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2 stroke or 4
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Posted by: alblakecr250---------------------

I am currently riding a 2003 cr250 and i like it alot, but do things get better? all i hear is how nice the new 4 strokers are and i am thinking bout puttin my name on an 05 crf450r. so can someone please convince me that i should stay with my 250 or talk me into a 450. wat are the pros and cons of the 450. wat am i gonna gain wat am i gonna lose?

Posted by: Jeffro426---------------------

Pros:
Power EVERYWHERE
Great suspension
Handles great

Cons:
Added weight
More complex and expensive to work on
Added maintenance

Im switching back to 2 strokes this year after 3 years on a yamaha 4 stroke...hopefully all goes well!

Posted by: Mike R.---------------------

To this readers questions regarding 4 strokes.

Someone wrote in this:
Why didnt four-strokes replace two-strokes long ago?
It is so obvious the four-strokes are better.

They (MXA) responded by saying this:
So much for your deductive powers, Sherlock.
In truth, two-strokes are the ultimate motocross racing engine.
A two-stroke engine weighs less,has fewer moving parts,has a significantly reduced maintenance cost, revs quicker, is cheaper to manufacture and produces more horsepower per litre than a four-stroke.
If two-strokes had been invented yesterday, we would be hailing their arrival as a watershed moment in engine technology.
So, why are four-strokes dominating now???
It is a combination of pending EPA legislation (which the manufacturers must comply), me-toosim on the part of the consumer, and the fact four-strokes are allowed under AMA rules considerably larger displacement.
Without the extra displacement no one would be racing a four stroke.

My feeling is:
Personally I chose the lighter weight 2 stroke and the simple fact if something (gosh forbid) major happens the cost will be lower to repair. Not to mention obviously easier.

Posted by: gwcrim---------------------

Quote:

In truth, two-strokes are the ultimate motocross racing engine.

Oh Mike. Don't fall for the media hype! Two strokes suck. Just read DRN. All the "IN" crowd here rides them because they are Da Bomb!

Da Time Bomb, that is.

(Sometimes my sense of humor even surprises ME!)

Posted by: CJG---------------------

That is TOO funny

Posted by: AWjames---------------------

2 different types of power. 4 stroke is very manageable smooth power. 2 stroke is all or nothing pretty much. It seems like 2 strokes arent happy unless they are rev'd out and shifting all the way to both.

then maintenance. 2 stroke is WAY cheaper

personal preference i believe

Posted by: gwcrim---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by AWjames

2 stroke is all or nothing pretty much. It seems like 2 strokes arent happy unless they are rev'd out and shifting all the way to both.

You've obviously never ridden a KX500. There's lots of power everywhere all the time.

There's so much low end grunt you rarely need to get into the powerband for trail riding, anyway.

Posted by: DougRoost---------------------

Ride a current CRF back-to-back with your CR then decide for yourself. I switched back from 4 strokes to 2 strokes myself...impossible to beat the fun/$$ equation. However, if I was racing MX in a displacement class (vs. age class) I would have to at least consider a 4-stroke the way the rules are set up.

Posted by: Shig---------------------

I've had two CRF 450s and four CR 250s since 1989. I've heard of alot of problems with the 250Fs, but both of my 450s have been rock-solid reliable. Most of the anti 450 propaganda seems to be coming from sour graping, thumpaphobic two-smokers

.

If you are getting good starts on a 250, then keep it. Going to a 450, you will gain power and torque, but lose some of that flickability in the air. You will gain the priviledge of changing your gear oil every time you clean your filter, but lose your need to mix gas and carry spare spark plugs and jets everywhere you go. You will forget how to do a top-end in two hours or less, but you will gain the fear that you MAY be one of the unlucky few that experiences a total motor meltdown.

It all comes down to your priorities. Personally, I am not loyal to any particular brand or type of bike, I'm loyal only to performance. I want nothing more than to be as fast as I can on a motocross track, and everything else comes secondary. I'm at my best on a CRF 450.

