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Two Stroke Motocross.com: Questions Answered, Misconceptions Debunked.

During the past two years of this web sites existence, we have received a great deal of feedback, much has been extremely positive, with an out pouring of support. Thank you!

Not surprisingly some has been… well… not so good. Most of this negative feedback seems to come from those that don’t understand the nature, reason or the ideals this site is built upon. This article attempts to address those misunderstandings.

This is a web site devoted to the promotion of two-strokes in motocross racing. That’s kind of easy to understand when you read the name on the top of the page. But the doubters have quite a bit to say, some valid and worthy of a response. To date, we’ve answered each e-mail or comment individually, but have now decided to address the biggest misconceptions right here on the site.

While the chances are high that the doubters may never read this at all, I felt that it was important to share our philosophy and beliefs with you, our esteemed readers.

In the simplest terms, our goal is to promote and support two strokes in motocross in a truthful and respectful manner. We provide an opportunity for alternate manufacturers to reach a wider market, enabling them to supply machines, parts and support for those interested in the two stroke. Two Stroke Motocross also provides a platform to share news, information and technology about these light, simple and powerful engines.

So in no particular order here are some of the biggest myths about this site.

Four-Strokes Suck!

The truth is that we don’t hate four-strokes. They can be great bikes. They allow beginners and vet racers to race without having to devote a great deal of riding  time in order to be competitive. When they’re not pushed to extremes and maintained properly, they can last a very long time.

Whenever we speak about the difference in cost between the 2 and 4 on this site, we are referring to what it costs for fast, competitive racers to compete. When you attempt to race in the A or Pro level, it is imperative to hop up the machine. Otherwise you will be left behind. The 250F machines are the ones that need big bucks devoted to the engines in order to be competitive. When the bikes are tuned to the high level required to be competitive, the chances of catastrophic problems increase.

Obviously all race machines require regular maintenance. This goes without saying. But when a catastrophic problem does occur, it will cost you significantly more with a four-stroke. If you think about it reasonably for just a few moments, it’s easy to understand the reason, there are many more moving parts. Also, if your machine is hopped-up, that adds an additional level of expense.

The stories of four-stroke owners unable to repair their bikes because the cost to repair them is more than the bike is worth are too numerous to ignore. In fact, there are folks that make money by buying these machines at a deep discount from the frustrated owners. These guys usually fix them and sell them or part them out. Sometimes they used to create new generation two-stroke bikes with the latest chassis design.

The issue to consider is what happens to the guy that gets burned on his “technologically advanced” four-stroke? Does he quit racing altogether? The chances are very high that he does. He leaves motocross, never to return. So instead of building up the base of new racers, the four-stroke “revolution” is having the exact opposite effect. Less people are getting involved with motocross.

This is simple to understand. Take into account that many riders have to finance the purchase of their new bikes. Could you imagine what it’s like to own a broken machine that’s sitting in your garage and you still have to make payments on it? That would be the ultimate slap in the face!

To add insult to injury, the used market for four-strokes is is getting worse as folks discover that it’s almost impossible to know how long a used four-stroke will last.

Usually a rider will buy a bike, race it for a year or two, then sell the machine, using the cash from the sale to off-set the cost of the next new one. But in this used bike market, he can barely sell it for enough to cover the down payment, so now he has to finance a greater and greater amount of money.

The question is, how many 5 year or older four-strokes do you see at the track? There are very, very few of them. But when you look at the two strokes, you see machines that can be 10 or more years old. The truth is that it’s inexpensive to rebuild the two-stroke. Plus the resale on used two-strokes can be higher than newer model four-strokes.

Need proof?

My local used bike dealer sells used two strokes all the time. In fact he has a hard time not selling them! When he advertises a two-stroke for sale, he gets a bunch of calls and e-mails for them.

They have tried a few times to sell used four-strokes. There were almost no calls on them, even when they were priced much lower than comparable or even older two-strokes. In fact they could go weeks or months with no interest on the used four-strokes. The only way they do sell, is if the dealer drops the price to almost nothing. It’s so lopsided, that they now refuse to sell any used four-strokes.

