Handicapping and the Four-Stroke
Over the past few years the media seems to have coined new terms to apply to two-stroke motocross machines. When the two-stroke is mentioned words like vintage and nostalgic seem to pop up. Everywhere from message board users to Ralph Sheehan and Jeff Emig on Speed Channel seem to have gotten the “memo”.
How can this be?
Well, it appears to be a slight-of-hand marketing trick. A way to discredit the two-stroke further. An easy way to make it look like if you care about two-strokes, you live in the past. It’s a simple and effective way to bulldoze the two-stroke fan and to ignore reality.
So what can I do about it?
Simple, use the word “handicap” every-time you speak about four-strokes in motocross.
What exactly is a handicap and why is it used?
According to Wikipedia;
Handicapping, in sport and games, is the practice of assigning advantage through scoring compensation or other advantage given to different contestants to equalize the chances of winning. The word also applies to the various methods by which the advantage is calculated. In principle, a more experienced player is disadvantaged in order to make it possible for a less experienced player to participate in the game or sport whilst maintaining fairness. Handicapping also refers to the various methods by which spectators can predict and quantify the results of a sporting match. [1]
According to FIM and AMA rules, this is equal displacement!
Obviously the four-stroke required an enormous handicap in order to be competitive with the lighter, faster two-stroke motocross machines. The current FIM and AMA rules allow the 250cc four-stroke a DOUBLE displacement advantage over the 125cc two-stroke and the 450cc four-stroke has an 85% displacement advantage over the 250cc two-stroke.
Is it better or is it just bigger? Ummmm… it’s just bigger!!
When the rule was first introduced, it actually worked decently, the bigger four-strokes were almost equal to the two-strokes. But as racers, engineers and tuners learned to extract additional horsepower from the four-stroke and the rule changes continued to take away every advantage from the two-stroke, it turned motocross into a four-stroke only sport.
Yet every single time the fact of the displacement advantage is brought up to a four-stroke proponent, it is promptly ignored, sidestepped or whined about. Usually a litany of how “unfair” it would be for the machines to be of equal displacement soon follows.
As has been written on this site before, for over 72 years the rules of motocross have been displacement based. The engine type was decided by which machine was faster. In the earliest years of motocross the four-stroke ruled. As the technology advanced the two-stroke came to prominence and began to be the machine of choice. The change came about because technology advanced for the two-strokes and the four-stroke were unable to keep up. A choice made from competition alone.
Unfortunately Pro Racing rules in AMA SX/MX events and FIM MX GP’s allow a huge handicap for the four-stroke, which makes it difficult if not impossible for two-stroke machines to compete. Two-stroke fans are told to stop living in the past and to get over it, the four-stroke is the best machine for motocross.
The only way to battle this absurd rule is to knock away at the supposed superiority of the four-stroke, by pointing out the blatantly obvious. Four-strokes require a HANDICAP to be competitive.
Just think of all the fun you can have by sharing this fact with your four-stroke brethren..
Do your four-stroke friends need these?
When they ask you, “Why are you riding that old technology two-stroke?” You can casually reply, “Why do you need such a huge handicap to compete? “
At every opportunity, mention that the four-strokes are handicapped. There is no need to do this in a mean or combative way, in fact it will work much better if you say it casually, in the course of conversation (read bench racing) It will become a splinter in the mind of the four-stroke “revolutionaries” and start to wear on them after a while.
Then instead of thinking they are on a superior, technologically advanced machines, they will discover that they are on old technology with pretty graphics. A case of the emperor’s new clothes. The only way they can compete is to “cheat”.
So just add the word “handicap” to your vocabulary. It’s simple and easy. But even better than that it’s fun to do!
Enjoy the races!
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handicapping
Special thanks to Chris2T for posting the idea of handicapping on the Two Stroke Motocross forum. To see the original forum post please click this link. http://twostrokemotocross.com/forum/index.php/topic,237.0.html
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Comments
By motoman465 on April 8th, 2010 at 9:12 am
I always love going to dealerships and messing with the salespeople, especially the ones with the attitude that they know it all! Once I bring up “The Handicap” feature they just don’t know what to say…when I throw in the extra weight and the increased cost for maintenance they usually just walk away. I have done this with a few friends who sing the praises of the “superior” 4 jokes! Like I said before, I am not trying to destroy the 4 jokes, I just think that the buying public should have a choice!
