2-stroke primed for a come back?

**steveyb** · 17th June 2009, 10:51

http://www.tz250racing.com/cgi-bin/f...1;&#entry32048

**javawocky** · 17th June 2009, 11:34

More Torque
More Power
More Efficiency
More Light
More Reliable
More Fun

I can't see the downside

I love the sound of a smoker, but will I miss the engine braking of the mighty V-twin and the lovely drown as you tap off? Mmm, hard one.

**xwhatsit** · 17th June 2009, 11:52

Yeah but they won't be the two-strokes we all love. The whole point of the article seems to be saying how Orbital is going to build a two-stroke that goes like a four-stroke... only faster.

So no more smell and smoke. No more wildly outrageous peaky power that comes on in a rush and makes your heart beat faster.

Have a look at the dyno curves in the article... they compare a 450 4T to a 450 2T. The 2T is a little bit above the 4T (not by a huge amount though) and produces a fatter torque curve. They say they're going to use bigger capacities (4T-style capacities) and then tune it mildly.

So it's great of course. Like you said, more power, more torque, more efficient than a 4T... but it's not going to have quite the same appeal as an RD250LC.

**javawocky** · 17th June 2009, 12:29

Don't forget that the weight of a 2 stroke is still lighter than the 4 stroke, so the thrill factor will still be higher.

I am sure with the savaging exhaust you are still going to get they typical sound. Not sure about the ringing and popping though.

As far as the smoke goes, I don't really care about that, I just like the performance

**xwhatsit** · 17th June 2009, 12:35

Originally Posted by javawocky

As far as the smoke goes, I don't really care about that, I just like the performance

I'm slow and shit and the performance frightens me... so I just want the sound and smoke and the impression I'm a lunatic on a rocket

Hear hear for the light weight, though. Maybe we'll finally see some interesting 125, 250 and 350 sport bikes again.

**nudemetalz** · 19th June 2009, 12:21

hmmmm....I remember riding RZ & RG500's back in the '90s.

Won't be like them that had 4 pipes smoking and the shrieking exhaust note while trying to hang on to a light front end that's tank slapping all over the place.
Oh the memories !!

**Cleve** · 19th June 2009, 13:48

Originally Posted by nudemetalz

hmmmm....I remember riding RZ & RG500's back in the '90s.

Won't be like them that had 4 pipes smoking and the shrieking exhaust note while trying to hang on to a light front end that's tank slapping all over the place.
Oh the memories !!

Ha ha. I have similar memories of riding an RG500 street bike in the late 80's and racing it around Bay Park...

**Shaun** · 19th June 2009, 13:53

2 strokes are dead. Long live the half strokers

**Skunk** · 19th June 2009, 13:59

Originally Posted by Shaun

2 strokes are dead. Long live the half strokers

Two strokers are for riders...

**Shaun** · 19th June 2009, 14:30

Originally Posted by Skunk

Two strokers are for riders...

Good luck in the modern world then

**malcy25** · 19th June 2009, 14:49

If 4 strokes are the wife, 2 strokes are the mistress!

**Maido** · 19th June 2009, 14:59

Originally Posted by Shaun

2 strokes are dead. Long live the half strokers

^^^^ this!

**CookMySock** · 19th June 2009, 15:37

With modern oils, no 2 stroke should piss smoke everywhere anyway.. thats just a carry-over from days gone by, when if it DIDN'T piss smoke everywhere, you had forgot to mix the oil in the fuel.. Running 100:1 Amsoil I get NO smoke at any time, bar none. Most people are horrified - it's great.

Steve