Japanese 2-stroke -OR- 4-stroke for 700 Mile, One-Way Ride?

For my trip, should I go with:

  • 2-STROKE

    Votes: 7 19.4%
  • 4-STROKE

    Votes: 29 80.6%

  • Total voters
    36

sparky

Active Member
Local time
10:48 AM
Joined
Mar 19, 2008
Messages
1,347
Location
South Mississippi
I only have a 33cc Chinese 2-stroke now (*not* an HT, tho) and a 33cc Subaru 4-stroke (never used yet)... but for the sack of discussion, let's just say this is the 33cc Mitsubishi -VS- the 33cc Subaru --

Here's some guesstimates I'm pulling out of thin air, [incorrectly] based only on the Chinese 2-stroke...

-------
4-STROKE
-------
700 mi / 22 mph = 31.82 hours
700 mi / 160 mpg = 4.38 gallons && 4 oz oil

-------
2-STROKE
-------
700 mi / 27 mph = 25.93 hours
700 mi / 90 mpg = 7.78 gallons @ 32:1 (gas:eek:il) = 31 oz oil
--------

SOOO.... Basically, the 4-stroke would take an extra day of traveling! But almost half the gas and A LOT less oil for the round trip (8 oz -vs- 64 oz, or a 1/2 gallon).

The only problem is... can a 4-stroke really handle a 700 Mi ride like this?? ... or should there only be a problem if it's WOT the whole time. I'm almost leaning toward the 2-stroke if only or the fact that I have this option to hold it WOT all day long, and I'll save about 5 hours overall, even if I do have to mix the gas.

What's your thoughts?
 
I have a Tanaka 32cc and it gets roughly 130 to 140 mpg with the throttle wide open most of the time. So perhaps your estimate of 2-stroke mpg is a little low.

But your estimate on 27 mph may be a little high. At full throttle, my MB cruises at 30-32 mph on the flat. In spite of almost always riding at full throttle, I rarely average more than 25 mph. Average speed is reduced by traffic lights, stop signs, rough roads, turns, hills, and traffic getting in the way.
 
"Can a 4-stroke really handle a 700 Mi ride like this??"
Well I probably don't ride my engine as hard as you, but i don't know exactly what you mean by "like this".
My 3 year old friction drive kit (with 33cc Subaru 4 stroke), helped me get from ABQ to Stanley, ID (~2,000 miles round trip), with numerous side trips and back and forths (Total mileage ~4,000??), but with some regional buses (like through the megalopolis of Salt Lake). But it was a bike tour with tour gear over several months, and I peddle a lot, but use the engine on the tough stuff (some 10,000 ft passes and some 10% grades over the years), though sometimes I must peddle along or the engine will power out. Engine is still good, with minimal maintenance.
Sound like you want to go 700 miles in 6 days. My biggest day ever is 95 miles. I don't think you need to go WOT all day, i've probably done a max of 3 hours, across the Plains of San Agustin into a 45 mile headwind. I'm not sure if the rumor about 4 strokes needing a rest is true, I need a rest more than my bike or engine does, but sometimes, like downhill, I can go faster without the motor, so you could give your motor some breaks that way.
I almost always camp for free, but if you're staying in motels, then an extra days lodging would cancel 3 gallons of gas and a little extra oil.
If you're going over hilly terrain, and don't want to peddle, then take the 2-stroke, for the extra power.
I pretty much take it easy on my rig, though I have gone hundreds of miles on Forest Roads over the years. I powered out my 4-stroke a few times early in the learning curve, probably not cool. If you're really hard on your engines, then go with the 2-stroke, probably not as expensive to fix, or trash.
Ultimately some people (not saying you) should switch to a scooter or dirt bike for the higher performance. One time I met a punk rock girl who rode a scooter from Pennsylvania to the Pacific (and back i assume), she was doing 200 mile days.
 
I have a Tanaka 32cc and it gets roughly 130 to 140 mpg with the throttle wide open most of the time. So perhaps your estimate of 2-stroke mpg is a little low.

But your estimate on 27 mph may be a little high. At full throttle, my MB cruises at 30-32 mph on the flat. In spite of almost always riding at full throttle, I rarely average more than 25 mph. Average speed is reduced by traffic lights, stop signs, rough roads, turns, hills, and traffic getting in the way.
Well.. I forgot to mention I've only got 20" tires!!

I can hit 30-33 mph @ WOT on the flats with no problem (haven't clocked it in over a year, tho)... but if I had the same engine & gearing on a 29" tire -- BOY, I'd prolly be able to double my speed!! ... or at least hit 55!

