What's better? Why? How?
2vs 4 Stroke
- Thread starter Powderpounder96
- Start date
4 stoke has much better power band (low end torque)than a 2-stroke. 4-stroke needs a turbo to be relevant in the mountains IMHO. Also 4-strokes have a long engine life compared to a 2-stroke. 2-stroke are obviously much lighter close to 100 lbs or so. That makes a huge difference in deep snow especially if you drop it in a creek. With Arctic Cat bring a turbo from an OEM should prompt other's to do so to stay competitive. This is a good thing, I would assume the main focus will be making them lighter(4-strokes).
Is there a huge difference on body and chassis style?
On Cat, they use the same frame
Yamaha, is all four stroke so it does not matter
I think on Doo, they use a different chassis for the big triple.
I know Polaris used to have a turbo sled, but I think they might have scrapped the turbo.
Look at how many people are on the yamaha site. Look what sold the most and tell me who needs to be competetive. Four strokes are like a diesel without a turbo. They need a turbo to be anything in the snowmobile world. 2 strokes make more power. They are not as reliable but they have come a long ways. I will take a 2 stroke any day.
ride both and see what you like. I started on 2 strokes(had 6 machines) and went to the 4 stroke turbo(had 7 of them now) and would never ever go back to a stock 2 stroke for my main machine. For the amount of horse and the reliability you get out of a 4 stroke nothing compares. With that being said the new pro and xm for the first time has peaked my interest in finally getting back into a 2 stroke as a 2nd sled. With my 12 year old finally going to start riding with me I now have an excuse/reason to get another 2 stroke.
take a look at your riding style and who you ride with and the terrain you ride in and that's going to be your answer as to which one is best. some guys will never go back to a 4 stroke after riding one, and some guys will never ride a 2 stroke again. Where I am at is the 4 stroke is the best thing out there. I love change and to try new equipment once in awhile and yammi hasn't come out with anything new in the last 5 years and with the leaps and bounds that the other 3 have come out with, it's peaked my interest.
take a look at your riding style and who you ride with and the terrain you ride in and that's going to be your answer as to which one is best. some guys will never go back to a 4 stroke after riding one, and some guys will never ride a 2 stroke again. Where I am at is the 4 stroke is the best thing out there. I love change and to try new equipment once in awhile and yammi hasn't come out with anything new in the last 5 years and with the leaps and bounds that the other 3 have come out with, it's peaked my interest.
And as soon as you saw the price tag for something like that you still wouldn't own one!!
4-strokes are easier to tune, much more forgiving if not tuned perfect, have a longer life, don't burn thru oil every ride (unless something is wrong) like a 2-stroke, and make a much more consistant power throughout the throttle range. Those are the good things, the bad things are MUCH more weight (currently in sleds), a LOT less power when comparing equal sized engines, and they cost more because there is more to them over a 2-stroke. That being said, in the motorcross world the 4-strokes are now more powerful and lighter than the 2-strokes are or were (to the point that most companies don't even make 2-strokes anymore because the 4-strokes are superior), even with the bigger displacement motor to create similar (or in this case) more power. There are more hurdles to get thru to do the same in the snowmobile world and I believe eventually it will happen, but it isn't there yet. You cannot buy a stock 4-stroke sled that will compare to a similar stock 2-stroke sled as far as weight, power, and handling goes, but in my opinion that will someday change. Until that does, I'll keep my 2-stroke.
I think that the 4 strokes are tanks. Sure they will last longer, but my back wont. IMO lightweight is right, in the mountains. On the trails give me a 4 stroke with power steering.
I prefer to ride the machine, not have the machine ride me. At the end of the day you really feel the weight difference, and until the 4 strokes are light enough to not kick the crap out of you, they will always be the lowest number of users riding them in the hills.
And dont give me the "power makes them feel lighter" argument. You still need to wrestle them around turning and tipping them, god forbid if you get them stuck.
And with the direct injection and fuel mapping coming on the 2 strokes now, wont be long till you get all the power you need, along with durability.
I prefer to ride the machine, not have the machine ride me. At the end of the day you really feel the weight difference, and until the 4 strokes are light enough to not kick the crap out of you, they will always be the lowest number of users riding them in the hills.
And dont give me the "power makes them feel lighter" argument. You still need to wrestle them around turning and tipping them, god forbid if you get them stuck.
And with the direct injection and fuel mapping coming on the 2 strokes now, wont be long till you get all the power you need, along with durability.
O
orange2
Member
I have both, 12 m11turbo and a 13 freeride, the turbo power is great but if you can't stay on it all the time to hide the weight it just wears you out. Now,I am no Chris burant, but would consider myself just an average at best mt rider from Iowa. I much prefer the freeride in 90% of the conditions I normal find. Side hilling and tree riding the turbo is just too much weight to fight. Now a expert level mt rider may feel completely different but I notice they all ride 2 stroke turbos for the most part.
I believe 4 cycle is where the sport will eventually be, but I think it will be at least 10 years.
Look what the cross-over to 4 cycle did for...........
Motorcycles
Outboard Engines
PWC
For the most part with minimal added cost.
At this point I cannot see a 4 cycle being an equal peer to its 2 cycle brethren in the trees & technical terrain, but I am confident that before I retire from riding we'll be saying "I'd quit riding if I had to go back to a 2 stroke".
Look what the cross-over to 4 cycle did for...........
Motorcycles
Outboard Engines
PWC
For the most part with minimal added cost.
At this point I cannot see a 4 cycle being an equal peer to its 2 cycle brethren in the trees & technical terrain, but I am confident that before I retire from riding we'll be saying "I'd quit riding if I had to go back to a 2 stroke".
