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I have recently started shopping for a vintage enduro to serve as my next project after completing my 1972 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead named “Cal.” (Read more about naming your motorcycle). I am definitely zeroing in on the earliest history of the dual-sport and noting that many of the earliest bikes were generally two-stroke vs. four-stroke motorcycles. Additionally, they were generally street models retrofitted for off-road use.
Thinking about the line between two-stroke vs. four-stroke motorcycles, I wanted to make sure readers out there understand the difference. Eventually HappyWrench is going to be an encyclopedia of motorcycle knowledge – until then, I just need to cover one topic at a time. 🙂
The Differences Between Two-Stroke vs. Four-Stroke Motorcycles
A topic like this warrants a sweet table to cleanly ennumerate the differences between two-stroke vs. four-stroke motorcycles. Check out the breakdown below to get a better understanding of these two engine types and how it translates into positives and negatives regarding performance and maintenance.
| Spec | Two-Stroke (Positives) | Two-Stroke (Negatives) |
|---|---|---|
| Power Sequence: | Compression and Combustion – Intake & Exhaust function combined | |
| Firing: | Once every revolution | |
| Power Output: | Can essentially produce twice as much power of a four-stroke of same size | |
| Power Delivery: | Hard hitting – higher top speed | Can be harder to control |
| Noise: | The two stroke is louder than its four-stroke counterpart and can exceed noise ordinances | |
| Weight: | Feel lighter and more nimble due to the reduced weight | Due to the simpler power sequence, good compressed gas is lost during the upstroke |
| Environmental: | Not environmentally friendly and less fuel efficient | |
| Repair/Maintenance: | The maintenance is much simpler requiring fewer parts and cost | Require more frequent maintenance |
Spec | Four-Stroke (Positives) | Four-Stroke (Negatives) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Sequence: | Intake, Compression, Power, Exhaust | ||
| Firing: | Once every other revolution | ||
| Power Output: | |||
| Power Delivery: | Smooth, easier to control across power band | ||
| Noise: | |||
| Weight: | Due to the more complicated power sequence, additional parts including valves are required | ||
| Environmental: | |||
| Repair/Maintenance: | Required less often | Can be expensive due to the additional parts |
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