I own a 98 Magnum 4x4 and am considering a 2000 trailblazer for my wife. Should I be concerned about the dependability of the 2 cycle engine? Will the 2 cycle engine last as long as the 4 cycle?

 

I have owned several different types of 2 and 4 stroke engines over the last 10 years. I currently still have off road toys with both.

In my experience I can offer this. In general most people will say that 4 strokes last longer. In many cases they are right. However most 2 strokes are ridden hard and raced. The average 2 stroke dirt bike or ATV is usually a rocket fast race machine, or at the least many riders ride them as though they are. For example the Banshee which is revved very high and rode hard will need a top end rebuild at least once per year. Same goes for 2 stroke dirt bikes. Most people revv the crap out of them ( which is truely how they are designed to be ridden) and need new rings and piston every year or so.

4 strokes will not take this abuse. They are low revving, low torque, thumpers. Lots of power lower on the RPM's where 2 strokes have all the power higher up the RPM scale. So generally they last longer, naturally produce less heat, better lubrication, better fuel economy, less noise, less pollution..ect...But lack that power snap of a 2 stroke.

In the case of your wife a two stroke Trialblazer should be fine. In general most wemon tend to ride less agressive then males. Most don't have that "I must be faster, climb higher and do longer wheelies than my friends" male instinct.

My wife rides a 1991 Trialboss 250 2 stroke and we have yet to rebuild the engine. It is a great quad for her and just about any beginner.

If your wife is an agressive rider and wants to race at the sand dunes and loves lots of speed, then no matter if you buy a 2 or 4 stroke, either is a good choice. Polaris makes very fast 2 and 4 stroke quads.

If it were up to me to get my wife a new quad I would push her towards either the Trailblazer of the Trailboss. These are both excellent quads.

Good luck, Keith

 

Historically the U.S. Navy has found that 2 stroke outboard engines have a life of about 2,000 hours before a rebuild is required. The fourstroke outboards that they have maintained last for about 14,000 hours.

Now an ATV averages about 10MPH so we could say that an ATV could last 20,000 miles with a 2 cycle engine.

However, an atv is subject to more temperature stress than an outboard motor; but, an outboard motor operates at a higher rpm. so....

Personally I have seen 2 stroke Polaris models with over 5,000 miles which have not required engine work. Those are just the ones that I have seen, I am sure that somebody has seen some with more miles and some with less miles.

 

The Trailblazer should be dependable because Polaris did not try to sgueeze lots of horse power out of the 250 like the Honda 250r did so I do not think it is heavly stressed.

 

I have owned / own 3 Polaris 2-srokes. They all go well and last long. Never re-built anything. A lot of speedy power in a 2-stroke. Unless you are racing it should last forever!

 

Keithb,
That was a great post! I agree with you 100%, as far as the dependability of 2 strokes. I'm looking for a quad for my wife as well.
This question is for everyone, though. I'm looking at the Xplorer 250. I want the 4x4. I don't intend on taking her through alot of mud, but there is no doubt we will. I'm a woods rider. I love snaking my way around trees, over logs, whatever I come across. The majority of my time is spent at low rpm's. OK, here's the question, finally. How do the newer 2 strokes react to the lower rpm use? I'm sure oils have improved over the years. I don't want to change plugs once or twice a trip. The bikes I've owned, way, way back in the 70's, if you weren't on um', they weren't runnin'.
I guess typing this post, I've answered my own question. I should be concidering a 4 stroke. Unless you guy's can tell me different.

Brian

 

Dusty, In regards to your 2 stroke low RPM woes, remember that the Polaris 250 2 Stroke ATV's usually have a high/low range gear selector. This makes it crawl like a tank at low speed over tough terrain. You revv the engine into the power sweet spot and the low range keeps the speed doon and is very managable. High performance 2 strokes will fall flat on their faces at low rpm in too high a gear, where a 4 stroke will still pull out due to the low torque characteristics.

I find thought that the Polaris PVT pulley system does an awesome job always keeping that 2 stroke motor right at the sweet spot. It it hard to bog down as it is always compensating for torque and speed.

One of the biggest reasons we all love Polaris ATV's...That awsome auto tranny!

Keith

 

I HAVE A 96 TRAILBOSS AND IT HAS BEEN TROUBLE FREE UP UNTIL ABOUT A YEAR AGO.I WAS USING 87 OCTANE FUEL AND DOING ALOT OF SLOW SPEED TRAILING AND USING IT TO HAUL OUR GARDEN TRAILER AROUND.I WENT BACK TO 93 OCTANE AND INSTALLED THE OPTIONAL COOLING FAN AND EVERYTHING IS BACK TO NORMAL.AS FAR AS POWER GOES;I'VE PULLED MY NEIGHBORS 400EX OUT OF OUR CREEK SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO PROBLEM.