What If?

[IceRacer]

What if Kawasaki made a 2011 KX500 and a new bike with the same amount of horsepower but in 4 stroke form. Which one would you buy? Why?

[1989kawasaki]

2 STROKE!!!!!! FRIG THE FOUR JOKES!!!.  LOL

[don46]

This is a difficult question to answer, it really depends on what you plan on doing with the bike. 4 strokes are definately more expensive to maintain, but in certain applications they are a better bike, as an example, the late model 2t 250's put out as much HP as a 450 4t, but in most track conditions the 4t is superior, why, mainly because of how they put the power to the ground. if your open riding or dune riding, then the 2t's may have the edge. so really the question is like comparing apples to oranges, they are different and each has pro's and con's, you just need to choose for your application. And when I make my comments I'm referring to the late model 450's, not the old XR's DRZ's, KLX's or XT's.

[martinfan30]

I would def buy a 2011 KX500 2T. I just love two strokes man. Cheap to maintain and the rush is incredible! Theres nothing like a well tuned big bore 2T! Sound, cost, power...

[KTMMDG]

Totally a 2-Stroke for me!...I wouldn't want a 4-stroke bike. there's no comparison between a 2-stroke and a 4-stroke as far as power to weight ratio and sheer awesomeness lol.
Technology and advancements have been ginormous in the last 10 years or so, if Kawasaki did return to the KX500 2-Stroke instead of the estimated 55-63 HP. it would be more into well at least 90-100hp I believe? (correct me if I'm not even close!)

[snoopjonnyjon]

It seems quite achievable to me. A 1000cc twin snowmobile is in the 180hp range with only exhaust changes, half that engine would be 90hp.

[KTMMDG]

true that a KTM 250SX is 50HP & a KTM XC300W is 60HP I'd love to see a 2012 KX500 at 100HP!!


I hope this Doesn't get us off subject I just had to post this-

has anybody seen this or heard of this? they are called the Two Stroke Shop and they are making a twin 500cc 2stroke engine called the TSS500GP they say it can produce 130HP, and 65lb.ft of torque. here is the link
http://www.twostrokeshop.com/Aprilia_RS500_2008.htm also something about a TSS1100GP http://www.twostrokeshop.com/TSS1100GP.htm

[duner04]

I would definitely go with the 2t especially if it was injected and made 75 hp. Unfortunately i think the KX 500 bottom end needs beefed up to survive. I see alot of people on this site having problems at stock horsepower levels. I still wouldn't buy the 4t, too boring too much money maintenance, every sheeple has one.

[Marco810]

too me nothing can replace waking up in the morning and firing up a 2t, the smell and sound has been ingrained into me (if that made any sense). I would like to get a xr or something for mellow riding though

[butchpatrick]

Ill say this, if the 4stroke was $1 and the 2stroke was $5000 I would buy......10, 4strokes and 1, 2stroke. Then drink beer all day in my garage and at night use the 4strokes for wood to make a fire!!!! LOL 2STROKES for life and the 4strokes can die with the yuppy's and the AMA!!

[weymouth399]

What if 4 strokes would stay together, how would you get doner bikes to build AFs?

They pulled the plug way too soon on the 2 strokes, jetted correctly there not bad.

But I gotta say it's much nicer going to a SX/AX race and not get smoked out.

The start of a 450 race is as close to the ultimate sound in MX you can get, second only to the sound of a full gate of 36 to 40 big bore 2 stroke 500s now thats a pretty sound.
Oh the memories.

Bob W

[wierdo]

hey KTMMDG, thanks for posting the link to TSS, I travel to that area quite often  and never knew about them. I have posted on this site for a good engine rebuilder here in Aussieland and only got 1 reply, but these guys are closer and sound way more experienced with 2t's. next time i'm there i will definately be checking them out. what if they could put one of these motors into a KX450 frame. I dont think i could trust myself to ride one, would probably be unrideable anyway( no traction what so ever). As it is now with my K5 i'm flat out keeping rubber on the back wheel for any reasonable lenght of time.
I will ask what they can do for a K5 motor. Hope i dont wet myself when i get there...   
Wierdo.....