Ski-Doos, chainsaws, scooters, ocean liners and cargo ships to name a few where 2-strokes are still alive and well. I don't miss the 2-stroke cars we used to have on the roads here up to the 1990's, Saabs and Wartburgs mostly, but the engine type definitely has it's applications. A 2-stroke Honda CR250R makes 50hp with one cylinder at 8500rpm. A 2-stroke NSR500 '97 made 200hp on four at 12000rpm. The advantage in top power over 4-strokes is huge and also the feel of the power is just brutal. They are scary. My CB600 street bike has 100hp but my CR125R is more explosive. What they lack in, though, is low rpm torque which helps you grunt out of tight corners. Some could call it predictability. Getting one to even idle smoothly can be a chore and once you're on the gas they just want more. Easy cruising isn't often their forte; they keep telling you to go harder. Not something you want on the street. 2-strokes have to be kept revving to stay on the power and bc they are lubricated via the mixture there's no lubrication when engine breaking or when just barely on the gas. A race tuned 2-stroke makes the amazing power when it's set up just right; jetting, timing, mixture that all depend on altitude, humidity, temperature, etc. and it might still foul the plug on start up. Better have extras in your pocket...
Ski-Doos, chainsaws, scooters, ocean liners and cargo ships to name a few where 2-strokes are still alive and well. I don't miss the 2-stroke cars we used to have on the roads here up to the 1990's, Saabs and Wartburgs mostly, but the engine type definitely has it's applications.
A 2-stroke Honda CR250R makes 50hp with one cylinder at 8500rpm. A 2-stroke NSR500 '97 made 200hp on four at 12000rpm. The advantage in top power over 4-strokes is huge and also the feel of the power is just brutal. They are scary. My CB600 street bike has 100hp but my CR125R is more explosive. What they lack in, though, is low rpm torque which helps you grunt out of tight corners. Some could call it predictability.
Getting one to even idle smoothly can be a chore and once you're on the gas they just want more. Easy cruising isn't often their forte; they keep telling you to go harder. Not something you want on the street. 2-strokes have to be kept revving to stay on the power and bc they are lubricated via the mixture there's no lubrication when engine breaking or when just barely on the gas.
A race tuned 2-stroke makes the amazing power when it's set up just right; jetting, timing, mixture that all depend on altitude, humidity, temperature, etc. and it might still foul the plug on start up. Better have extras in your pocket...
2 strokes rock. In the bush you can not beat them. Horses for courses