Return of the CR 2-strokes! Ever since the official HONDA announcement, the internet has been ablaze. A leaked Honda release reveals that the CR500 would be making a comeback with fuel-injected variants, which was perhaps the most dependable and powerful 2 stroke motocross bike of its time.
In This Article...
Will Honda ever produce 2-stroke engines again?
Honda intends to revive two-stroke engines with a brand-new, fuel-injected, clean-burning screamer engine.
New two-stroke engines from the huge H are depicted in front and side elevation in patents that were recently published.
Tagged with the numbers 71, 70, and 74, a fuel injection system can be seen on the illustration above. The device is tilted upwards and positioned low in the cylinder. this is done to ensure that the fuel “cone” that is launched over the second scavenger port in the cylinder when it is sprayed into the chamber as an atomized mist.
Do Honda’s two-stroke dirt bikes still exist?
Three of the other main six manufacturers—Yamaha, KTM, Husqvarna, and Suzuki—continue to make two-stroke motocross bikes despite the fact that Honda, Kawasaki, and Suzuki no longer do so. KTM manufactures the 250 SX and 125 SX in addition to the 150 SX, a bike that sits between the two. With its TC 250 and TC 125 models, Husqvarna remains with the conventional 250 and 125 options. The same is true for Yamaha; if you’re looking for a MY20 two-stroke MXer built in Japan, your choices are the YZ250 and YZ125. With its MX 300, MX 250, MX 144, and MX 125 models, TM offers the most displacements in the full-size two-stroke motocross bike sector, while being the smallest manufacturer among those mentioned below in terms of size and production.
The last time a 2-stroke Honda was produced, when?
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.
Do 2-stroke motorcycles face a ban?
Modern motorcycle technology can be credited with its inception thanks to two-stroke engines. The tiny, compact engines that tore up the road and spewed smoke were incredibly potent. Contrary to modern systems that rely heavily on electronics, two-stroke engines were full mechanical marvels. So, in addition to being reasonably simple to maintain, their versatility attracted many people to modifying them into powerful race cars. Two-stroke motorcycles have always been there, from the “well of death” in circuses to quarter-mile drag strips on the highway.
However, if the Karnataka government has its way, the continued existence of these motorcycles may be in jeopardy. On April 1, 2019, it has suggested banning two-stroke three-wheelers. However, the deadline was extended to April 31, 2020 due to the overwhelming number of auto rickshaws on the road. This was done so that RTO representatives could renew the fitness certificates that had been provided to these rickshaws.
According to a report in Zigwheels, there is now no restriction on two-stroke motorcycles because no Indian RTO has the ability to do so. But since the BSVI pollution standards are about to go into effect, it could make sense to outlaw the old engines. Although many auto aficionados have great regard for several motorbikes, like the Yamaha RX100, RD 350, Yezdi Roadking, and Jawa, they are in risk of being permanently phased out due to the ever-tightening noose of emission requirements, a scarcity of spare parts, and general aging.
How come Honda stopped producing the CR500?
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.
How much did a new CR500 cost?
At $2,598 and a reported CR500 horsepower of 59 hp (43.4 kW), consumers were promised a great deal and got more than their money’s worth. The CR500 was highly praised for its power and price.
Honda will there be a CR500 in 2020?
Images of what appears to be a potential 2020 limited edition Honda CR500 have been published by a Kiwi website.
The following image was submitted on the New Zealand-based Dirtbike Lover website, and it’s not even April 1st yet.
Obviously, Honda has not confirmed this at this obvious Photoshop mock-up, but the website stated “HONDA.” a new CR5OO is in the works for the 2020 model lineups, according to a secret statement that was leaked within a HONDA Forum. The bike will have 92 horsepower, weigh 197 pounds, have a 14 kg lighter frame than the original, and have a top speed of 87 mph. There will be a finite number of the CR500.
Hold your breath, though; Honda has already unveiled all of its 2020 CR and CRF models. This bike obviously uses a four-stroke CRF throttle, and there doesn’t appear to be a silencer unless a little 125-style end can is supposed to be hidden beneath the side plate. Moreover, when was the last time a dirt bike made a top speed claim? Continue to daydream…
What caused them to quit producing 2 strokes?
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.
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 used to travel through Russia’s bitterly cold climate, and 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.
Which is faster, a 2- or 4-stroke engine?
The primary distinction between a 4-stroke engine and a 2-stroke engine is the number of stages or complete revolutions required to complete one power stroke. A 4-stroke engine requires four stages or two complete revolutions, whereas a 2-stroke engine only requires two stages or one complete revolution. This implies that a 2-stroke engine may have a power output that is twice as great as a 4-stroke engine while simultaneously being lighter.
Stroke Engine
Environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient, four-stroke engines. They function in four stages:
- A downward stroke of fuel is sucked in while the intake valve is open.
- Compression: The fuel is compressed when the piston rises.
- Fuel is ignited after it has been compressed to provide the engine’s power.
- Exhaust: The exhaust valve opens, allowing the cylinder’s exhaust gases to leave.
Stroke Engine
In a two-stroke engine, the power and exhaust steps are combined with the compression and ignition steps on the upstroke. Although there are fewer moving components needed for this procedure, less torque is produced.
The two-step method entails:
- In the upstroke (ignition/compression), the piston rises and the crankcase is entered by fuel and air. Compressed air and gasoline are combined, then ignited.
- After the fuel ignites, the piston is depressed during the downstroke (power/exhaust), causing the exhaust to be released.
The optimal engine type for you will depend on the requirements of your application. Both engine types offer advantages and disadvantages. While 2-stroke engines are lighter and faster than 4-stroke engines, 4-stroke engines function better and often live longer than 2-stroke engines.
What 2-stroke dirt bike has the fastest speed?
KTM produces the fastest 2-stroke dirt bike on the market out of the three brands mentioned above.
In terms of top speed, the KTM EXC 300 is almost on par with the top dirt bike on our list (the KTM 450SX-F).
The rider receives an increase in low-end speed when needed thanks to the 2-stroke engine’s faster power output.