450s maybe set to become 350s?

**Paulus** · 28th December 2007, 08:40

Looks like they are thinking of changing the 450cc 4 stroke class down to 350cc. Should make the 250 2 strokes a lot more competitive again if they do. Maybe Honda will regret ditching its 2 strokes so early.

http://www.mcnews.com.au/NewsArchive...s_numbered.htm
http://www.motorcycledaily.com/23december07_why350.htm

**laRIKin** · 28th December 2007, 09:26

All I can say, it's about time they evened up things again.

It was getting far to expensive for some to race the four strokes.
I wonder if there was a drop in racing numbers to change there minds as it did in the 125/250 class.

You should be able to pick up some good second hand 450's soon, still good for trail riding.

**xwhatsit** · 28th December 2007, 10:33

Originally Posted by Paulus

Maybe Honda will regret ditching its 2 strokes so early.

Lol I don't think so, it's just not in the culture, right from the beginning;

It was March 1951 when Honda summoned Kiyoshi Kawashima from Hamamatsu. “‘Kawashima, would you mind coming over for a moment?’ It was the beginning of a two-month stint in the capital as I worked on the design of the E-Type 4-stroke engine in a corner of the Tokyo Plant,” said Kawashima. “When the plans were at last ready the Old Man dashed in to see it, bringing Fujisawa, with him.”

Kawashima can remember clearly that day in May 1951.

“As he showed the plans to Fujisawa, Mr. Honda gave us an enthusiastic commentary: ‘Ah, I see. You have this kind of valve and the cam goes like that. This is what I call an engine, it isn’t just a 2-stroke machine that looks as though it’s been cut from a bamboo tube with holes drilled. This will sell. Honda will do well with this!’ Mr. Fujisawa didn’t have any understanding of the plans, he didn’t know anything about mechanical things at all, so he just said things like ‘Hm, yes, that’s great,’” said Kawashima, laughing.

**cheese** · 28th December 2007, 11:27

You can still buy the CR new, its just not changed from 06. Who knows they might start up again.

**Buddy L** · 28th December 2007, 12:56

Originally Posted by Paulus

Looks like they are thinking of changing the 450cc 4 stroke class down to 350cc. Should make the 250 2 strokes a lot more competitive again if they do.

http://www.mcnews.com.au/NewsArchive...s_numbered.htm
http://www.motorcycledaily.com/23december07_why350.htm

don't think so.
they already have the 2 stroke 250 class running in with the 250 4 stokes, and the small bore 4 stroke comes out on top.

during the recent AMA on some of the tracks the mx2 class (250 4t) were doing faster lap times then the open mx1 class(450 4t).

**Paulus** · 28th December 2007, 13:21

Originally Posted by Buddy L

don't think so.
they already have the 2 stroke 250 class running in with the 250 4 stokes, and the small bore 4 stroke comes out on top.

during the recent AMA on some of the tracks the mx2 class (250 4t) were doing faster lap times then the open mx1 class(450 4t).

I guess the 250 4 stroke class would be next to be reduced - maybe down to 200cc?

I grew up with Honda CRs (2 stroke ones) so I am saddened to see them go. The 250 4 stroke may be faster but it is nowhere near as much fun!

**NordieBoy** · 28th December 2007, 14:03

Originally Posted by Buddy L

don't think so.
they already have the 2 stroke 250 class running in with the 250 4 stokes, and the small bore 4 stroke comes out on top.

during the recent AMA on some of the tracks the mx2 class (250 4t) were doing faster lap times then the open mx1 class(450 4t).

Because the tracks suit the 4t bikes better and don't allow the 450's to open up and use 70-80hp?

You can already run 144cc 2t bikes in the 250 4t class in the AMA.

**umka** · 28th December 2007, 14:50

144cc doesnt really matter coz the 250cc 2t in NZ are on a par or less effective than the 250 4t.

**CaMo** · 29th December 2007, 09:43

I think it all comes down to the riders ability and nowadays most of the real good guys seem to have gone 4-stroke?? Just look at RC in that earlier thread. You can't tell me he will be faster on a 4 stroke 250

**Motu** · 29th December 2007, 10:29

Small bikes have always been faster - back in the good old days Open Class was a farce,most riders used a 250 as they were faster around the tracks than a big bore.They gave the 4 strokes a huge margin over the 2 strokes to make them competitive,now the thumpers have been developed to make them faster,so time for some more parity again.Why don't they just face facts - size for size a 2 stroke will just shit on a thumper...live with it.

**CaMo** · 29th December 2007, 13:36

I reckon if you had the same budget to make a bike you could probably make a more faster and reliable 2 stroke than 4. whether it would be more rideable is a different story...