People keep telling me to get a 2 stroke

volcarius

volcarius

Member
I’m not sure what I should choose. I really like the predator 79cc and I’ve spent a lot of time researching 4 strokes and parts to upgrade the predator and stuff like that. But people keep telling me 2 strokes are faster, smaller, lighter, easier, and whatever. I don’t really care if it’s faster or easier. This is going to be my first build but I kinds of also want it to be my last, like I want to keep improving it forever. People are telling me to not be “afraid” of oil mixing?? Idrk why people are saying that but I just think it would be inconvenient. I like 4 strokes and it’s more familiar because I took automotive a few years ago. I like that 4 strokes are quieter, you can put straight gas into them, they’re more fuel efficient and more clean burning, you don’t have to pedal start, and I think they just look cooler too. What are your guys’ opinions on 2 strokes vs 4 strokes? What I’m planning to build isn’t from a kit. To be honest I’ll probably still get the predator unless someone really really convinces me 2 strokes are the better option for me.
 
volcarius said:
I’m not sure what I should choose. I really like the predator 79cc and I’ve spent a lot of time researching 4 strokes and parts to upgrade the predator and stuff like that. But people keep telling me 2 strokes are faster, smaller, lighter, easier, and whatever. I don’t really care if it’s faster or easier. This is going to be my first build but I kinds of also want it to be my last, like I want to keep improving it forever. People are telling me to not be “afraid” of oil mixing?? Idrk why people are saying that but I just think it would be inconvenient. I like 4 strokes and it’s more familiar because I took automotive a few years ago. I like that 4 strokes are quieter, you can put straight gas into them, they’re more fuel efficient and more clean burning, you don’t have to pedal start, and I think they just look cooler too. What are your guys’ opinions on 2 strokes vs 4 strokes? What I’m planning to build isn’t from a kit. To be honest I’ll probably still get the predator unless someone really really convinces me 2 strokes are the better option for me.
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What many long time MB riders have done is build several bikes for different purposes. Over the years I've helped local people put their bikes together. With the manufactured ebike explosion; self-built gas powered bikes are becoming less and less common.

As for my own Personal use I've only owned 2 bikes and 1 kit. The kit outlasted the bike and got put on another frame (kit 16 yo over 6000 hours of use). The former LandRider and now the Sidewinder.



What's important is you build what makes you happy and best serves your needs. The first bike the LandRider shifted engine driven gears automatically. People told me it wouldn't work. Yet I road the bike for 10 years. The Sidewinder drives a bicycle 3x7 systems. I was told 21 gears was way to many gears. So I had to educate people by teaching that they don't have 21 gears but rather 21 different shifting combinations. Many of these shifting combinations are redundant. On a 3x7 bicycle you have 12 sequential non-reduntant shifting gears. So I developed a 1 handed duel derailleur color coded shifting system. The Sidewinder has 9 sequential non-reduntant gears. It has 3 hill climbing gears; 3 general use gears; and 3 open road gears.

I've shared this to let you know don't let people limit you. Just see the boundary between practicality and creativity.
 
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Sidewinder Jerry said:
What many long time MB riders have done is build several bikes for different purposes. Over the years I've helped local people put their bikes together. With the manufactured ebike explosion; self-built gas powered bikes are becoming less and less common.

As for my own Personal use I've only owned 2 bikes and 1 kit. The kit outlasted the bike and got put on another frame (kit 16 yo over 6000 hours of use). The former LandRider and now the Sidewinder.



What's important is you build what makes you happy and best serves your needs. The first bike the LandRider shifted engine driven gears automatically. People told me it wouldn't work. Yet I road the bike for 10 years. The Sidewinder drives a bicycle 3x7 systems. I was told 21 gears was way to many gears. So I had to educate people by teaching that they don't have 21 gears but rather 21 different shifting combinations. Many of these shifting combinations are redundant. On a 3x7 bicycle you have 12 sequential non-reduntant shifting gears. So I developed a 1 handed duel derailleur color coded shifting system. The Sidewinder has 9 sequential non-reduntant gears. It has 3 hill climbing gears; 3 general use gears; and 3 open road gears.

I've shared this to let you know don't let people limit you. Just see the boundary between practicality and creativity.
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Amazing the kit outlasted the bike, your builds look really cool :D I like that you name them. Super cool you have a color coded shifting system I’ve never heard of anything like that before. I think I’m gonna do what I like and stay with the predator, I hope this’ll be a forever project like I’m imagining it.
 
volcarius said:
Amazing the kit outlasted the bike, your builds look really cool :D I like that you name them. Super cool you have a color coded shifting system I’ve never heard of anything like that before. I think I’m gonna do what I like and stay with the predator, I hope this’ll be a forever project like I’m imagining it.
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The 2-stroke vs 4-stroke debate is a long one... :confused:
I've built many of each & they're all fun!, but for a first time builder, I'd go with the 2-stroke just to learn... Building a big Predator 4-stroke bike can be very complicated.

An added bonus is that the 2-stroke kit comes with all the parts you're going to need... The 4-strokes are a 'part by part' build that can get very expensive, & there's also the problem (for new builders) of buying parts that don't fit. :(

One more thing... The 79cc Predators are gutless!!!! a 2-stroke is much more powerful.
 
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Venice Motor Bikes said:
The 2-stroke vs 4-stroke debate is a long one... :confused:
I've built many of each & they're all fun!, but for a first time builder, I'd go with the 2-stroke just to learn... Building a big Predator 4-stroke bike can be very complicated.

An added bonus is that the 2-stroke kit comes with all the parts you're going to need... The 4-strokes are a 'part by part' build that can get very expensive, & there's also the problem (for new builders) of buying parts that don't fit. :(

One more thing... The 79cc Predators are gutless!!!! a 2-stroke is much more powerful.
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What does gutless mean?
 
Venice Motor Bikes said:
The 2-stroke vs 4-stroke debate is a long one... :confused:
I've built many of each & they're all fun!, but for a first time builder, I'd go with the 2-stroke just to learn... Building a big Predator 4-stroke bike can be very complicated.

An added bonus is that the 2-stroke kit comes with all the parts you're going to need... The 4-strokes are a 'part by part' build that can get very expensive, & there's also the problem (for new builders) of buying parts that don't fit. :(

One more thing... The 79cc Predators are gutless!!!! a 2-stroke is much more powerful.
Click to expand...
I got the predator last night and I think I’m happy with it :) I really like it and I can’t wait to get it running and installed in my bike. I don’t think I would’ve been happy with a 2 stroke, but I’m a very picky person so kinda hard to please. I’m making sure to double or triple check that everything is compatible, and if it’s too expensive I can wait a bit for a part. I’m doing a lot of research to make sure I don’t mess up too bad, I think I’m happy with my choice so far, but we’ll see. Once I get this bike put together and reliable enough for me, maybe I’ll build a two stroke, but I think right now this is right for me. I think you’re right that for most people a 2 stroke kit would be better, but because I’m just super picky I believe I made the right choice. If I didn’t like my engine, I probably would lose interest in building the bike. Most people would probably be really happy with a 2 stroke kit but for now I like my predator :D
 
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