"The bikes are better, handling, suspension and power.
Kind of contradicting yourself. Sorry to bust your theory but it isnt just the riders."
No, I'm not contradicting myself. You said it was just the 4 strokes. Even 2 strokes, like the KTM 250SX is faster than it was back in the 90's. Try riding a 99 KTM 250SX, CR250, RM250, YZ250, KX250 compared to a 2012 250SX and get back to me, about how they are the same. Bikes in general are better today then back in the late 90's. Fact.
4 strokes is not the key. It's evolution of our sport. Riders and bikes both. Give every one of the 450F guys a 350cc 2 stroke, and they will be just as fast. So saying a 4 stroke is the reason is just delusional. Now, saying it's unfair rules, then maybe. But I still stand behind my point about the riders are faster. I would not qualify for the night qualifiers today, even on my fastest day, on a 450.