Pros and Cons of 2 and 4 Stroke Engines
2 Stroke Engines
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Pros
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Cons
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Simple to produce
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High noise levels
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Easy and cheap to manufacture
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High Pollution levels (caused by burning of oil with the fuel)
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Relatively high power output for CC
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Low fuel economy
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Ideal for smaller motorcycles and scooters up to 125cc due to low production cost and good power output
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Narrow power band
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Due to the way oil is burnt in the cylinder, re-bores are required every so often
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4 Stroke Engines
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Pros
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Cons
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More even power spread across the rev range
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More complicated to produce than a 2 stroke engine
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Good fuel economy
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High manufacturing costs due to more complex design
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Lower levels of exhaust emissions
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More efficient engine system
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Please note: As a general rule, due to lower manufacturing costs and simplicity of design, 2 stroke engines have been commonly used in motorcycles and scooters up to 125cc, motorbikes and scooters over 125cc have tended to be mainly 4 stroke.
But, as technology has advanced, most of the problems associated with either 2 or 4 stroke engines have been or are being engineered out.
So, although smaller engines still tend to be 2 stroke and larger motorcycle engines tend to be 4 stroke, engines have remained this way due to manufacturing costs rather then because of limits in design or engineering technology.
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