Displacement Disadvantage

Why is it that every time displacement is brought up, it strikes fear into the four-stroke lovers? In fact, no one has ever really answered this question in a meaningful manner. Lot’s of hot air and subterfuge, but no real explanations.

Still, the 4-stroke supporters shout from the roof tops that their machines are more technologically advanced than the two-strokes.

While it may be true that they have been updated more recently than some of the two-stroke offerings, what they all seem to leave out is that they are double the displacement.

How can something twice as big be a better machine or more advanced? It just doesn’t make sense.

In auto racing, the catch phrase for years has been “there’s no replacement for displacement.” Why is this so often quoted? Because in almost every single case, a bigger displacement engine will be faster. Yes, there are some exceptions to this “rule”, but for the most part it holds true.

Then there are some that attempt to explain that because the two-stroke fires on every stroke and the four-stroke fires on every other stroke, that the four-stroke needs to be twice the displacement. This has no basis in either mechanical or engineering fact.

Then there are others that say that displacement doesn’t mean anything. That machine size doesn’t matter because certain racers, on certain days can use a 125cc machine to beat a 450F’s.

Sure if your name is Ricky Carmichael, Chad Reed or James Stewart and you’re racing someone that’s not as good, they could beat them while using a mini-bike. When these guys compete against each other though, then displacement means a great deal. These guys have the ability to race almost any size machine to it’s limits. Unlike most mortal racers where displacement does make a big difference.

What’s hard to understand is that for 72 years motocross was based on displacement, equal displacement. Until, in the early 1990′s, when a rule was set to allow the four-strokes a displacement advantage. Although it wasn’t until 1997 that Yamaha exploited the rule. Remember that the maiden championship series that the YZF400 four-stroke competed in, it won. Why wasn’t this rule abolished then and there?

No one really believed that the four-strokes were actually good enough to win all the time. Even with the almost double displacement advantage. This included most of the manufactures, the pro racers and the fans.

Because they had a huge displacement advantage people were drawn to them like bears to honey.  Then like any new technology, the four-strokes improved dramatically until the horsepower exceeded the smaller two-strokes. Who wouldn’t want to have twice the displacement with a mellower power delivery? By 2004, there were virtually no two-strokes competing in Pro Motocross. How can this be fair?

Two Stroke Motocross wants a level playing field – meaning equal displacement. If not equal displacement, let’s create a series that will allow two-strokes only or equal displacement racing.

Two Stroke Motocross is Biased Towards Two Strokes

Duhhh! Of course almost every article written on this site is about two-strokes, it is called Two Stroke Motocross. The reason that this site exists is that the mainstream media does not write very much about two-strokes. But the media receives most of it’s revenue from advertising. Guess who the largest advertisers are? Correct, the manufacturers of motorcycles. So what do they write about? The stuff that their advertisers sell and market. This is not a conspiracy, this is basic business.

Another example, is when the top stars of motocross are asked if they prefer two-strokes or four-strokes. Hmmm, let’s see, they’re being paid millions by a company to race the latest four-strokes that the company sells. What would you say? “No… I hate the piece of crap they make me ride, I rather race a two-stroke.” Hell no. If you were in their place you would say the same thing. It’s not a conspiracy, it’s the right thing to do.

Although as an interesting aside, it was fun to see James Stewart riding a two-stroke YZ250 during his ride days this year. While we’ll never know the reason that he did, it’s hard to imagine that Yamaha didn’t have another 450F for him to ride on these event days.

As for bias towards the two-stroke, we just tell it like it is. Every article we write is checked and researched to be sure that the information is true and factual. If we can’t confirm something is true or not, it will be noted that it is a rumor or that there is no conformation at the time the article was published. If the four-stroke is faster or is better in some way when compared to a two-stroke (of equal displacement) it will not be covered up or “edited” to make the two-stroke look better.

