The Great Debate Two Stroke vs. Four

While the debate over which engine is better, the two-stroke or the four-stroke, is as hotly contested as ever, it may become a moot point in a few years as legislators push to completely end the production of new two-stroke ATVs. So, if you are considering buying a new two-stroke, there may not be much time left for you to make your purchase.

The difference between a two-stroke and a four-stroke is that a two-stroke fires once per cylinder per revolution of the cam, where a four-stroke fires once per cylinder every two revolutions of the cam. Without taking anything else into account, a two-stroke will fire twice as often as a four-stroke, producing much more power with the same displacement. Sure, sounds like a two-stroke is an easy decision, eh? Not so fast. There are several drawbacks to the two-stroke design and performance of a two-stroke.

The gasoline in a two-stroke must have oil added to it for proper lubrication and heat dissipation. Because this oil is in the combustion chamber, a two-stroke produces a lot of smoke, which is the main reason for the impending ban on new two-stroke ATVs.

A side effect of all the power that a two-stroke produces is that the engine must be periodically rebuilt. This maintenance rebuilds are not extremely complicated or expensive, but if not performed will lead to a costly full engine rebuild. (“2 Stroke vs. 4 Stroke | Terra Gear”)

For many ATV riders, this constant maintenance is an acceptable tradeoff for the extra power and performance they get from a two-stroke. But this power is only available at wide[1]open, since the power band is in the extremely high end of the engines RPM range. (“2 Stroke vs. 4 Stroke | Terra Gear”) This is fine if you can keep it there. “But often, having to shift or back off causes you to lose that power advantage.” (“2 Stroke vs. 4 Stroke | Terra Gear”) Two-strokes are widely used in racing ATV applications, since the experienced rider can use that amazing power to quickly accelerate out of corners and into jumps.

Four-strokes, on the other hand, require much less maintenance than a two-stroke. Spark plug and oil changes are needed on a regular basis, but the frequent rebuilds of a two-stroke are not. If an engine rebuild is necessary, a four-stroke is quite a bit more expensive to rebuild than a two-stroke.

There is no need to mix oil into your gasoline for the four-stroke, so it produces a lot less smoke than a two-stroke does.

As far as performance goes, the four-stroke does lack the sheer power of a two-stroke at its peak, but a four-stroke’s power is available through a much wider RPM range than the two[1]stroke. There is no need to run at wide-open all the time and leads to a much more leisurely and quieter riding experience. (“2 Stroke vs. 4 Stroke | Terra Gear”) The low-end torque of a four-stroke is much handier when climbing difficult terrain, negotiating mud, or hauling heavy loads than a two-stroke’s extreme high-RPM power.

In fact, a four-stroke can get out of a full stop in mud, where a two-stroke will usually be completely stuck. And a four-stroke ATV often has a higher top speed than a two stroke but will take longer to get there.

In general, four-strokes are better used in recreational ATV riding, hauling, difficult terrain, and such. A two-stroke, on the other hand, will tend to be better suited for racing and light sport ATVs.

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Best Wishes, Coyalita

See Tomorrow: “Tips for Youth ATV Safety”

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