Help! 2 Strokes or 4

**Southern Biker** · 6th October 2009, 16:55

I want to get a new bike something around the 2004 - 2006 mark, but the more I get into it the more confused I get as to whether I should get a 2 stroke or a four.
I initially wanted a YZF 450, but was told I should go 2 stroke for less parts and maintenance cost, I will only really be trail riding and I'm an intermediate rider. I like 2 strokers and I dont want to spend loads on maintenance but of course expect to have some budget for it. I guess it's like flipping a coin but the 2 strokes are getting less common it seems. Any thoughts, was this guy talkin through a hole in his tail pipe? what do you guy's reckon. 2 or 4?

Cheers.

**secondfield** · 6th October 2009, 17:00

Oh - oh here we go again! buy the 450 mate.

**hayd3n** · 6th October 2009, 17:01

2 strokes have little or no engine braking and youll have trouble downhills

**little.whittle** · 6th October 2009, 17:10

If you are going for the 'FUN' and thill of riding definatly go for the two strokes. Theyre more fun and more challenging to ride. They also much cheaper to maintain and if sumething goes wrong its not going to be worth it. buying a second hand older 4-stroke can be a bit dodgey because if it goes wrong its not going to be worth it to fix. 4-strokes are easyer to ride and get more grip and are easyer to ride faster.

I reckon 2stroke if you are trail riding etc. heres a couple..

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-234436661.htm This could be a bit too much brute power but are fun to ride. A exc could be ideal...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-244476733.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-245297110.htm

**green machine** · 6th October 2009, 17:24

Originally Posted by little.whittle

If you are going for the 'FUN' and thill of riding definatly go for the two strokes. Theyre more fun and more challenging to ride. They also much cheaper to maintain and if sumething goes wrong its not going to be worth it. buying a second hand older 4-stroke can be a bit dodgey because if it goes wrong its not going to be worth it to fix. 4-strokes are easyer to ride and get more grip and are easyer to ride faster.

I reckon 2stroke if you are trail riding etc. heres a couple..

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-234436661.htm This could be a bit too much brute power but are fun to ride. A exc could be ideal...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-244476733.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-245297110.htm

Well i have a 4 stroke and that's FUN and thrilling whittle....good luck with your choice mate,best to have a ride on a few different bikes if possible....because you're probably gonna end up more confused asking us......lots of one eyed riders on here

............and to quote secondfield,here we go again(sigh)

**little.whittle** · 6th October 2009, 17:33

Corse 4-strokes are still fun!

Just less challenging to ride. You should see if you can ride both of them to make your choice of what you like beta

**vr4king** · 6th October 2009, 19:13

Originally Posted by little.whittle

Corse 4-strokes are still fun!

Just less challenging to ride. You should see if you can ride both of them to make your choice of what you like beta

I beg to differ i have just came of a 1252t to 250f and to be honest i find it a pig to ride i felt more in controll on the 125.........My biggest issue is weight the 125 i felt i could point it in the right direction easier

there is no real answer to this Q get what you like and can afford to fix cause a bike broken in the shed that you cant afford to fix is really not that much fun and easy to ride

**Mumbles** · 6th October 2009, 19:18

2T - I'm still trying to get my head around it...

but fun fun fun

**barty5** · 6th October 2009, 20:31

yup here we go again the urban myth of 4ts cost more to rebuild total bollacks if you ask me sure parts might cost a little more but if your not racing it they will last twice as long piece a piss shit i only did my top end a 60 odd hours in which time ive seen some 2smokers used bout the same amount of time if not less going for their second rebuild which bring the costs to bout equal. as for the know how of doing it your self if you can read and can build a 2smoker then you can do a 4t just as easy just as many movin part when you take in to account the power valves etc etc with a 2smoker.

Buy what you feel most happy with riding at the end of the day make your own choice and dont make a choice on repair cost cause its not reallly an issue.

**Southern Biker** · 6th October 2009, 20:37

My last post went missing? anyway I got a 07 RMZ 250 in the end, who wants to go riding?

**Southern Biker** · 6th October 2009, 20:42

Originally Posted by barty5

yup here we go again the urban myth of 4ts cost more to rebuild total bollacks if you ask me sure parts might cost a little more but if your not racing it they will last twice as long piece a piss shit i only did my top end a 60 odd hours in which time ive seen some 2smokers used bout the same amount of time if not less going for their second rebuild which bring the costs to bout equal. as for the know how of doing it your self if you can read and can build a 2smoker then you can do a 4t just as easy just as many movin part when you take in to account the power valves etc etc with a 2smoker.

Buy what you feel most happy with riding at the end of the day make your own choice and dont make a choice on repair cost cause its not reallly an issue.

You make a damn good case Barty

**barty5** · 6th October 2009, 20:51

Originally Posted by Southern Biker

Good stuff lads, seems it really comes down to maintenance cost. I have ridden both although never owned a four. And the new fours are quite mean just the potential cost shits me. I am looking at a KTM300 EXC 2003 and a 2005 YZF 450. Arrrgh this is doing my head in. Guess I'll just have to bite the bullet and make a decision. I really just wanna hook up with a club or a crew and go on day/weekend/overnight rides so the thought of elec start and front lights has it's benefits eg the KTM. Maybe the question is whats the better bike for long trails river crossings overnight trips etc. Thanks heaps everyone for your comments.

only comment on this is they are both great bikes (i have an 08 yz450f) but when looking at my trade accounts for others who have asked for prices on parts there are a lot less aftermarket parts for the KTM range but in saying that dont let that be what makes up your mind either try them both out 1st

**flyingcr250** · 6th October 2009, 21:01

2stroke 2stroke 2stroke 2stroke 2stroke 2stroke 2stroke

just my 2c worth ha ha ha

**4stroke** · 6th October 2009, 21:05

Originally Posted by barty5

yup here we go again the urban myth of 4ts cost more to rebuild total bollacks if you ask me sure parts might cost a little more but if your not racing it they will last twice as long piece a piss shit i only did my top end a 60 odd hours in which time ive seen some 2smokers used bout the same amount of time if not less going for their second rebuild which bring the costs to bout equal. as for the know how of doing it your self if you can read and can build a 2smoker then you can do a 4t just as easy just as many movin part when you take in to account the power valves etc etc with a 2smoker.

Buy what you feel most happy with riding at the end of the day make your own choice and dont make a choice on repair cost cause its not reallly an issue.

and if you do the oil changes regularly you can go to 100 hrs before a top end rebuild, thats what my hondas did and the husky will be the same...