Gary Semics Logo
2-4 Stroke

2 Stroke verses 4 Stroke – Motocross Riding Tips

Ever since sometime in the early 80s 2 strokes have put to good use the development of a power valve in the exhaust port. This power valve has smoothed out the hit of the two stroke’s power band a great deal. But in order to get a lot of horsepower out of that two stoke engine they still have a certain amount of hit to the power band. This is the biggest difference between the 2 stroke verses 4 stroke dilemma. The four stroke is just smooth tractor like power right off idle all the way upstairs. This is why the four strokes depend less on the clutch and more on throttle control. You don’t have to help it into the power with the clutch nearly as much as with the two strokes.

The other difference is with engine braking. When you’re going down a straight away and you shut off the throttle on a two stroke the back pressure from the engine will slow you down a little, but on the four stroke this engine braking is much stronger. This will make the Exit Dex of a corner (where you go from braking to accelerating) easier. You don’t have to be quite as precise with the brakes. This engine braking effect will affect you on jumps too because if you roll the throttle off on the take off of a jump it will throw the front end down much more on a four stroke. These things won’t be as noticeable if you’re in a higher gear. Since you don’t have to be as precise with the clutch and throttle and the brakes on a 4 stroke they are easier to ride. At this point in time that’s the main differences between the 2 and 4 strokers. The actually riding techniques between the rider and motorcycle are the same.

You may be interested in Gary’s over 130 (and counting) Motocross Techniques and Training videos! 

Learn from Gary’s over 130 Motocross Techniques and Training videos. Instant Access to Stream on an awesome, easy to use website!  This includes all the 29 DVDs, plus over 100 new videos that were never in the DVD format. New videos are added periodically. Now subscribers can have instant access to all of my videos and PDF files on any mobile device or browser.  Click here!  We also offer Video Value Pack Rentals!

© 2023 Gary Semics Motocross School, Inc