"Can a 4-stroke really handle a 700 Mi ride like this??"
Well I probably don't ride my engine as hard as you, but i don't know exactly what you mean by "like this".
My 3 year old friction drive kit (with 33cc Subaru 4 stroke), helped me get from ABQ to Stanley, ID (~2,000 miles round trip), with numerous side trips and back and forths (Total mileage ~4,000??), but with some regional buses (like through the megalopolis of Salt Lake). But it was a bike tour with tour gear over several months, and I peddle a lot, but use the engine on the tough stuff (some 10,000 ft passes and some 10% grades over the years), though sometimes I must peddle along or the engine will power out. Engine is still good, with minimal maintenance.
Sound like you want to go 700 miles in 6 days. My biggest day ever is 95 miles. I don't think you need to go WOT all day, i've probably done a max of 3 hours, across the Plains of San Agustin into a 45 mile headwind. I'm not sure if the rumor about 4 strokes needing a rest is true, I need a rest more than my bike or engine does, but sometimes, like downhill, I can go faster without the motor, so you could give your motor some breaks that way.
I almost always camp for free, but if you're staying in motels, then an extra days lodging would cancel 3 gallons of gas and a little extra oil.
If you're going over hilly terrain, and don't want to peddle, then take the 2-stroke, for the extra power.
I pretty much take it easy on my rig, though I have gone hundreds of miles on Forest Roads over the years. I powered out my 4-stroke a few times early in the learning curve, probably not cool. If you're really hard on your engines, then go with the 2-stroke, probably not as expensive to fix, or trash.
Ultimately some people (not saying you) should switch to a scooter or dirt bike for the higher performance. One time I met a punk rock girl who rode a scooter from Pennsylvania to the Pacific (and back i assume), she was doing 200 mile days.
Yup... I figure about 5 hours a day of riding should be about right.

FOUR-BANGER~~ 5 * 22 = 110 mi
TWO-WANGER~~ 5 * 27 = 135 mi

And, no motels for me thanks. I'll be camping for free, myself. Hammocks are a win-win-win situation for a long-distance MB trip!!
 
Not much to add to the virginians post, other than the RS will run WOT for 700 miles wiith its spark plug tied behind its cowling. Mileage and speed sound about right. In 700 miles, you will lose more time in general maintenance than engine maintenance. (flats-chain adjustments-etc. )

I have limited experience with 2 atrokes (Tecumseh 49cc, monster scooter Chinese clone, and Ryobi 31cc) but believe any of those would make it too. Mileage on the Tecumseh is about 80-90, and I haven't checked the others.

Cargomaster and Augidog use the little Tanaka, and they are bullet proof IMO.

Hope that adds to your knowledge base.
 
Hmm.... I don't think I included a 50 to 60 lbs backpack in my calculations.

That's prolly a 4 mph and 10~20 mpg right there.
 
Well.. I forgot to mention I've only got 20" tires!!

I can hit 30-33 mph @ WOT on the flats with no problem (haven't clocked it in over a year, tho)... but if I had the same engine & gearing on a 29" tire -- BOY, I'd prolly be able to double my speed!! ... or at least hit 55!

Yup... I figure about 5 hours a day of riding should be about right.

FOUR-BANGER~~ 5 * 22 = 110 mi
TWO-WANGER~~ 5 * 27 = 135 mi

And, no motels for me thanks. I'll be camping for free, myself. Hammocks are a win-win-win situation for a long-distance MB trip!!

You are not going to hit 55mph with your underpowered bike and 26" tires. MAYBE 35mph with 26" wheels.
 
You are not going to hit 55mph with your underpowered bike and 26" tires. MAYBE 35mph with 26" wheels.

26" != 29"

If I can hit 30 mph with 20" tires....

Then..

3.14 * (20) = 62.8
&&
3.14 * (29) = 91.06

91.06 / 62.8 = 45% increase

SO...

30 * 1.45 = 43.5 mph with a 33cc motor


I incorrectly did Pi * r^2 first time around instead of Pi * diameter, to get such a larger ratio. But still... 43 mph with a 33cc motor is pretty intense. Don't think I could ever ride a bicycle in excess of 50 mph like kerf can!! I'm pretty sure breaking 40 could be a reality with a nearly 50% increase in tire diameter.
 
Last edited:
Spanky... The eho35 is bulletproof. I own a few and wouldn't hesitate to take one on a 700 mile trip.

IMO the four stroke would be better because you can run pump gas straight from the gas station.... No oil mix needed makes things simpler.

Where are you going to ride 700 miles??? Is there some sort of chomsky convention or something you gotta see???
 
Last edited:
Spanky... The eho35 is bulletproof. I own a few and wouldn't hesitate to take one on a 700 mile trip.
I've got one, but I haven't put it on yet. Finally got my bike welded together with some extra reinforcement after the cheap Chinese frame cracked on me a while back. Took my buddy a LONG time to get around to doing it for me, but whatever...

First thing I did when I got the bike was start overhauling the crank and rear hub. The thing rides smoother than ever, and that's what got me thinking about just taking off and not stopping for a few days.

IMO the four stroke would be better because you can run pump gas straight from the gas station.... No oil mix needed makes things simpler.
I wish I would've made a poll for this thread. Can I get a little help from a mod??

I think the best thing going for the four stroke is that I'd be obligated to chill out instead of try to set a world record for "the littlest bike that could". But I LOVE the sound, the feeling, & the adrenaline rush of my 2-stroke!!!

Poll, please?

Where are you going to ride 700 miles??? Is there some sort of chomsky convention or something you gotta see???
Shh.... They're watching!! Can't let 'em know where I'm really headed.
 
Back
Top