Y are 4stroke motocross bikes so much more popular than 2strokes?

Question

Y are 4stroke motocross bikes so much more popular than 2strokes?

Answer 1

Well, first of all, the EPA is pressing to eliminate 2-strokes period. Secondly, they are easier to ride. Although they way slightly more than the 2-stroke of its class, the smoother powerband allows the rider to keep from fighting traction through corners. Also, the 4-stroke has a lot smoother power curve all the way up to the rev limiter and the abruptness of over-rev is almost eliminated.

Answer 2

I don't actually have a clue, I'm just guessing.

In racing, probably because of the unfair conditions in which they let the two classes compete. I hear that when grouping the bike sizes to classes they usually give 4-strokes a small advantage, so racers logically go with 4-strokes. I don't know why they do it, probably they think it will calm down the environmentalists (although having only 4-strokes has practically no impact at all, while making the sports more boring - my point of view.)

If 2-strokes lose popularity in racing, they lose popularity with the masses, and so manufacturers produce less 2-strokes and more 4-strokes. Other reasons why many people go for 4-strokes are probably because they are easier for learning to ride and they are more reliable, i.e. need less maintenance (although overall I think they are still more expensive.) In general, with a 4-stroke you probably save yourself a lot of dirty work here and there, but you pay a performance price for it! Plus, why go Motocrossing if you don't want to get your hands dirty? ;)

Plus there are some stupid, stupid people and governments who actually try, or even have succeeded at, banning 2-strokes. And all that because the exhaust fumes of 2-strokes are a bit more visible than those of 4-strokes. They don't care that it doesn't really have an impact, they just want to do something that makes them feel like they have done something. It's totally thick. I'd choose a 2-stroke over a 4-stroke anytime, nothing can compare to their feeling, sound and smell! I don't understand how people can resist the 2-stroke charm...

Answer 3

1st off 4 stroke's require less maintenance than 2 strokes. 2nd a 450cc allows for more torque and quicker response in and out of corners. 3rd 4 strokes don't have a power band like a 2 stroke giving you hard quick top end burst and more powerful low end power need for a jump or a hill climb.

Answer 4

They are not as pushy as mabye a 2 stroke.

Answer 5

The most simple answer I can give you is that 2 strokes have more of a sudden response when the throttle is applied, kind of like the bike is just trying to lunge out from underneath you.

4 strokes are quite the opposite. They normally have double the cc's of the 2 stroke but the way the power is transferred to the ground is where the difference is. 4 strokes have a ultra smooth power band and it makes them much easier and more comfortable to ride. Since 4 strokes have evolved in the last 10 years, they have gotten much lighter, they don't have near as much engine braking as they used to...

I'd say the only downside to the 4 stroke would be the the noise issue but it doesn't appear the manufacturers are jumping on that as fast as they should.

All of the positives beat the negatives so thats why I think 4 strokes have become so much more popular.

Answer 6

It's all about response.  Two strokes have a quicker response from 1-3, but four strokes will kill any others from 3-5.  They're meant for motocross, not supercross.  Meaning, if you get a good straight away and you're not in the air constantly, it will outperform two strokes because of the response in the second half of the gears.  The reasoning behind it mechanically, I can't explain.  You'd have to hop on www.transworldmotocross.com and ask that question.  One of the techs will be glad to answer that for you.

Answer 7

I have a simple response.  It all started about 10 years ago when the EPA started putting pressure on the motorcycle industry to do away with 2-cycle engines.  All major motorcyle industries have been making non-motocross type 4-strokes for trail riding and off road racing but serious racers always drove to the 2-strokes.  Yamaha got the trend going when they made the YZF 400 and then upgraded that to the YZF 450.  You can thank Doug Henry for demonstrating that you can have success on the 4-stroke.  The "Big-4" slowly made the 4-stroke motocrosser top agenda and in the last 4-5 years the push for all top pro factory racers to ride the 4-strokes is finally complete.  When I saw Carmichle switching to the 450 4-stroke I knew that the 2-stroke era was over.  The 4-strokes are popular now simply because the motocycle industry has made it this way.  The EPA even wants things such as chain saws, weed eaters and such to be 4-strokes.  Times are a changing.

Answer 8

because 4 is bigger than 2.