Topics

1

General Two Stroke Talk / Cycle World makes it official

« on: April 08, 2011, 09:32:33 AM »

http://blog.cycleworld.com/2011/04/four-stroke-dirtbikes-the-new-reality-by-kevin-cameron/

No less an authority than Kevin Cameron, technical guru for Cycle World magazine, writes what we've been saying for years now - that 4 stroke motocross was a bad idea. But is it too late to change?

2

General Two Stroke Talk / Once again, because it's worth repeating

« on: July 27, 2010, 06:46:27 AM »

It's been decreed that it is UNFAIR to race equal displacement 4 stroke versus 2 stroke.

4 strokes, given a displacement handicap to compensate for the unfairness, dominate 2 strokes.

The domination is so complete that it has caused the near extinction of the 2 stroke machine

Riders, Magazines, and Manufacturers then trumpet the superiority of the handicapped 4 stroke.

In summary: 4 strokes cannot win on even terms, but when given a handicap are lauded for their superiority = PRETZEL LOGIC

3

General Two Stroke Talk / 4 strokes are a business decision

« on: July 23, 2010, 06:49:00 AM »

Observe the two sets of top end photos, one from a 2007 CRF450R and the other a 2007 CR250R. I counted 118 parts for the 4 stroke and 40 for the 2 stroke. It's a stark reminder that there's up to 68 more parts for a 4 stroke top end rebuild that a company can make profit on. And some of those are VERY expensive parts. It's a business decision that is keeping the 4 stroke juggernaut rolling. Perhaps the somewhat more parts-intensive Direct Injected 2 stroke motors will turn things around?

4

General Two Stroke Talk / MORE FUN vs. EASIER TO RIDE

« on: May 21, 2010, 09:12:03 AM »

The displacement handicap still makes it apples to oranges, but working with what we're given (250F vs 125T, 450F vs 250T) riding the two types of bikes have come down to this - easier (4T) vs funner (2T). Forget about cost, and maintenance, and hard starting etc., for this thread lets just concentrate on around-the-track impressions. Is fun what motocross is truly all about? Or is it all about finding the easiest way around the track??

5

General Two Stroke Talk / Nice! Link from cyclenews.com to TSM

« on: April 27, 2010, 07:25:23 PM »

Under their "latest news" is a short story about that new looking YZ125-esque Yamaha with a link to the TSM story. A big website like cyclenews using TSM as reference. Congrats!

6

General Two Stroke Talk / This is what we're up against

« on: March 03, 2010, 09:52:50 AM »

http://motocross.transworld.net/1000091360/videos/catching-up-with-nate-adams-3/

Midway through the interview he dishes some real dirt on the 2 strokes. Pretty damaging stuff, considering it's young kids who generally make up the majority of Transworld readership, and they are the future of motocross.

7

General Two Stroke Talk / Thank you, Motocross Action

« on: February 20, 2010, 10:06:18 AM »

Browsing the magazine rack at my local Wally World and noticed the cover of MX Action with a "Top 10 most important bikes of the decade" article. Half the bikes are 2 strokes, with lavish praise heaped on them, but most importantly there are some serious digs at the AMA's lopsided rules against 2 strokes. The page for the KTM 150SX is so over the top i wonder if they aren't getting a kickback from KTM or something. I mean they basically say if you ride one you won't want a 250F. Nice!!

Chris

8

General Two Stroke Talk / It's gotta be a 450

« on: January 31, 2010, 07:11:53 AM »

The biggest in-your-face statement on the superiority of the 2 stroke, the final "I Told You So" that no one could ignore would be to roll out a 450cc 2 stroke. Think about it for a second. Magazines would HAVE to include it in any 450 shootout, if for no other reason than to see how it compares to the supposed fastest mx bikes in the world.
Service Honda, Maico, TM could make their own bold statement to the racing world by ignoring class rules, similiar to what Honda did when they introduced the CRF150R. The CR500 cylinder could be de-sleeved a few millimeters and re-badged as a CR450AF, as could the Maico. Those 3 little numbers would send a stunning message to the world.

Of course, in the pathetic state of denial that the entire AMA body is in, they'd just say that the 450 2T was a "cheater" LOL. The truth hurts

9

General Two Stroke Talk / 4 stroke "Handicap"

« on: January 14, 2010, 11:22:36 PM »

hand-i-cap: a race or other contest in which certain disadvantages or advantages of weight, distance, time, etc., are placed upon competitors to equalize their chances of winning.

The totally unfair 4 stroke displacement advantage should be described as exactly what it is - a handicap. That's the word i'm using from now on, and with any luck it catches on and is a source of shame for the 4 stroke riders who use it LOL. What say people?

10

General Two Stroke Talk / Direct Injection - for and against

« on: January 10, 2010, 02:41:00 PM »

I previously believed the only way 2 strokes were going to see a rebirth (since legislation won't help us) was through direct injection. This is not to say that the rules in motocross couldn't be changed to allow existing carb'd bikes equal displacement and therefore a rebirth that way, but as far as 2 strokes becoming mainstream again, i thought it had to be via direct injection. But after watching the Rotax E-Tec videos over and over  http://www.ski-doo.com/brphtml/skidooenginetech/en/Index.htm it occured to me that this kind of technology - which would be unbelievably awesome and revolutionary for a streetbike - is exactly what we DON'T need for the dirt. Everyone complains about the high entry fee and nightmare rebuilds of 4 stroke mx racing. Well the E-Tec is LOADED with technology and expensive bits - an ECM that is cooled by fuel, high tech fuel pump, complex injectors, complex oil pump, intricate exhaust valve. Bits tend to fail no matter how well built they are. I'd like to keep it simple and inexpensive. Perhaps use the lower tech Semi-direct injection or Ficht systems - greener than carbs and very frugal with fuel. We aren't talking about bikes that need to pass emission standards anyways.   
The one added expense i'd like to see become standard on all 2 stroke mx bikes regardless of fuel delivery is Oil Injection. A well designed system would add maybe a pound or so, and since it would borrow from existing technology, wouldn't add much to the cost of the bike. But it would eliminate yet another reason why people should go 4 stroke (yes i know about frequent oil changes on mx 4 strokes). And less people buying 4 stoke is how we get our beloved 2 stroke back.
Thoughts?