2 stroke vs 4 stroke snowbikes

[thewwkayaker]

Curious of the benefits of one vs the other.

Thinking about all the worry everyone has about running cold and getting fuel in the oil on a 4 stroke made me wonder why the 2-stroke snowbikes aren't the first choice. The KTM 300SX seems to have more hp than most 450s and is lighter to boot.

 

[Rider1999]

Myself and a most of the guys I ride with run 2 strokes. I am on a 250sx, and we have a couple 300's, 380's and a brc500 in the group. also have a couple of 4 strokes that join. A properly tuned 2 stroke sounds so good reving through the trees. change the trans oil yearly when piston is swapped and let'er eat. oh, and so much easier to start in sub artic temps.

 

[AllHatNoCattle]

In deep powder the torque of a 450 or bigger 4 stroke makes the difference. I have ridden with 300 two strokes in the deep pow and they just cant hang.

In different snow (hero snow), I could see how a two stroke would do well and be fun.

 

[Sheetmetalfab]

In deep powder the torque of a 450 or bigger 4 stroke makes the difference. I have ridden with 300 two strokes in the deep pow and they just cant hang.

In different snow (hero snow), I could see how a two stroke would do well and be fun.

^^^^

Also rider weight.

A guy around 160# will be much happier on a 2 stroke than a guy around 230#

2 stroke requires a very active aggressive rider.

4 stroke has a much longer usable power range in each gear. (Roughly double)

 

[Archie]

I’m running a 300xc, very happy with it all around, but I also switch it back and forth every year to dirt. In the deep snow, it’s a work out for sure to make it perform, a 450 would be better in these situations.
If I had a dedicated snowbike it would be a 450, but converting every year I would still stick with my 300.

 

[eric82930]

2 strokes are harder to keep warm on the super deep days but I still prefer them and I own both. The 4 stroke doesn't get used much. Most 300s suck until you turn them up and throw the wide ratio in the trash, they are weak trail bikes. It's much easier to start with a motocross bike 2 or 4. The 300sx is the only new bike that even sparks interest for me.

 

[teal_210]

I have both. A 23 KTM 300 and a 24 KTM 450 both with 2025 Mtn Top kits.

The 300:
- Feels very light, quick and responsive
- Lifts the ski instantly
- It's more tiring to ride, it gives me arm pump but I'm usually smiling.
- Suffers in big open terrain compared to the 450.
- Harder to be in the right gear and requires a lot more shifting.

The 450:
- The go-to for most days. It just flat works and takes on any terrain that you point it at
- More stable and less "fun" to ride at times.
- Extremely forgiving, can ride almost any terrain in a few different gears.

I actually set the 300 up for my wife and kids to learn on. Turns out they all like the 450 much more than the 300.