As an example, look at the Two Stroke Motocross article from a few weeks back. There was a video from Wildwood, New Jersey of a race between a 250 two-stroke and a bunch of 250 four-strokes. If you watch the video closely, you will notice that the two-stroke racer (Dakota Kessler) was going all out to beat the 250F’s. In no way was it a cake walk for him. He was successful because he was able to hang it all out and keep that old CR250 on the pipe. It was a terrific race and very exciting. It does show that equal displacement bikes can be raced head-to-head fairly. Well at least on that day and at that track.

Why Are There No Articles on SuperMoto? Quads? Freestyle? Road Racing? Etc.. On Two Stroke Motocross?

This is simple. While we love all forms of motorcycle racing and any instance where two-strokes are use in competition, our expertise is in motocross, so that’s the area we concentrate on. We are more than willing to publish articles about other forms of two-stroke competition. If you have news, information or stories that are meaningful or about new technology, please feel free to contact us and we’ll get it out there.

Too Freaking LOUD!

Sound issues. The loud and obnoxious sound of the four-stroke reminds regular folks (those that don’t like motorcycles) of Hell’s Angels. This is not an association that will help motocross to grow. In fact, it has done a great deal of damage to our sport. Riding areas and race tracks are being closed all over the world because of the noise. This issue must be dealt with in order for our sport to thrive.

Nostalgia

Seems that lot’s of detractors feel that only old guys want two-strokes. Supposedly, this is because two-strokes were the bikes “back in the day.” That might be true of some 30 somethings, but certainly not of everyone.

It’s not just the old guys that want two-strokes. The truth is many of the older guys prefer the four-stroke, because it’s easier to ride/race. In fact, if you are old enough (in your 40′s or older) you remember when motocross (scrambles at that time) consisted mostly of four-strokes. In which case, you’re probably more likely to buy a four-stroke.

Instead of guessing what others are interested in or what they are thinking, do what we do, ask the racers that you see at the track. In this way we made a discovery, the tide is turning. More and more racers are switching to two-strokes.

Some of the older guys are extremely interested in technology for motocross and are the first to adapt to new things. Although they realize when it actually is an advance and not just a marketing catch phrase. Most want whatever bike that best suits them, utilizing the newest technology available to them.

While all this debate between the two-stroke and four-stroke rages on, the truth is that in 10 or 20 years there may be something that is even better. As long as it is better and not a step backwards, it will be adopted by the masses.

News Flash! Some young people actually prefer two-strokes. Go figure.

Comments

Here is where we claim a home town advantage. When someone attempts to comment using lies, slander or saying stupid stuff, it gets deleted. This does not happen often and when it does an e-mail is sent to the “offending” writer, asking them to re-write it without the offending material.

You do not have to agree with everything written on this site, in fact if you know differently, we want to hear about it. This can be done in a respectful manner and should include facts. This site is not a free-for-all with no rules.

There are many sites that have forums that allow just about anything. They end up being “ruled” by bullies and know-it-alls. It appears that whenever someone could contribute to the spread of ideas, if these precious few disagree, they bully, call names and make fun of the new person until they just stop posting.

This site is a safe place to spread ideas, comment, disagree, or talk about the future. Just act like a mature adult. We have 15 year olds that understand this and act like adults. It can be done!

Conclusion

This site exists because people like you are interested enough to visit the site in your search for news and information about two-strokes. Why is this even possible? Because there is so little information all in one place about this subject.

We do our best to bring you worthy and timely information about two-strokes.

The truth is that no matter what is written on this site, if you disagree and your mind is made up, nothing written here will change your opinion. But that is not what this site is all about. No one can ever change your mind except you.

We’re here to learn about what is happening in the world of two-strokes, to examine ways to promote them and to encourage the riders that choose two-strokes. Two strokes are a viable alternative and there is support out there.

If you love two strokes, the way you can make a difference is to buy one. Whether they are new or used. From a major manufacturer or one of the smaller manufacturers. Buy the bike you feel is best for you. Go do it.

Thank you for reading!

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