2T vs 4T vs CC
Posted: 17 Feb 2011, 23:50
Spravočnikas žaliems:
125CC-200CC TWO STROKE: THE SCREAMERS
The good
These little rockets are super lightweight, easy to flick around, and if you get stuck on the track you can just pick the bike up and carry it. They're also easy to work on.
The bad
Because of their smaller engine sizes, these bikes are best suited to lighter riders up to 75kg. They also require skill to keep the engine in the power-band for they produce most of their power at high revs, although it should be noted that a 200 has considerable more torque than a 125.
The Ugly
The 125 and 200cc enduro bikes are almost exstinct for some reason, so you might have a hard time finding one. The small motors on these bikes also work hard so expect to invest some money in regular top-end rebuilds.
250-400CC TRAIL, FOUR-STROKE: THE SOFTIES
The good
Low maintenance, soft power and basic engineering means you don't have to be a dirt bike guru to own one of these.
The bad
Trail bikes don't get all the hot stuff the competition dirt bikes get, and as your riding improves you'll get frustrated with their low level of performance.
The ugly
The truth is, these bikes are heavy, slow and under-suspended. Even Chad Reed would have trouble cutting a fast lap on one.
250 COMPETITION FOUR STROKE: SMOOTHER THAN BUTTER.
The good
These bikes are so easy to ride, they chug, lug, pull and rev. Amazing! An excellent bike to learn to go fast on.
The bad
They pump out serious ponies for their size and need a high maintenance schedule to keep 'em going. Clean the filter, change the oil, check the valves and replace the top end regularly. That's the price for all that performance.
The ugly
These things rev high, around 13,000rpm, and if you think they'll last forever like an XR600, you're wrong. And if they go bang, you're in deep doo-doo.
250CC-300CC TWO STROKE: THE 'BRAAAP' CLASS.
The good
Lightweight, instant power. You jump tall buildings in a single bound and they're easy to work on as well. An ideal bike for a young, fit rider.
The bad
Unless you have good riding skills you'll find that all that instant power can be intimidating. These things are fast
The ugly
In dry, slippery conditions these bikes want to go sideways as much as they want to go forward. A new rear tyre and a steady throttle hand are essential to keep a two-stroke hooked up in the slippery stuff.
450 500CC COMPETITION, FOUR-STROKE: MORE POPULAR THAN FREE BEER.
The good
Everything is nice about riding a 'four five oh'. The power's smooth and there's lots of it. They'll hook up on greased glass and in dry conditions they'll turn inside the best two-stroke ever made.
The bad
As light as they are, they're still heavier than a comparable two-stroke and that can be a disadvantage in certain conditions, like deep ruts. You also need to apply plenty of new-school, four stroke maintenance to these bikes - just like the 250Fs, only not as often.
The ugly
Although a 450 should last a season without a rebuild, you know the time will come soon enough for a top-end job and this can be a problem if you've never worked on a four-stroke. The ugliest point though is if you blow one up; selling the house, wife and car should cover costs.
360-500CC TWO STROKE: ALMOST EXTINCT, THANKFULLY.
The good
Midsize, Open class, two-strokes like a 380 are a pretty decent bike in the hands of an experienced rider, since they're reasonably manageable, but a fullhouse 500 is at its best climbing sand dunes or setting land speed records.
The bad
These bikes can vibrate excessively, and at times the jetting can be difficult to sort. It can also be hard to find one because very few manufacturers make them anymore.
The ugly
As we said, midsize two strokes are okay if you can handle them but a full size 500 is ridiculously powerful. If you can ride one of these beasts fast, give us a call and we'll get you a factory ride.
600CC AND BIGGER FOUR STROKES: CRUISEMOBILES.
The good
These bikes usually have excellent on-road performance and if that's important to you then you'll find it in a big four-stroke. Their engines are also old-school four- strokes and that means that they should last forever and a day with regular maintenance.
The bad
Big four-strokes are usually designed as dual purpose machines and their size and weight often make them an awkward proposition in the bush.
The ugly
If you do go bush on one of these you may never be seen again as they're big and heavy and not too manoeuvrable in rough going. These bikes are at their best on fire trails and fast gravel roads.
