250cc 2-stroke OR 400cc?

[Biltong]

I have been reading some of the threads on the site and I have something to ask.

Is it better to buy a 250cc 2-stroke and fix it up for the track or would it be a better idea to do the same but with a 400cc?

I know that you can rev a 2-stroke higher, but isnt the 400cc more reliable? Will I get more speed and power from the 2-stoke or will a 400cc and 250cc 2-stroke perform the same?

Im really sorry if it sounds like a stupid question, but if I dont ask I will never know.

[Postie]

i love 2 strokes and i really wanted to get a RGV to race with, but after talking to a few people, i went for a 400 and got one of the best, a VFR.

[Cibby]

i love 2 strokes and i really wanted to get a RGV to race with, but after talking to a few people, i went for a 400 and got one of the best, a VFR.


same..

except i got a CBR :) :nya:

[Biohazard]

Oooooooooo nice question...

2 strokes for racing all the way...love the smell of dem two strokes...Mmmmm

RGV's rule (never had one, but always have a soft spot for 'em)..

Mind you the Aprilla 250's are shit hot beaties aswell..

Get the 2stroker and have fun....:blip:

:ride: :doobey:

[Karma]

i love 2 strokes and i really wanted to get a RGV to race with, but after talking to a few people, i went for a 400 and got one of the best, a VFR.

Same,

except I got a ZXR :D

[Biltong]

Ok, I see. So you guys think its better to go with the 400cc. Thanks for the help, you are very kind.

[Biltong]

Oooooooooo nice question...

2 strokes for racing all the way...love the smell of dem two strokes...Mmmmm

RGV's rule (never had one, but always have a soft spot for 'em)..

Mind you the Aprilla 250's are shit hot beaties aswell..

Get the 2stroker and have fun....:blip:

:ride: :doobey:

Now that is what I thought, 2-stokes are great for racing. Thanks for the advise.

[Postie]

the 4 strokes are far more reliable, if you travelled a whole weekend just to get to a race and you drop a valve, like is common on an RGV, your screwed unless you have a spare motor or parts to fix your newly aquired paper weight. Like i said, i love the 2 strokes but just don't want the problems they can have when racing. plus a 400 is a lot smoother to ride and they feel more solid.

[Biltong]

Thanks for the advise Weasel! It really helps!

[Karma]

Thanks for the advise Weasel! It really helps!

Erm... cheers :shifty:

[Biltong]

the 4 strokes are far more reliable, if you travelled a whole weekend just to get to a race and you drop a valve, like is common on an RGV, your screwed unless you have a spare motor or parts to fix your newly aquired paper weight. Like i said, i love the 2 strokes but just don't want the problems they can have when racing. plus a 400 is a lot smoother to ride and they feel more solid.

Now you just bashed the nail on the head! That is what I thought, the
400cc might be the better choice and I really like the sound of the 400cc!
Thanks man!

[Cibby]

Erm... cheers :shifty:


yeah i know.. he seems really nice huh?

Very polite.

almost to polite..

think he is trying to take over the world?

[Str8 Jacket]

Two stroke all the way... Not that im biased or anything!

[Biltong]

yeah i know.. he seems really nice huh?

Very polite.

almost to polite..

think he is trying to take over the world?

Yes he is very polite! If he does take over the world, he must allow us to use the motorways once a week for a big isle of man type race!

[Sniper]

South African chap like you should know. 2 strokes are great, but hard on maintenance and you need to know what you are dojng to own one IMHO.

The 400 wont let you down

[Biltong]

Two stroke all the way... Not that im biased or anything!

You are allowed to speak your mind! Thanks for the advise.

[Biltong]

South African chap like you should know. 2 strokes are great, but hard on maintenance and you need to know what you are dojng to own one IMHO.

The 400 wont let you down

That makes sense, and the thing is I have more experience with 4-stroke bikes(I had a XT500 back in SA). Thanks for the advise.

