The marketing hype has convinced people that the four-stroke is superior.
I never believed the four stroke was superior. I switched (unfortunately) because the
rules gave the four strokes the advantage. I had to spend a ton of money on engine
work just to make my 250 competitive while my competition could use a box stock
engine that produced the same horsepower and had a mellower power delivery. That
power and powerband allowed a rider with less skill and conditioning to compete and
even win occasionally. So, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.
I raced CRFs for four years. My cost went up and my fun went down. After a couple
of spectacular crashes caused by engine failures/seizures, I had enough - being laid up
for six months will do that to you.
This goes back to the same root cause, the unfair displacement advantage given to 4ts.
It's been two years since I last rode/raced. I managed to sell all of my CRFs and all the
four stroke specific parts. When I finally get the courage to jump back on that horse, it
will be on a CR. In the meantime, I keep busy building and restoring bikes.
Message to the big four, the only four stroke I will ever ride again will be my John Deere
lawnmower.
dogger