Posted by: DougRoost---------------------

Without a doubt the 450Fs are more reliable than the 250Fs, in large part because they're not being asked to rev as high to make their power (and the camshaft profiles, rev limiters, etc. are designed that way). But it's the 125 class that sees the biggest motivation to move to a 4-stroke due to the additional displacement.

Shig's comments are good. In the end you need to ride them back-to-back and consider how you're going to use it to decide what's best for you.

Posted by: alblakecr250---------------------

i know the smartest thing to do would be to ride a 450 and see wat its like but, just for the hell of it if u had a decision would u trade your 03 CR250 for a 2005CRF450. or would it be worth the financial part of it.i am getting really high on the fact that maybe i will own a brand new machine but. will i be trading my MEAN MACHINE in for a ***** cat that has some bite or wat?

Posted by: RACINRAY---------------------

nothing wrong with haveing both theres a bike for all types of terrain

Posted by: YZ165---------------------

I try not to get involved with the whole 2 vs. 4 thing, but I prefer 4. I like both, but the 450 fits me and my lazy riding style. Talk to some local's and get a ride on one, there are people who just don't like them. My buddy has an '01 CR250 and loves it. I've let him ride my '98 YZ400, '00 YZ426, '02YZ426, and the new 450, he didn't like any of them. He say's "It just dosen't squirt out of corners or off jump faces like a 250". So, no converting that one, he is kind of thick in the head.

Posted by: crfnusa---------------------

I can't see how it gets better than a crf 450 unless you give it a lower 1st and higher 5th gear to make it a bit more versital. I can't compare 250 2 strokes to 450 4 strokes but I have a CR 480R and the bike, fast in its day, is still a bit quicker when you click 5th and hit mid range on up. Twice the power pulses it stands to reason it would accelarate faster, but compared to the crf, overall no comparison. If you can handle the bottom snap that will stretch your arms with out fanning the clutch, consider the 4 stroke. If you like a smoother transition from bottom to mid range, stay where you are until you figure what you really think important. My old 480 is smooth from bottom to top and plenty fast. My 450 will give you whiplash and a grunt factor 10.. For me the crf is more fun but is it worth $6400 to you when you already have a great bike?

Posted by: DougRoost---------------------

Yeah, thick in the head to stay 2 stroke, CRF more fun, etc. DId you guys happen to watch the Outdoor national at Troy on ESPN2 today? Bubba did the classic squirt our of a corner 2-stroke right on by Nate Ramsey's CRF250R on his KX125. Went on to lap a bunch of people and of course win the race. Needless to say, he was classic James, having fun the whole time. Meanwhile, Ivan Tedesco was charging hard on his KX250F until it broke, as did Davey Milsap's Suzuke 250RMZ for the second week in a row.

Your call, but I again reiterate, you can't beat the smiles/$$ of a 2-stroke. I rode a thumper for a year and half and switched back, as are many others who've tried them.

Posted by: Mike R.---------------------

I liked how Milsaps threw his 4 stroke down in disgust.
Did, you see the commentary on TV they asked what was wrong he said something like "I wouldnt re-start but after 140 kicks they got it started".

Posted by: john3_16---------------------

I would say 2 stroke......Many people buy the racing 4 strokes thinking its another XR.....However, they need a new top end just as frequently as a modern 250 2 stroke...Not to mention cam chain, tensioner, valves ect ect...All of which increases the need for more frequent maintenance...It's not just your top end that needs maintenance on the racing 4 strokes.

I would admit the the 450 4 stroke may not be as bad as 250 four strokes...Just like service intervals on a 2 stroke 250 is a bit less frequent than a 125 2 stroke.....However, we are comparing 2 stroke to 4 stroke...When it comes to ease and cost of maintenance the 2 stroke has a huge advantage here...

I own an 03' CR250 and its very flickable and light feeling...I got the chance to ride a new 450 and I didn't like the feel of it especially in the turns....The power was nice and broad though...

My buddy raced a CRF 450 the first time he rode it and holeshot the race with ease....He faded like a cooked pasta noodle after a lap and couldn't hardly get it to turn.....

The next moto he switched back to the CR250...He also easily holeshot the race against many other 4 strokes and lasted alot longer this time.

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2 stroke or 4

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