By MaicoMadman on April 8th, 2010 at 12:26 pm
Until a top caliber rider beats the best, riding a two stroke, and then does it again, (to rule out the fluke factor) the 2 strokes will unfortunately continue to decline. The woods riders know the advantage but even there the number are still falling. Hats off to KTM and Yamaha for still producing 2 strokes. We do need a choice.
By Sachsgs250 on April 8th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
The sight of one of those skirtless two ring four stroke pistons always sends a shiver down my spine – what are the manufacturers thinking?
By 2STROKEREVOLUTION on April 8th, 2010 at 12:53 pm
Besides just a 85% or 100% advantage in displacement, I have herad there are minimum weight rules. What are the rules for the 450F vs 250? And 250F vs 125?
By JohnNicholas on April 8th, 2010 at 1:46 pm
MaicoMadman, the problem is that with the current rules it’s very hard to get a top racer to compete on a two-stroke. In fact there have been a few instances when racers competing on two-strokes and doing well, end up on support teams of some kind pretty quickly…. just noticing!
We are working on a small team to compete using a YZ250 two-stroke against the 450’s at the nationals this summer… http://www.projecttwo50.com
2STROKEREVOLUTION the weight differences are not the big problem, although here are the AMA rules
1.16 Minimum Motorcycle Weight
a. 250 Motocross Class: 194 pounds 2-stroke / 212 pounds 4-stroke
b. 450 Motocross Class: 212 pounds 2-stroke / 220 pounds 4-stroke
Obviously the big thing is the displacement difference, but forcing the unleaded rule really hurt the two-strokes in a huge way. Of course a slight adjustment of the rules could help, but there is no incentive for the manufacturers or the AMA to make these changes unless they absolutely “have” to.
Our job, as I see it, is to convince them that they have to!
By 2STROKEREVOLUTION on April 8th, 2010 at 9:11 pm
Thank you JohnNicholas.
At least they didn’t screw too much with minimum weight advantages.
A 450F weighs about 240lbs stock. This allows for a 20lb weight loss. But a 250 2-stroke already weighs 212lbs. They should be allowed at least a 10lb weight loss. The 125s are given it at least.
I am unfamiliar with how the “unleaded rule” works. What is it and how did it hurt the 2-strokes?
By sdcaro on April 9th, 2010 at 1:00 am
Since both the AMA and FIM allowed the handicap in the first place, and the “mighty” four-strokes have supposedly proven their superiority, how about leveling the playing field back to equal displacement and see how long the over priced wonder weapons last? Oh wait, that wouldn’t be fair! Heaven forbid the big 4 manufacturers lose some profits.
By grumpy on April 9th, 2010 at 9:28 am
Just consider it the rich kid’s handicap rule. And the AMA has proven it supports money.
By Sachsgs250 on April 9th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
I’ve often wondered “precisely where does the four stroke advantage come about?”.I mean,the power to weight ratios are similar and on a dragstrip they would probaly be dead even,so why the difference?I think “engine flexibility” is the answer and in the case of the fourstroke it means more traction equating to greater acceleration and easier “rideability”.Where does the advantage come from? An extra 200cc displacement (I’ll discount the every 4th cycle arguement to simplify things).How does one increase performance given that suspension,brakes etc. are available to both factions?Increase the power to weight ratio (remember minimum weight limits).How does this relate to a fourstroke?Fourstrokes are already at the ragged edge of reliability so not much “wiggle room” exists here (increased KTM twostroke sales are a telling clue).Two strokes at a similar output are ,relatively speaking,still quite reliable so why not increase output?Because engine flexibility is reduced and with it rideability.In the short term,and I’m thinking of “project YZ250″,reduce motorcycle weight to the rule limit and,at this slightly improved power to weight ratio,increase engine flexibility (torque).How? Pipe,intake,porting,compression and ignition timing come to mind.