[Str8 Jacket]

Cheers Biltong, I dont hear that very often! lol

Everyone is correct in saying that they are hard maintenance-wise though. Two strokes come with their own little brain and if they dont wanna go they wont. But when they are good, they're awesome!

[FzerozeroT]

I've had both a VFR400 and an RGV250, the RGV felt more like a racebike (IMHO) in that it was flickable etc. and you could get it sliding and still feel sweet. the VFR is definitely a better roadbike when you want to just cruise but when it starts to go pear shaped it gives you a hell of a fright. admittedly the VFR is the heaviest of all the 400's and TS didn't seem to have much of a problem turning his ZXR faster than an RGV round a track.

[Biltong]

Cheers Biltong, I dont hear that very often! lol

Everyone is correct in saying that they are hard maintenance-wise though. Two strokes come with their own little brain and if they dont wanna go they wont. But when they are good, they're awesome!

You are most welcome! Two stroke are really great if the setup is great. Thanks for speaking your mind.

[Biltong]

I've had both a VFR400 and an RGV250, the RGV felt more like a racebike (IMHO) in that it was flickable etc. and you could get it sliding and still feel sweet. the VFR is definitely a better roadbike when you want to just cruise but when it starts to go pear shaped it gives you a hell of a fright. admittedly the VFR is the heaviest of all the 400's and TS didn't seem to have much of a problem turning his ZXR faster than an RGV round a track.

Thanks man! I think it would be a good choice to go with the 400cc!

[Biohazard]

tiz easier to rebuild a two stroke in a back of a van than rebuilding a 4 stroke engine...

but the choice is yours m8 - no matter which way you decide you will always be left wondering "what if". Dont rush into it....

However if its was me...2 stroke for the track and a good 'ol 4 stroke for the road.....

[Biltong]

tiz easier to rebuild a two stroke in a back of a van than rebuilding a 4 stroke engine...

but the choice is yours m8 - no matter which way you decide you will always be left wondering "what if". Dont rush into it....

However if its was me...2 stroke for the track and a good 'ol 4 stroke for the road.....

That is also true. At the moment I am not looking for a bike to take on the road, I want a bike just for the track. I cant rush into it even it I wanted to, I dont have the funds right now to buy a bike, so it will not be happening very soon.

Thanks for your opinion.

[Hoon]

I've raced both the RGV250 and 400cc and I recommend going for a 400cc if you are a beginner.
400cc are more reliable, easier to maintain, better starts, more parts and easier to get power out of. The 250cc has better cornering and brakes though.
2-strokes wear out faster so a 1991 2-stroke will need more work than an equivalent 4-stroke.

Just look at any F3 grid to see how 2-strokes fare - you'd be lucky to see a couple of them. Paul Buckley is the only person I've seen recently to place well with a 2-stroke.

[Biltong]

Thanks a lot Hoon! It really helps to hear from someone who has been on both the bikes. Yes when it comes to riding on the track I am a beginner, I think in total I have done 8 laps on Kyalami in South Africa, so I think I still have a lot to learn.

Thanks a lot Hoon!

[Two Smoker]

400 are far more reliable, and in the long run you can get more hp out of them than a 250 twostroke in F3 rules... whithout too many mods you can have a 400 up around the 60-65hp mark... two stokes take alot of maintainence and are quite peaky in their power...

Personally best race bike choice is a ZXR400...

[Two Smoker]

I've raced both the RGV250 and 400cc and I recommend going for a 400cc if you are a beginner.
400cc are more reliable, easier to maintain, better starts, more parts and easier to get power out of. The 250cc has better cornering and brakes though.
2-strokes wear out faster so a 1991 2-stroke will need more work than an equivalent 4-stroke.

Just look at any F3 grid to see how 2-strokes fare - you'd be lucky to see a couple of them. Paul Buckley is the only person I've seen recently to place well with a 2-stroke.

Hoon ya bastard you beat me to it... How was the ZXR at puke?? noticibly different to yours???

