Yes, we’re going there. The debate that will probably never end in the dirt bike world.
It doesn’t matter if you have been riding your whole life, or if you’re new to the sport, you have been faced with the 4 stroke vs. 2 stroke dilemma. Unfortunately, there is not a clear cut answer. If you watch motocross or supercross on TV, you’ll see almost exclusively 4 strokes. If you go to your local enduro, you’ll see mostly 2 strokes.
So which type of dirt bike is the best? I think that’s the wrong question. Chances are if you are reading this, then you’re not getting paid to ride your dirt bike. This is not a profession for most of us average riders, so instead of overthinking the “which bike is the best” question, why don’t we reframe it to “which bike is the most fun for ME?” Something that we like to call “the smile factor.” Which bike puts the biggest smile on your face and leaves you antsy to get back out on the trail.
Now with all of that said, there are a few key factors that can help you make the decision. Here we go, the thumper vs. screamer argument settled once and for all:
4 Strokes:
- Smoother, more linear power delivery
- Sounds cooler in my opinion :)
- Better on more wide open trails (desert, flowy singletrack)
- No pre-mix
- Stalls more easily
- Requires more maintenance (will need a top end sooner than the 2Ts)
- Better dual sport bikes if you want to make it street legal
2 Strokes:
- Snappy, quick throttle response
- Better on tight, technical mountain or woods singletrack. Also, the better option for hard enduro
- Lugs better in low RPMs and more difficult to stall
- Depending on the bike, will require pre-mix gas (TPI bikes are the exception)
- Easier to maintain (doesn’t need top ends as often as the 4Ts)
- More options when it comes to trail/enduro bikes
Hope this helps you make the right choice. Good news is that dirt bikes are dirt bikes, so it’s hard to make a wrong decision. Just get out there and have fun, ride something that puts a big ole smile on your face, rinse and repeat!
- Leave a single track
Being an older rider, I’ve experienced the evolution of dirt biked since the early 90s. Also as an old guy, I follow a group for Senior Off-Road and Adventure Riders. I have to laugh at the assumptions made about 2 stroke and 4 stroke engines, made by those getting back into bikes after a three or four decade absense. Many of them are still under the impression that 4 strokes still make low rpm, grunty power like an air-cooled Honda XR. And, they think 2 strokes are high rpm, narrow power band screamers like the original Honda Elsinores. Because they missed out on the development, they don’t realize the roles have reversed. With liquid cooling, exhaust power valves, case reed induction, rpm range-specific exhaust tuning, and electronic CDI ignition, 2 strokes can pull from the bottom in ways some 4 strokes never did. And with 4 strokes you have 4 (or 5) valve heads, aggressive cam timing, tunable ECU maps, more precise exhaust design, and of course liquid cooling; all contributing to peak power in the 5-digit rpm range. It’s a completely different ballgame in the world of moto, than it was for most riders’ grandfathers.
I like your channel and videos you make. Very informative. Thank you!
I went to your website to picks up shirt as a show of support. Looking for a shift with your logo on it as seen on the website.
I just started riding 2 strokes…. I’m 30 and have only ridden 4 strokes my whole life… I like 4 strokes for track and 2 strokes for trails..
Article should note that larger displacement 4 strokes (350 cc and up) have MUCH longer powerbands than 2 strokes. 4 strokes might make good power over a 6,000 rpm range where a 2 stroke might make good power over a 3,000 rpm range. So 2 strokes almost always require more shifting. My preference is 2 stroke for trails but 4 stroke for tracks.
IMHO I would say 2T are the better choice. I’m saying this mostly because of how much easier it is to work on the engine. All the reasons that Kyle has listed for a 2T I would agree 100%. Mixing gas is not that difficult, especially with a Ratio-Rite.
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