The CR 500cc 2-Stroke dirt bike was discontinued by Honda in 2001, and the CR 85, 125, and 250cc 2-Stroke dirt bikes were discontinued by Honda in 2008. If you have ever driven a 2-stroke motorcycle, you will understand that it offers a very different, if not superior, riding experience than a 4-stroke engine.
In This Article...
Honda still produces 2 strokes?
Honda dedicated themselves to the two-stroke motor in 1996. The business invested millions in developing the first fuel-injected two-stroke motorcycle in anticipation of upcoming tighter pollution standards. Technology that had never been used before and hasn’t subsequently was employed in the EXP-2 project. The Nevada Rally and the Baja 1000 provided testing grounds for the prototype. Later, the project was shelved because four-strokes offered a more affordable answer. Here is what we said in the July 1995 Dirt Bike article regarding our test ride on the EXP-2.
Honda wants to keep the two-stroke alive. The business has created a brand-new two-stroke engine with low emissions that doesn’t utilize lean carburetion or systems to clean up the exhaust. It uses Activated Radical Combustion, a completely different combustion method that creates less pollution, hence it produces less pollution. The best part is that the new engine performs better than certain current two-strokes in various ways!
Let’s take a step back. For bikes sold for off-road use, the California Air Resources Board may enact stringent new emissions standards as early as 1997. at this time. The rules do not apply to closed-course vehicles (motocross models). The issue is that the new standards cannot be met by contemporary two-stroke engines. Even while the emissions police won’t come after you and seize any two-strokes you own, manufacturers won’t be allowed to market non-compliant products. There is a wider issue here than just Californians. With regard to emissions rules, the rest of the United States and, to some extent, the rest of the globe intends to follow California’s example.
Why did two strokes vanish?
Because they were unable to adhere to the increasingly stringent EPA rules for automobile exhaust emissions, two-stroke engines were forced off the market. The simplicity of having only three moving parts—the crankshaft, con-rod, and piston—which made two-stroke engines appealing, was also its downfall.
When did Honda begin producing two-stroke engines?
In 1973, the CR250M Elsinore went on sale. It was one of the first in its class, with a two-stroke engine, and set the bar for two-stroke motorcycle advancement. Little changed in the CR250M design in 1974 or 1975. Honda updated the CR250M and renamed it the CR250R in 1978, with the R denoting racing. [8] Honda unveiled a redesigned suspension in 1981. A new hydraulic front disc brake and an exhaust valve were added to the 1984 model. [9] Minor modifications to the CR250R between then and 1990 included a larger carburetor, Showa front suspension, and hydraulic back brake.
A redesigned, more aggressive design for the CR250R was introduced in 1992, but it had the drawback of providing more power than the CR250R’s frail steel frame could handle. Numerous riders urged Honda to switch to a stronger frame, but successful riders who were sponsored by Honda, such Jeremy McGrath and Ronnie Mac alone the screaming eagle, preferred the previous stiff, fragile design. The aluminum frame was first introduced in 1997. Although many racers favored this frame, the bike was not popular with ordinary riders in the desert, so Honda began a redesign and unveiled an enhanced aluminum frame in 2000. The bike was made faster and lighter in 2002, and a third-generation aluminum frame and electronic power valve were included. The 249 cc (15.2 cu in) liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine in the Honda CR250 generated roughly 45 horsepower. [10] It had a two-gallon petrol tank and a five-speed transmission with Showa suspension. [11] Honda made the announcement that after that year, they would stop making two-stroke engines.
Will Honda bring back two-stroke engines?
These two-stroke engines provide a unique sound. However, due to pollution limits, production had to be terminated. Also, compared to 2-stroke engines, 4-stroke engines are far more dependable and carbon-free. However, there is now good news!
Honda intends to bring back 2-stroke fuel-injected engines that burn fuel cleaner and more reliably while producing less emissions.
As you can see from the photos above, the fuel-injection may be represented by the numbers marked 70, 71, and 74. As you can see, the injector is inclined upward and situated low in the cylinder. The engine will start up cleanly and effectively thanks to this setup, which will allow the gasoline to be sprayed into the chamber as an atomized mist that is aimed precisely and at perfect intervals.
Compared to the traditional 2-stroke engines we are used to seeing, this 2-stroke engine innovation appears to be considerably more reliable.
Now all we can hope for is that Honda develops this engine quickly so we may revel in the two-stroke craziness! Excited?
What 2-stroke Honda model did Honda make last?
A Hondaracing dirt bike was the Honda CR250R. The prototype was constructed in 1971, but sales of the 1973 model “out of the box racers” to the general public did not start until late in 1972. The CR250’s final year of manufacturing was 2007, after almost 37 years of existence. [2]
Honda built an aluminum motocross motorcycle chassis in 1997, a first for the industry. These “first generation” steel frames were thick and robust, which marked a significant improvement over the earlier steel frames, whose early years had experienced flexibility as an issue. In an effort to prevent lean mixture preignition, the 1997-8 engines came with a redesigned stator that provided DC voltage for the new Keihin carburetor with an electronic “Power Jet” system. A rectifier/regulator and a capacitor were part of the new electrics. Although the Power Jet was no longer present, the 1999 model was nearly comparable.
