Modern 4 Strokes Can Be Reliable
by Dave Lockyer
(Tasmania)
The most common themes seem to be rebuild costs. Modern 4 strokes can be very reliable if oil and air filters are regularly changed and you don't spend all day bouncing them off the rev limiter. When the inevitable rebuild happens chuck the titanium valves for stainless steel and use a quality aftermarket piston (high comp).
We have raced a Honda crf250r and currently KTM250sxf both for 2 years each with one rebuild. They have both been front running bikes with the trophies to prove it.
However I love a good 2 stroke. The joy of running KTM 85s against all those 150 Hondas while the owners poured mega bucks into trying to catch us.
Only 2 stroke in the shed at the moment is a Sherco 250 trials, no powerband there.
Personal favorite is my KTM 450 sxf - has not had a spanner on it.
VOR 400 enduro, reliable as a brick without an oil pump!
Still miss the 360 Husky though.
For the older guys who remember sitting on the side of the track with a loaded up 2 stroke blubbering away while everyone rode by.
Would like my old RM370 back. If it's a dirt bike it has got to be fun.
Road bike - Ducati always.