What about the long term?DFI,based on automotive results, will yield a slight increase in output and flexibility with fourstrokes but should yield a significant increase with twostrokes.Why?,because of less exhaust scavenging cycle fuel losses.What does this mean?That in the future (and this is my own “crystal ball” opinion) DFI will increase the twostroke power to weight ratio (while maintaining rideability) to the point where it will have a distinct advantage over the fourstroke.
By johnw on April 9th, 2010 at 7:29 pm
A few months ago, I saw Malcolm Smith at his shop and took the opportunity to ask him what he thought of 4-strokes. His answer: “Oh, they’re a fad..”
By jrhockey03 on April 9th, 2010 at 8:56 pm
MaicoMadman, Sure the pro’s have been leaving the 2-strokes behind but I’ve been noticing at the local tracks a lot more intermediate and junior (not sure what they would be in the States) riders are riding 2-strokes. At the Calgary national last summer the junior class had 8 of the top ten riders on 125’s (The 250F finished 9th) I think the only section of the sport where 2-strokes are even with 4’s is extreme enduro and Endurocross. Wait until KTM brings out DI on the 2011 300XCW, that will pave the way for the 2-stroke revolution! MUHAHAHAHAHAHA
By 602MX on April 9th, 2010 at 9:27 pm
Just heard a few reports from Southwick Ma. Nesc early motocross races……… 250 2-strokes are now allowed to race head to head against the 250 4-bangers and it seems they are almost all 2-strokes the top 5 in the pro classes!….I like that news!…
By tommy959 on April 10th, 2010 at 8:41 am
My nephew in Florida said he was going practice riding today on his new 250f, come to find out its a race day lol ! So i asked him to let me know how many 250t will be on the line..Keep you posted !
By MaicoMadman on April 10th, 2010 at 9:33 pm
jrhockey03, The AMA will always support the money behind the sponsors and the Big Four. It started with Yamaha and when they won a race on a four stroke, all hell broke loose. The top racers don’t care how much it cost to repair a bike. That’s not their concern. Like John said earlier, If a rider does well on a 2S, their snatched up and put on a 4S. Here in Florida at the local Hare Scrambles we average about 60% 2S’s. In Motocross the vast majority are 4S. The deep pockets have the displacement advantage and the money to afford the 4S. Until a 2S can out perform their unequal hadicap, the death will continue. I’m not so sure the KTM DI 300 will prove to be the best thing since sliced bread, after all it,s making a 2S even more complicated. Something the 4S’s had to do in order to compete in the first place. Only time will tell, I hope I’m wrong but we’ll see.
MMM
By FatBiker on April 11th, 2010 at 1:37 am
Love this article! I just got back into the dirt bike game and I’ve always wondered why the 4 stroke bikes were given such and advantage, er, I mean handicap over the 2 strokes. What I mean is I know why, because they are such slugs cc for cc but why were they even allowed such a handicap in the first place? If you can’t run with the big dogs (actually little 250 vs. 450) just change the rules!?
By VintageBlueSmoke on April 12th, 2010 at 9:54 am
@MaicoMadMan,
The problem is that two-strokes have to get more complicated or face extinction due to environmental issues. Although two-strokes have lower NOX emissions than a four-stroke, all the other less-damaging emissions are off the charts and the most non-damaging but visible emission, particle emmission (blue smoke)is what lay-people see and complain about. DI is part of the solution for that. Regardless, two-strokes are becoming more and more complicated in competition with on-the-fly ignition mapping et.al. anyway.
We, the readers of twosmokemotocross.com, know that the EPA didn’t necessarily order the manufacturers and the AMA/FIM to cut emissions but the writing is on the wall around the world. The crime committed against the public is that technology exists to adapt the two-stroke and once adapted, the two-stroke is cleaner and more efficient than the four-stroke.
On another note (braaaap) did you see the two-stroke competing on the world stage in the GP’s? Cedric Soubeyras of KTM Sarholz Racing. My new hero!
I hope to see you in Bartow at the end of May.
Kurt.
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