Accender
Member
2smoke to win the track race.
4 stroke to win the cross country.
A
4 stroke to win the cross country.
A
4 strokes are cleaner quieter and slower. No messing with mixing oil. Still though my Robin Subaru eho35 (4 stroke) has a lot of power. I suppose that if you had a Honda gx 50 it would be as powerful as almost any bike engine and it is a 4 stroke.
Warner
Member
I think you got this backwards. Two strokes DO make more power...that part is correct. But in my opinion they are much EASIER to maintain. Sure you have to mix oil in a gas can....big deal. You DON'T have to change or keep track of crankcase oil or adjust valves. They have FAR fewer moving parts (aka - less stuff to break) and have the same engine life ratings as the 4 strokes do.
As far as operating wide open, they are MUCH better than 4 strokes in that respect....they are MEANT to be operated at full throttle for extended periods of time, versus the 4 strokes which are not. For me it was a no brainer. The ONLY plus that I could find with the 4 strokes is that they are marginally quieter, but the Mitsu 43TLE that I have is plenty quiet, especially with the 2nd muffler that I added on.
Warner
H
HoughMade
Guest
Apples and oranges in this thread.
Cannot apply the same principles of a Tanaka or Mitsubishi type 2 stroke to a happy time. They are both 2 stroke, but there the similarity ends. Maintenance requirements, reliability and power are all quite different. Therefore, to compare 2 stroke to 4 stroke accurately, you have to compare specific engine to specific engine. More work, sure, but if you want accuracy....
BTW- just because a 2 stroke has a power stroke on every revolution does not mean it will make twice the power of an equivalent 4 stroke- more power- yes, twice- no.
Cannot apply the same principles of a Tanaka or Mitsubishi type 2 stroke to a happy time. They are both 2 stroke, but there the similarity ends. Maintenance requirements, reliability and power are all quite different. Therefore, to compare 2 stroke to 4 stroke accurately, you have to compare specific engine to specific engine. More work, sure, but if you want accuracy....
BTW- just because a 2 stroke has a power stroke on every revolution does not mean it will make twice the power of an equivalent 4 stroke- more power- yes, twice- no.
Warner
Member
I took it as a queston of 2 stroke vs 4 stroke, not specific 2 strokes against the best and most contemporary 4 strokes. Sorry if I misunderstood the original poster's question. I wouldn't consider the Chinese engines in any case, personally.....
Warner
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HoughMade
Guest
Wasn't talking about your post in particular- but several....and neither would I
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Dadkins1
Member
I don't have a huge preference. I Like the power and weight savings of the 2 stroke - and the smell - I know it's weird. But I kinda like the smell of two stroke exhaust - throw in a little castor oil or Klotz and it's even better - reminds me of watching TT races as a kid or snowmobile races too. On the other hand 4 stroke power is nice and clean and quiet.
Happy Valley
Active Member
Yes 
S
SirJakesus
Guest
I personally like the 2 stroke for MB uses. They're a cinch to maintain as you only have to clean the air filter every gallon of gas or so and thats about it for me. Theres enough other stuff on an MB to have to inspect pre-ride that I really don't want to worry about the engine itself. The TLE43 is plenty quiet until you start revving her out and the weight savings and size is far superior to the 4 strokes. The TLE43 has 2.2hp, the Honda =50 has 2.5. It's a no brainer to me. Sure it would be great to fill up directly into my gas tank at fuel stations just so people could see my pittance gas expense but whatever, its worth it for me to go 2 stroke. I don't care what anybody says about the air pollution they cause either, I refrain from buying all kinds of ridiculous consumer garbage unless I really need it so my environmental footprint is already rather low for an American.
Theres a reason all the original old-style mopeds had 2-stroke engines. The same reasons MB's should have them.
However I must say if I was to make a hybrid gas/electric bike I would probably use a 4 stroke because the electric motor would compensate for the 3/4 or so HP loss.
Speaking of which, has anybody seen the OHM bikes that use the BionX system? I would love to mount a friction drive and full integrated lighting system to one of those... so expensive though. I'll probably do it eventually lacking any form of a "life" as others call it.
Theres a reason all the original old-style mopeds had 2-stroke engines. The same reasons MB's should have them.
However I must say if I was to make a hybrid gas/electric bike I would probably use a 4 stroke because the electric motor would compensate for the 3/4 or so HP loss.
Speaking of which, has anybody seen the OHM bikes that use the BionX system? I would love to mount a friction drive and full integrated lighting system to one of those... so expensive though. I'll probably do it eventually lacking any form of a "life" as others call it.
Mountainman
Active Member
HTs may = nothing but HEARTACHE
although many seem to be very happy with their HTs
I sure DO AGREE with Warner on this one
I have been on this site for a few months now
and have seen so many UNhappy ones regarding their Chinese engines
it hurts to see ones such as me
that after many years away from riding the fun 2 wheels with engines
get back into it starting with an engine that may bring
NOTHING BUT HEARTACHE
I am very grateful that I bought the Robin because all I wish to do is
ride that thing
although many seem to be very happy with their HTs
I sure DO AGREE with Warner on this one
I have been on this site for a few months now
and have seen so many UNhappy ones regarding their Chinese engines
it hurts to see ones such as me
that after many years away from riding the fun 2 wheels with engines
get back into it starting with an engine that may bring
NOTHING BUT HEARTACHE
I am very grateful that I bought the Robin because all I wish to do is
ride that thing
