Miles, 4 stroke vs 2 stroke

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alswagg

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I have been hearing the 4 strokes sleds will run many more miles than the 2 stroke sleds. I do not have a 4 stroke. I was just commenting due to seeing a post of a 4 stroke with having 10K miles and someone stating it is just getting broken in. lol. I would have to disagree. Miles on a machine are miles. The suspension takes a beating along with clutching, gearing, track ect. Maybe the engine will last longer, but does the engine, being smoother, make the clutching last longer on a 4 stroke? I personally have not seen a 2 stroke with over 10k but I have not seen a 4 stroke either. It just seems to me when a machine gets that many miles or even close to that some items start to be neglected, suspension, clutching ect. What do you guys think? Al
 
I owned an 99 SRX that had 11,000 miles, currently own an 02 Viper with13,850 miles, currently own 03 RX1 with 9,800 miles. I think that the suspensions and drive systems need alot of attention on all sleds but that the 4 stroke motor will last alot longer between rebuilds( Pistons, rings .....) Yamaha sleds 2 or 4 stroke, will last but just like any will need maintenance and be taken care of!
Just my 2 cents.
 
Over 15000 miles, you will need to rebuild a 2 stroke once or twice. The brand does not matter. 4 strokes the motor will not have to be touched (oil changes of course), outside of possibly a valve adjustment, and many have a very high mileage valve service interval.

The suspensions all need attention from the abuse they get.
 
A friend of mine sold his MM700 2 years ago with 20,000+ miles on it. It is still running like a champ today. It was rebuilt once at around 8000 miles and he said he really didn't need to do it then. He also told me a story of a guy around the Marquette area that he met at a restaurant that had 30,000+ miles on his MM.
 
Ok, so quite a few machines have over 10k miles. Do you think the chassie will hold up longer? I am guessing yes. If a person maintains his or hers machine, replace worn items, ect it should last a very long time. I do believe however, the newer machines will outlast the older style sleds. I have never heard of a 70's or 80's sled with that many miles. I know we did not ride as much when I was younger as I do now. Much better suspension allows us to travel further and faster. Al
 
The reason the older sleds dont have the mileage is due to lack of reliability and lack of good performing suspensions so our backs could not handle it. Its just easier to go on long trips now due to the lack of body break down. I remember going on 100 mile day trips in the old days and me being wiped out at the end, now 100 miles is nice half day with lots of scenic stops. My 95 has over 10k miles on it and it has never been rebuilt.
 
Just rebuilt a 2 stroke redhead at 7500, did have a crack in one piston skirt so it was time. Overall any sled 2 stroke or 4 stroke with good regular maintanance will last just as long as the other, Yamaha anyways. 4 stroke motors will go way longer without needing a rebuild than a 2 stroke. But the chassis's will all have their abuse. Time will tell, motor to motor 4stroke miles > 2stroke miles...4stroke chassis ?= 2stroke chassis
 
I am wondering about the clutching now. Does a 4 stroke have less problems or wear than 2 strokes? I go through the clutches on ours every year and usually have to replace the bushings on the arms and rollers, this is usually about every 2k miles. Al
 
I think that the motors are no longer a thought if you change the oil on the new four strokes.....but the body is going to be the biggest wear factor(keeping it out of the ditch and away from the trees. I think if proper maintenance is done I don't see why you couldn't put 30000 miles on one without any real problems.
 
I had a Horizon magazine come once and there was a 99? V-Max 700 with 54000 kms so thats about 30000 miles I'd say, looked mint to, i'll see if i can find it within the next couple days and take a pic to post on here
 
alswagg said:
I have been hearing the 4 strokes sleds will run many more miles than the 2 stroke sleds. I do not have a 4 stroke. I was just commenting due to seeing a post of a 4 stroke with having 10K miles and someone stating it is just getting broken in. lol. I would have to disagree. Miles on a machine are miles. The suspension takes a beating along with clutching, gearing, track ect. Maybe the engine will last longer, but does the engine, being smoother, make the clutching last longer on a 4 stroke? I personally have not seen a 2 stroke with over 10k but I have not seen a 4 stroke either. It just seems to me when a machine gets that many miles or even close to that some items start to be neglected, suspension, clutching ect. What do you guys think? Al
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When people are talking about a 4 stroke lasting longer, they are talking about the engine. The rest of the sled will usually be fixed to keep it going. When the engine goes bad on an old sled it will more often go to the junkyard.
If you were in snow country, you would see a lot of sleds with over 10,000 on them.
 
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