[HDTboy]

How much are you looking to spend? I could sell you my 400

[Motu]

2 strokes are race bikes - take any racing class anywhere - the only reason 4 strokes can beat them is because the rules make it that way.MotoGP would still be 2 stroke if they didn't kick them out by force - can you imagine what a 990cc 2 stroke would do out there?

As someone who works on engines for my daily bread - give me a 2 stroke anyday,there is just so much ''stuff' on a 4 cyl 4 stroke....more things to go wrong.

You don't want anything to go wrong when you're racing now do you?

[Mr. Peanut]

NSR 250 SE - Same power after basic modifcations as the 400.
Much less weight and far easier to fix. Two carbs to set up not four, two valves, not 16, dry clutch...

It was actually built as a race bike first and a road bike second.

Get an NSR for racing and you wont regret it. :second:

[Biltong]

Thanks for the offer HDTboy, but I cant buy a bike right now.

[Biltong]

2 strokes are race bikes - take any racing class anywhere - the only reason 4 strokes can beat them is because the rules make it that way.MotoGP would still be 2 stroke if they didn't kick them out by force - can you imagine what a 990cc 2 stroke would do out there?

As someone who works on engines for my daily bread - give me a 2 stroke anyday,there is just so much ''stuff' on a 4 cyl 4 stroke....more things to go wrong.

You don't want anything to go wrong when you're racing now do you?

Thanks man! I will keep that in mind, thanks for the advise.

[Mr. Peanut]

more parts and easier to get power out of. . Really? :blah:

[Biltong]

Thanks for the advise MrPeanut!

[FROSTY]

actually Ill throw cat in withy ya birdies---Id suggest a 650 V twin.
Why? well stock they put out 65hp for the carbied model and 75 for the injected.
they are all relatively young--all 99-2006 models so the parts are all fairly unworn.
and um look at the national level race results--650 twins leading
and i heard tell some prick on a 650 twin won the auck club champs too

[Biltong]

actually Ill throw cat in withy ya birdies---Id suggest a 650 V twin.
Why? well stock they put out 65hp for the carbied model and 75 for the injected.
they are all relatively young--all 99-2006 models so the parts are all fairly unworn.
and um look at the national level race results--650 twins leading
and i heard tell some prick on a 650 twin won the auck club champs too

Yes I wonder who that prick was that won the club champs(wink, wink)! The thing is frosty, i dont have enough skill to start of with a 650cc(or the money), so it will have to be a 250 2-stroke or 400. Thanks for your advise.

[magg]

I've got a 2-stroke MVX 250 (Honda) for sale . Gr8 for racing, etc..,

[Biltong]

I've got a 2-stroke MVX 250 (Honda) for sale . Gr8 for racing, etc..,

Thanks for the offer, but I cant buy a bike right now.

[Bonez]

Don't forget 400 singles. Cheap, light, reliable and FUN with a capitol "F" on tight back country roads.:yes:

[Biltong]

Don't forget 400 singles. Cheap, light, reliable and FUN with a capitol "F" on tight back country roads.:yes:

I know all about singles, I use to own a XT500. Lots of fun!!

[Bonez]

I know all about singles, I use to own a XT500. Lots of fun!!Nice looking toy here- http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=60643308

[nadroj]

I know that you can rev a 2-stroke higher,

Why is it people think a 2 stroke revs higher when in fact they don't. May be cos they fire every revolution so they give the impression they are revving higher.

[Biltong]

Why is it people think a 2 stroke revs higher when in fact they don't. May be cos they fire every revolution so they give the impression they are revving higher.

Thanks for the info man.

[Biltong]

Nice looking toy here- http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=60643308

Thats a great looking toy!

[iluvbikz]

Gee i must be unwell, i agree with evrything that has been said on this thread :rockon: lol

[Biltong]

Gee i must be unwell, i agree with evrything that has been said on this thread :rockon: lol

That is strange, it doesnt happen very often!