Difference in 4-strokes

[TulsaDirtBikeGuy]

hey guys,

ive tried to do my research but coming here just as a "make sure" effort. so ive mainly rode 2 strokes my whole life (i did have a DR-350 or 400 back in the day) and i recently got back into it and purchased a cr125.

now that im older, i realize that im not gonna be going to the tracks and whatnot all the time like i thought i would and have mainly done trail riding and just general riding on dirt type things.

my question is this.

i think my riding style has changed (less balls ><) and i dont really need a bumble bee of the 2 stroke and have to worry bout the clutch and stuff so much. so i am thinking about moving over to 4 strokes.

so, i wanna make sure i understand the difference between something like an XR engine and one of the new hi output 4 stroke engines (like the yz450f or something).

my take on things is the XR has less power, doesnt rev as high and takes FAR less maintainence to keep running. where as the MX 4 strokes are like a ferrari engine and are much higher revving and therefore need more engine working tweaking and such.

is this correct? i figure for me something like an xr400 would have more than enough power, and from what i understand is they are pretty much bulletproof as long as you do the basics and such.

im not trying to have this utopian bike that never needs any repairs, i just dont want to end up spending 3k on a used 450f, and iin a year of riding spend 1500$ on maintaining it.

any suggestions and knowledge is much appreciated

 

[Chili]

I think you've got a pretty good grasp of the 4 stroke scene based on this post.

 

[jb_dallas]

Sounds like you nailed it to me, go with the XR 400.

 

[_JOE_]

Great job on the research. Go find that XR and have fun!!!

 

[XR Rider]

I just picked up a 2000 XR400. I couldn't be happier. I have not had a dirt bike in the last 15 years. I have been an ATV guy. Before deciding on the XR I rode a CRF and a YZF 450. I did not like the feel and it was too much power for me.

I am 6 foot and weigh 210 lbs. The XR moves me around just fine. It does great anywhere I take it. I do not think you can go wrong with this bike.

 

[TulsaDirtBikeGuy]

thanks for all the responses guys,

im gonna go ride the CR again this weekend and make my final decision. but i still think i am leaning towards an XR for sure. i was also thinking about getting a 2 stroke 250, and just changing sprockets and putting on flywheel weight to get it toned down to act more like a 4 stroke. we will see

by the way. locally i found there is a 2001 xr650r for sale for 1500$. it looks absolutely perfect. this seems like a REALLY low price to me, so im skeptical ,but im gonna go take a look at it, but i have a feeling that will be WAY too much bike for me, but its hard to pass up a corvette for the price of a saturn ><

btw, im 5'8" and 170 lbs, am in good shape, but i still think that would probably kill me >< i can just flip this cr125 around like its not even t here, but add 100 more lbs and im not soo sure

thanks again

 

[Ol'89r]

by the way. locally i found there is a 2001 xr650r for sale for 1500$.

btw, im 5'8" and 170 lbs, am in good shape, but i still think that would probably kill me >< i can just flip this cr125 around like its not even t here, but add 100 more lbs and im not soo sure

thanks again

The XR650r is a heavy, tall bike. A good friend of mine that is much taller than you had one and it completly wore him out on the tight trails. IMO, for your size, the XR400 would be a better fit.

 

[IndyMX]

But that XR650 would be a nice road bike...

 

[Patman]

Pick up a nice XR250 and punch it out a bit, you will have a bike a little better suited to your size as well as one that has plenty of power while maintaining that low maintenance lifestyle. I speak from experience. :)

 

[steve.emma]

those old school xr's are great bikes, friend i used to ride with had a couple, a 250 and a 400. it always amazed me how for an old tech air cooled engine you could rev the absolute crap out of it and yet they seemed to need next to no maintainence. well compared to a modern 4stroke anyway...

 

[steve.emma]

those old school xr's are great bikes,

well except maybe for those mid eighties versions that had the twin carbs on them and never seemed to want to start when cold...... ahh yes, good times.....

 

[mas2de]

If you find a 400 go for it. Most any XR or XL is bulletproof. If you're 5'8" don't buy the 650. Great deal but you'll never fit it. Great for you when you're in sand but, again, it will kill you on trails. My dad has riden his XR500 since 82(when his friend bought it new) that his 270lb can still loop on a flat trail and lugs him up any wall, :cool: and he's never touched the engine. I've always had an XR200 that for trails has never given me any trouble. (Save for 100* + days going uphill the whole time till we stop, then it needs to cool down before it will start) But I only weigh 170-180lb. I'd say find an XR 350 or a newer low XR400(awesome bikes in my opinion).
Good luck.

 

[jdbrusch]

If still considering a 2-stroke,they are not mentioned to much in this day and age but you might want to check out the KDXs.

 

[TulsaDirtBikeGuy]

thanks for all the help guys. i did alot of research and whatnot and went and looked at some bikes (and yes, KDX bikes were heavily in the mix). but when it came down to it, i went and test rode a kx250, and i basically popped an instant w00dy that would not reside (dont even take viagra ><). so i paid for it on the spot.

guess once you have a 2 stroke, it just gets in you. btw, i think alot of my problems with the 125 wasnt because of it being a 2 stroke, but because of how the 125 powerband is, its ALL at the top. the 250 (which i had never been on b4), had what felt like to me, tons of torque and would just roost the tires in every gear.

thanks again, and maybe alil down the line ill give 4 strokes a chance again =D

 

[High Lord Gomer]

Did you ever go check out that XR650R? Is it still available?

 

[TulsaDirtBikeGuy]

it was sold about 4 days after i had first posted about it. i never looked at it, as if i did, im sure i would have bought it and then would have been messaging you guys from my hospital bed :yikes:

 

[OnAnySunday]

it was sold about 4 days after i had first posted about it. i never looked at it, as if i did, im sure i would have bought it and then would have been messaging you guys from my hospital bed :yikes:

LOL! Hell if a fat old man like me can ride one around the local MX track.....(been clearing the twin doubles even lately)...... i'm sure a young pup like you could do it.

Besides wrestling a big red pig on a track is good excersize!
"Dont be thinkin' wit yer dipstick........Jimmy!" :laugh:

 

[cjclark87]

2 strokes: break more often, but cheaper to fix
4 stroke: If maintained properly, break alot less, but when they go so does your wallet.

I say if you know what your doing, go 4 stroke, if you dont know much about bikes and engines, 2 strokes are the way to go. :cool: