Should MotoGP return to 500cc two-strokes?

[TheBear]

Well, the question was posed to 8 current MotoGP riders.  Here are there answers:

Rossi:  Yes! 
Lorenzo:  No.
Marquez:  Why not?
Hayden:  Yes.
Dovisiozo:  No.
Redding:  Yes.
Smith:  No.
Espargaro, P:  No.

[ktmmer]

More than 2 strokes is wanking anyway   

[TheBear]

More than 2 strokes is wanking anyway   

 

[2StrokeDan]

Interesting responses.

Return to 2strokes will certainly liven things up, while scaling cost down.

[IceCreamMan]

aint going to happen in a million years..the manufacturers wont allow it

[ktmmer]

Outboard manufacturers has developed  2 stroke outboards with lower emissions than the equivalent 4 stroke motors !!

[RobD]

Real racers are saying yes..... Just saying!

[jhbdog]

there is no point because all the electronic rider aids will be on the 2T also . 4 or 2T what we need is bikes that need all the riders input not electronic aids , then we will see who are men and how are boys . I am sure Vallie is the only one there that raced an old 500 (without sissy mode )

[jaybiker]

Variety and diversity of the machines is something that might just re-kindle my interest that died away ages ago.

Oh to see 2 strokes v 4 strokes, singles, twins, threes, fours, sixes, eights. Flats, vees, inlines. Rotaries?

Different makes of tyre. Far fewer rules about how much fuel, weight restrictions, how much testing allowed, homologation, homogenisation, blah blah blah.

Won't happen again of course, but at least I lived to see those times.

[TheBear]

aint going to happen in a million years..the manufacturers wont allow it

At least one, Honda, recently patented a very nifty, new fangled 2-stroke engine.  Just saying.

Anyway. this was a question asked by a journalist to the riders.  It should not be seem as gospel.

[IceCreamMan]

Outboard manufacturers has developed  2 stroke outboards with lower emissions than the equivalent 4 stroke motors !!

granted, but ppl buy 2 stroke outboards.

Unless there is a market for 2 stroke motocycles the big guys are unlikely to allow a rule change.

[Snafu]

Real racers are saying yes..... Just saying!

Also get that feeling

Would love them back!!

[TheBear]

Unless there is a market for 2 stroke motocycles the big guys are unlikely to allow a rule change.

If a manufacturer can get a 2-stroke to comply to emission standards, they will put it on the market and if in anyway price competitive and a hot performer, they will sell.   

[Regis Laconi]

Honda had a 350 cc two stroke road bike.  They sold it about 5 to 8 years ago.  Only in Japan.  It was a massive success.  I went to visit family over there and we took a ride on them.  Awesome little bikes, and they were cheap...something like 30 odd grand.

Emissions were the same as a 4 stoke of the same displacement.  Apparently they just stop making them.

[IceCreamMan]

Unless there is a market for 2 stroke motocycles the big guys are unlikely to allow a rule change.

If a manufacturer can get a 2-stroke to comply to emission standards, they will put it on the market and if in anyway price competitive and a hot performer, they will sell.   

ja, like Bimota did

[TheBear]

Honda had a 350 cc two stroke road bike.  They sold it about 5 to 8 years ago.  Only in Japan.  It was a massive success.  I went to visit family over there and we took a ride on them.  Awesome little bikes, and they were cheap...something like 30 odd grand.

Emissions were the same as a 4 stoke of the same displacement.  Apparently they just stop making them.

That cannot be correct. 

The two-stroke petrol (gasoline) engine was very popular throughout the 19th-20th century in motorcycles and small-engined devices, such as chainsaws and outboard motors. They were also used in some cars, a few tractors and many ships. Part of their appeal was their simple design (and resulting low cost) and often high power-to-weight ratio. The lower cost to rebuild and maintain made the two stroke engine very popular, until for the USA their EPA mandated more stringent emission controls in 1978 (taking effect in 1980) and in 2004 (taking effect in 2005 and 2010). The industry largely responded by switching to four-stroke petrol engines, which emit less pollution.[2] Most small designs use petroil (two-stroke oil)) lubrication, with the oil being burned in the combustion chamber, causing "blue smoke" and other types of exhaust pollution. This is a major reason why two-stroke engines were replaced by four-stroke engines in many applications.

[Kawasefi]

I see Hayden on the list so it can't be very current. Shame, he was wishing for a 2-stoke but got an old Fireblade instead  .

[TheBear]

I see Hayden on the list so it can't be very current. Shame, he was wishing for a 2-stoke but got an old Fireblade instead  .

And his lap times around Phillip Island on his "old Fireblade" was within milliseconds of his times during the 2015 Phillip Island MotoGP on the brand spanking new, MotoGP Honda.

[Snafu]

Honda had a 350 cc two stroke road bike.  They sold it about 5 to 8 years ago.  Only in Japan.  It was a massive success.  I went to visit family over there and we took a ride on them.  Awesome little bikes, and they were cheap...something like 30 odd grand.

Emissions were the same as a 4 stoke of the same displacement.  Apparently they just stop making them.

That cannot be correct. 

The two-stroke petrol (gasoline) engine was very popular throughout the 19th-20th century in motorcycles and small-engined devices, such as chainsaws and outboard motors. They were also used in some cars, a few tractors and many ships. Part of their appeal was their simple design (and resulting low cost) and often high power-to-weight ratio. The lower cost to rebuild and maintain made the two stroke engine very popular, until for the USA their EPA mandated more stringent emission controls in 1978 (taking effect in 1980) and in 2004 (taking effect in 2005 and 2010). The industry largely responded by switching to four-stroke petrol engines, which emit less pollution.[2] Most small designs use petroil (two-stroke oil)) lubrication, with the oil being burned in the combustion chamber, causing "blue smoke" and other types of exhaust pollution. This is a major reason why two-stroke engines were replaced by four-stroke engines in many applications.

I think it is very possible with Direct Inject 2 strokes.

I saw a comparison between a Mercury 4t and the Mercury Optimax 2t Di and the emissions were very close. I cannot find it now, but will keep looking

[TheBear]

Honda had a 350 cc two stroke road bike.  They sold it about 5 to 8 years ago.  Only in Japan.  It was a massive success.  I went to visit family over there and we took a ride on them.  Awesome little bikes, and they were cheap...something like 30 odd grand.

Emissions were the same as a 4 stoke of the same displacement.  Apparently they just stop making them.

That cannot be correct. 

The two-stroke petrol (gasoline) engine was very popular throughout the 19th-20th century in motorcycles and small-engined devices, such as chainsaws and outboard motors. They were also used in some cars, a few tractors and many ships. Part of their appeal was their simple design (and resulting low cost) and often high power-to-weight ratio. The lower cost to rebuild and maintain made the two stroke engine very popular, until for the USA their EPA mandated more stringent emission controls in 1978 (taking effect in 1980) and in 2004 (taking effect in 2005 and 2010). The industry largely responded by switching to four-stroke petrol engines, which emit less pollution.[2] Most small designs use petroil (two-stroke oil)) lubrication, with the oil being burned in the combustion chamber, causing "blue smoke" and other types of exhaust pollution. This is a major reason why two-stroke engines were replaced by four-stroke engines in many applications.

I think it is very possible with Direct Inject 2 strokes.

I saw a comparison between a Mercury 4t and the Mercury Optimax 2t Di and the emissions were very close. I cannot find it now, but will keep looking

Might well be, but we are talking about a very cheap 350cc motorcycle engine in this case.