The “second generation” aluminum frame for 2000 included smaller twin-spars, which reduced stiffness and improved handling. Older PJ versions were replaced by the Keihin PWK carburetor. The CDI box has an 8000 RPM cap. With the exception of a redesigned CDI box that increased the redline by 500 RPM and added two more horsepower, the 2001 model was essentially unchanged. Weather variations caused the new Mikuni TMX carburetor to behave temperamentally.
Honda ended the exceptional interchangeability that had existed from 1992 to 2001 for 2002.
A brand-new engine was introduced, replacing the centrifugally operated exhaust valve system in use since 1992 with an electronically controlled, cable-operated RC valve and switching from cylinder to engine case reed induction. The carburetor now has a TPS (Throttle Position Sensor), which is powered by a new stator. There was no ping sensor anywhere, but the ECM would now be able to delay the ignition timing to prevent preignition.
A third and final generation of the CR250 aluminum chassis, which was thinner and had superior flex characteristics, also debuted. Up until the end of this 2-stroke’s manufacture in 2007, the engine and chassis remained the same with just minor suspension and plastics modifications. The case reed engine may have the best design, but Honda never fully exploited it since four stroke engine development quickly captured the industry’s focus. The aftermarket was a necessity for many owners of the final generation of the CR250 in order to maximize that engine’s performance. The 2001 variants of the CR250, which are regarded as the greatest of the best ever made, are still enjoyed by fans.
Is it more difficult to ride a 2-stroke than a 4-stroke?
More useful power is delivered to the ground thanks to the 4-stroke engine’s increased torque. Modern 4-stroke motorcycles are frequently getting easier and easier to ride than their 2-stroke cousins. Four-stroke engines all have the capacity to deliver power to the ground.
What causes the noisy 2-stroke engines?
Ever wonder why 2-stroke engines are consistently noisier than 4-stroke engines? It is frequently observed that the loud, odd sound that 2-stroke motorcycles make makes them easy to recognize. The cause of this is equally intriguing and enigmatic as 2-stroke engines themselves. We will attempt to thoroughly describe each of the factors that contribute to a 2-stroke engine’s noisy feature in this article.
The 2-stroke petrol engine’s fundamental design and operation are the primary causes of the loud noise it makes. The 2-stroke is distinguished by creating power in two complete crankshaft cycles as opposed to the 4-Stroke petrol engine, which produces power across four cycles. A two-stroke engine, in contrast to its four-stroke sibling, ignites at every cycle, to put it simply. This means that at a given RPM, a 2-stroke engine fires twice as often as a 4-stroke engine, creating not just nearly twice as much power and almost twice as much noise.
Why is a two stroke so quick?
There is a small amount of oil put into the fuel for 2-stroke engines. It is known as a “2-stroke because the whole cycle of intake, compression, combustion, and exhaust is performed by just one upward and downward movement of the piston. Instead of using intake or exhaust valves, scavenging ports, which are tiny holes in the cylinder wall, are utilized to suck in air and release exhaust. A 2-stroke engine produces more power than a 4-stroke engine and delivers that power more instantly since combustion occurs with each crankshaft turn. These are some of the factors that contribute to the lengthy history of 2-stroke engines being used in a wide range of motorcycle types. Since 4-stroke engines naturally have higher fuel efficiency and less exhaust smoke, however, demand for more environmentally friendly performance has increased. Yamaha only produces 2-stroke motorcycles for closed-course competition and a few models for export as of 2019. Despite this, Yamaha 2-stroke products are still widely used because of their outstanding reliability, simplicity, lightweight design, and relatively low maintenance requirements. Today, Yamaha 2-stroke snowmobiles are utilized to travel through Russia’s bitterly cold climate, while our 2-stroke outboard engines are frequently used for fishing in Africa. And a lot of motorcycle aficionados still adore 2-stroke engines for their powerful, astounding acceleration. For 4-stroke engines, there is no oil added to the fuel, and the piston moves up and down twice during each combustion cycle, therefore the name “4-stroke. However, 4-stroke engines need highly precise intake and exhaust valves, which makes this engine style more complex, heavier, and has additional drawbacks. However, they give consistent power, have good fuel economy, produce lower emissions, and more. Because of this, 4-stroke engines are found in practically all two-wheel vehicles, from large motorbikes to small scooters.
What caused the CR500 to be retired?
The CR500 was only produced until 2001, after which Honda stopped making them. This was brought on by the 1993 discontinuation of the AMA 500 motocross competitions. Honda stopped paying as much attention to the CR500 because there was no longer a specific motocross race for the bike to participate in.
When did Honda cease producing the CR500?
The Honda CR500 may look dull to riders who don’t ride in open classes. After all, this immovable 500-cc behemoth already comes equipped with all the strength and dependability that other dirt bike categories want. But for the astute aficionado, this bulky two-wheeler offers more than just raw power and rip-your-face-off speed. Some interesting facts regarding this illustrious dirt bike will be covered in this essay.
Honda made the 491-cc MX-style dirt bike known as the CR500 from 1984 through 2001. With an air/liquid-cooled CR500 engine, dual disc brakes, and cartridge-type suspension, it was undoubtedly the most potent open-class motorcycle of its day. It also had a peak horsepower of 67.6 and a top speed of 93 mph.