or the Honda NS 400r

One can easilly change the handle bars on such a machine to make it less cafe racer like.

Just my thoughts shared,I hope you don't mind