2 cycle vs. 4 cycle

Paul Carey · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2001 3:15 pm Post subject: 2 cycle vs. 4 cycle

Why choose one over the other? 2 cycle 100cc non-shifter vs. 4 cycle equivalent? Is one faster, more economical to run, more fun, etc? Or is more a Ford vs. Chevy type thing?

Paul

Rick Crow · Joined: 18 Jul 2001 Posts: 49 Location: Albany NY

2 cycle has a higher upfront cost, but is cheaper in the long term because of reduced overhaul intervals and maintaince. But the reason anyone races 2 strokes is the 2strokes are faster..period.
what you have to consider is what are the local tracks running? depending on where you are, you may have tracks full of 4stroker and maybe 3 twostrokes. If you are happy running in a small class I say go for it. If you want 20 kart fields you may have
to race a briggs or travel to race.

Personaly I prefer two strokes. I like to go fast

Rick

John Neilson · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2001 6:06 am Post subject: 2 cycle vs. 4 cycle

Paul,
You live in an area where you can choose either 2or4 and have several venues to run.
Get a copy of GoRacing mag, check out ALL the clubs and tracks in your area. Then make your decision. Personnally, the Briggs motor has the advantage of seasoned components at your local lawnmower shop. And before ANYONE jumps this, we are running 80cc Honda's now. Our decision to run 80's is progression. Others decide to run sealed class motors (Rotax Max) This is YOUR decision. As far as raw speed goes, you are racing others with simular equipment. This is one place where a little investigation can save you some money and possibly help keep your interest in karting a long time. Good Luck, John

John Wehrheim · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2001 6:40 am Post subject: 2 cycle vs. 4 cycle

The only way a 4 cycle is cheaper is if you are club racing stock Briggs. Once you go regional or national and want to be upfront, a national winning motor will cost $1,500.
I live in the south and everyone runs 4 cycle because they think it is cheaper. I say NO way. 2 cycle is less expense in the long run and faster.

Rodney Ebersole · Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2001 4:52 am Post subject: 2 cycle vs. 4 cycle

To me it's sort of a frequency or sound issue. If I bought a street bike I would have a Harley. Not that one is lowder than the other, more of a choice between ring-ding-ding or blap-blap-blap. Also just like steet bikes there is a different crowd that hangs out with each. Paul, the main thing to do though if you want to have lots of, good, fast, economical, fun racing is to get into karting. Soom people run booth 2&4 cycle.

John Neilson · Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2001 8:01 am Post subject: 2 cycle vs. 4 cycle

John Wehrheim;
Your point is only half truth. In each individuals case, thier ability and resources should be consitered. To directly correct your statement, I took 6 motors to the Grands in '99 for 2 drivers. 4 of these 6 motors were never run prior to the day of racing.Except that they came off of lawnmowers. After 6 races, 2 drivers, we accumulated 1 4th, 1 3rd, and 2 2nds. 3 of these motors went to the Grands in 2000, not to mention running a club championship in between, result after 3 races, 2 2nds. The total cost for parts in each motor, less than $300. Our resources only included elbow grease and ingenuity. One of the greatest problems with karting is the fact that we have so many different combinations we diversify the limited amount of participants. Your opinion is valued, please remember that, so are others.
John Neilson

Randolph Ferguson · Joined: 20 Jul 2001 Posts: 307

4 cycles are to noisy

John Neilson · Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2001 9:02 am Post subject: 2 cycle vs. 4 cycle

Randolph,
1st of all, Our wishes and hopes for a speedy recovery for your father. Also, if you are planning on going racing during this time, DO NOT hesitate to ask for help. There are MANY people who would help. Parts, getting your equipment to races, etc. Tires, you are on your own.
Now, about the noise. BRUMM..BRUMM..PUTT..PUTT.
as any good alky motor will do.

[ July 21, 2001: Message edited by: John Neilson ]