2 stroke vs 4 stroke

I think this forum speaks for itself. As of today there are about 8200 posts in the 2 stroke forum and 1800 in the 4 stroke. Granted there are positive "post" in both but from what I have read in the last couple of months most are members wanting help with some kind of problem. I have the Stanton friction kit with the R/S 4 stroke engine and I have made it 175 miles with absolutely no problems. No I don't go 40 mph but 20 mph is about as fast as I want to hit the asphalt or T-Bone a car.

Granted the China 2 stroke is a sexier looking engine but if you want to be sexy buy a Harley. If you want to go ride or commute on something that is reliable then go with a 4 stroke and a chain or belt setup to a freewheel hub.

I can already hear the argument about cost. $150.00 verses $500.00. After reading hundreds of post the experts say to replace all studs, replace all gaskets, buy a new muffler (some $70.00), modify clutch linkage, buy a double pull brake lever, upgrade the chain, upgrade the chain tensioner, upgrade all motor mounts and hardware, upgrade the spark plug, use synthetic oil and the list goes on and on. By the time you do all or part of this you have more money invested than you would have in a reliable 4 stroke setup. If you enjoy working on things more than using them then I understand your argument.

This is just my $0.02 worth. Don't mean to make anybody mad but I have limited time to ride my bike and I find it very enjoyable. I want to know that it is ready when I am. So far I don't worry about how far I am from home because I have yet to have to push it back.

Ut1205 AMEN brother! Well said! You speaky englis muy bueno! LOL I need a life.

Lemme just say a few things here... I'm sure there are about 8200 posts in the 2 stroke forum and 1800 in the 4 stroke, NOT because the 2 strokes have more problems, but because they are more popular & so many more people have purchased them!
We have 8200 inexperienced mechanics asking about their 2 strokes & only 1800 inexperienced mechanics asking about their 4's... It's not because the 4's are nessesarily any better in quality.
Does that make sense?

Next, the 4 strokes are also made in china & use the exact same cheap bolts!
I have built many of the 2's (& 4's), & I never recommend replacing any of the stock hardware...(except for the plug & wire)... From all my experience with them, the stock parts work just fine! What I DO recommend is that you don't over torque the bolts! ANY bolt can strip or snap if you over torque it.

Anyways... that's my 2 cents. (& 2 strokes & cruisers rule!!! haha!)

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Other then changing my spark plug, and running synthetic oil, with over 8,000 miles I have done none of those things?

I did change my pipe but thats was just for the Death Race, the stock is already back on it. And it did not cost $70..it was free

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Four strokes sound cooler and smell better, and between whats better lets take a look at classic motorcycles, which was more popular of the trail bikes? The 4-stroke Honda trail 90/110, or the 2-stroke Kawasaki g4/g5?

I think the 2 strokes sound waaaaaay cooler after you hog out the pipe!!! (They get that dirt bike cackle!)

But anyways, I'll shut up & let other people talk now...

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Thanks for the replies. Looks like I have "ruffled a couple of feathers" with this post. That was not my intention.

My point is the "typical buyer" of these China 2 stroke kits are inexperienced mechanics and think that they are buying a "Motor Scooter in a box". They are high school or college students or others wanting to commute 5-10 miles per day to their job. They are not professional technicians. If you build motorized bicycles for resale or ride in the "Death Race" I don't think you fall into this catagory. You are the "Professionals".

There are kits available from Stanton or Golden Eagle with quality 4 stroke Honda or R/S engines or quality 2 stroke such as Tanka that would meet the needs of the "typical user" of a "motor scooter in a box". Do they cost more? Yes, but you get what you pay for. After I recieved my Stanton kit
($399.00 with free shipping) I was up and riding in a couple of hours.

Again, thanks for the replies. I believe that the best value is not in the price but in the quality of the product you purchase.

BTW I think R/S engines are built in Japan, same place my Toyota Prius was built.

If someone built a 4 stroke with the same basic design as the HT. Just added enough to the front of the motor for the cam and a jug with valves built in but somehow kept it narrow. I think you'd see a big leap in 4 stroke sales. You also have to consider a 4 stroke has to be mounted much more level or then you get into oil pumps and dry sumps etc. It's the low in frame mounting that makes the 2 stroke HT so popular (and the price) Most small dirt bikes are 2 strokes cause you can get more power for the small displacment if you really want to. The HT motors are purposely way de-tuned. There's a ton more 2 strokes out there than 4 strokes so ya there's alot more 2 stroke questions. For me I like the HT motor. The simplicity of it let's me tinker with it really easy. And this is still a bike. As fun as they are they can't replace a car for everything.

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I am pro 2 smoke for my application but would just like to say I am finding the bulky expansion chamber a pain in the rear. Of all my motorcycles that I have owned a two stroke (yamaha wr200) ranks top aswell.

I've read more then once, longer rides on a 2 could damage the motor. Definitly not on a 4.