125CC-200CC TWO STROKE: THE SCREAMERS
The good
These little rockets are super lightweight, easy to flick around, and if you get stuck on the track you can just pick the bike up and carry it. They're also easy to work on.
The bad
Because of their smaller engine sizes, these bikes are best suited to lighter riders up to 75kg. They also require skill to keep the engine in the power-band for they produce most of their power at high revs, although it should be noted that a 200 has considerable more torque than a 125.
The Ugly
The 125 and 200cc enduro bikes are almost exstinct for some reason, so you might have a hard time finding one. The small motors on these bikes also work hard so expect to invest some money in regular top-end rebuilds.
250-400CC TRAIL, FOUR-STROKE: THE SOFTIES
The good
Low maintenance, soft power and basic engineering means you don't have to be a dirt bike guru to own one of these.
The bad
Trail bikes don't get all the hot stuff the competition dirt bikes get, and as your riding improves you'll get frustrated with their low level of performance.
The ugly
The truth is, these bikes are heavy, slow and under-suspended. Even Chad Reed would have trouble cutting a fast lap on one.
250 COMPETITION FOUR STROKE: SMOOTHER THAN BUTTER.
The good
These bikes are so easy to ride, they chug, lug, pull and rev. Amazing! An excellent bike to learn to go fast on.
The bad
They pump out serious ponies for their size and need a high maintenance schedule to keep 'em going. Clean the filter, change the oil, check the valves and replace the top end regularly. That's the price for all that performance.
The ugly
These things rev high, around 13,000rpm, and if you think they'll last forever like an XR600, you're wrong. And if they go bang, you're in deep doo-doo.
250CC-300CC TWO STROKE: THE 'BRAAAP' CLASS.
The good
Lightweight, instant power. You jump tall buildings in a single bound and they're easy to work on as well. An ideal bike for a young, fit rider.
The bad
Unless you have good riding skills you'll find that all that instant power can be intimidating. These things are fast
The ugly
In dry, slippery conditions these bikes want to go sideways as much as they want to go forward. A new rear tyre and a steady throttle hand are essential to keep a two-stroke hooked up in the slippery stuff.
450 500CC COMPETITION, FOUR-STROKE: MORE POPULAR THAN FREE BEER.
The good
Everything is nice about riding a 'four five oh'. The power's smooth and there's lots of it. They'll hook up on greased glass and in dry conditions they'll turn inside the best two-stroke ever made.
The bad
As light as they are, they're still heavier than a comparable two-stroke and that can be a disadvantage in certain conditions, like deep ruts. You also need to apply plenty of new-school, four stroke maintenance to these bikes - just like the 250Fs, only not as often.
The ugly
Although a 450 should last a season without a rebuild, you know the time will come soon enough for a top-end job and this can be a problem if you've never worked on a four-stroke. The ugliest point though is if you blow one up; selling the house, wife and car should cover costs.
360-500CC TWO STROKE: ALMOST EXTINCT, THANKFULLY.
The good
Midsize, Open class, two-strokes like a 380 are a pretty decent bike in the hands of an experienced rider, since they're reasonably manageable, but a fullhouse 500 is at its best climbing sand dunes or setting land speed records.
The bad
These bikes can vibrate excessively, and at times the jetting can be difficult to sort. It can also be hard to find one because very few manufacturers make them anymore.
The ugly
As we said, midsize two strokes are okay if you can handle them but a full size 500 is ridiculously powerful. If you can ride one of these beasts fast, give us a call and we'll get you a factory ride.
600CC AND BIGGER FOUR STROKES: CRUISEMOBILES.
The good
These bikes usually have excellent on-road performance and if that's important to you then you'll find it in a big four-stroke. Their engines are also old-school four- strokes and that means that they should last forever and a day with regular maintenance.
The bad
Big four-strokes are usually designed as dual purpose machines and their size and weight often make them an awkward proposition in the bush.
The ugly
If you do go bush on one of these you may never be seen again as they're big and heavy and not too manoeuvrable in rough going. These bikes are at their best on fire trails and fast gravel roads.
