two stroke?

[Jett]

I ride a 01 M750 and absolutely love it. i am kinda new to riding (just over a year including winter) and i am just now learning about the 4 stroke vs 2 stroke battle. i dont know much but from who i talk to the 2 stroke sounds to be pretty awesome and worth the money. what are your thoughts on 2 strokes?

[krolik]

For old school dirt bikes, maybe. Or 125 MotoGP.

[Twizted]

2 stroke road bikes can be pretty lethal, especially to the inexperienced rider.  They have wicked power bands.

[rockaduc]

Two strokes offer more powerfrom less displacement, higher maintenance (rebuilding top-ends, bottom-ends), a VERY peaky powerband, and weigh less than a 4 stroke.  They are great in dirtbikes and snowmobiles.

[Speedbag]

Two strokes are also much lighter/simpler than their four stroke counterparts.

I can't imagine the 800 twin out of my sled in a bike chassis. Someone would surely die.

[ducpainter]

Two strokes are also much lighter/simpler than their four stroke counterparts.

I can't imagine the 800 twin out of my sled in a bike chassis. Someone would surely die.

many did.

[zooom]

many did.

those damn widowmakers.....

[Speedbag]

many did.

One happened to be a friend of mine. 

[jerryz]

Nasty smelly ,tinny  horrible sounding things but very quick

[the_Journeyman]

I've got a soft spot for 2-strokes.  I learned to ride motorcycles on a 185cc 2-stroke dual sport.  That thing was stupid fun.  If I had the money, I'd have a GT750, one of those Kawasakis pictured above, a RZ350, an RD350, a Suzuki RG500... and the list goes on.  

Speaking of the RG500, I've only seen one on the road, ever.  I was at the Pisgah Inn, sitting around talking with some riding buddies.  We hear what sounds like the worlds biggest and most pissed off chainsaw.  Ringing, dinging and rattling along with a cloud of smoke rolls up this 500cc2-stroke.  Rubber balled up on the tires, not a chicken strip to be found.  I didn't know it at the time, but we got to witness one of the rarer bikes one might see being ridden like it was intended to be ridden.  At startup?  I've never heard such a noise.  I'm fairly certain women, children and emergency personnel were running for their lives.  I was just enjoying inhaling the wonderful scent of oil ~

Typically they use a lot of fuel, make a lot of smoke and noise and are a bit difficult to ride.

That being said, I would LOVE a KX500 motard.

JM

[fastwin]

A good friend had a blue '72 H2 750 Kawi just like in that picture when they came out. It had Bill Wirges expansion chambers, carbs re-jetted and K&N pod air filters. It was like riding a motorcycle sized giant bottle rocket when the fuse was lit! [moto] I loved the door hinge in the middle of the frame! It handled worse than the Z-1. But it was a make the beast with two backsing rocket in a straight line. I was riding on the back with him to the local 7-11 and he wheelied it unexpectedly and spit me off the back. Luckily we were going at parking lot speed so all I got was a little road rash and a sore back/butt.

It was too much for me. I preferred my R5 and RD350 Yammyhammers. They were light weight and for the time they handled pretty good. Some Dunlop K81 tires and a shock swap and you were good to go. [moto]

[Bill in OKC]

I spent last year putting a 1975 Suzuki GT550 back on the street.  I succeeded.  After riding a Monster, I can say that the Suzuki handles awful, the brakes (front disk) are definitely 1975 vintage, and it is heavy and underpowered compared to today's bikes.  ~480 pounds and a dyno test from an old magazine put it at around 35hp at the rear wheel.  I still like it for what it is.  It leaves me wondering what a modern 2 stroke would be like given 35 years of engine development along with a modern chassis and current suspension & brakes.

[Raux]

http://www.superstreetbike.com/features/1002_sbkp_2010_aprilia_rs250/index.html

PLEASE, Pretty PLEASE

Imagine a new RS250 or even RS500 

[ducpainter]

I've often wondered about an H2 motor in a modern frame...

then my buddy reminds me I'd have 75 ish hp that was a PITA to ride.

I'll stick with my Ducs for now.

[MadDuck]

One happened to be a friend of mine.  

I went off the road at over 70 mph on one of those H2 750's. It's amazing that I didn't die.  It wasn't the awesome power of the bike but rather it wouldn't turn and the frame was god awful flexie.