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[Martin_1962]

I can't find any sign of the 500cc 2 stroke racers, what has happened.

MotoGP sounds like a version of World Super Bikes.

Very confusing

[Phil]

2 stroke engines in any form were banned in the EU last year (maybe the year before) so no one (apart from some American companies) makes a 2 stroke road bike (or outboard engine or lawn mower or go kart etc.), so theres no point in racing them.

The old 500cc is now 800cc Moto GP, hence the name change

Superbikes are still 1000cc

The main difference between 500cc and Superbikes used to be 2 and 4 stroke, but as stated above thats gone, MotoGP bikes are 'prototypes' and not available to the public, superbikes are 'off the shelf' racers, supposedly any way  

[Martin_1962]

2 stroke engines in any form were banned in the EU last year (maybe the year before) so no one (apart from some American companies) makes a 2 stroke road bike (or outboard engine or lawn mower or go kart etc.), so theres no point in racing them.

The old 500cc is now 800cc Moto GP, hence the name change

Superbikes are still 1000cc

The main difference between 500cc and Superbikes used to be 2 and 4 stroke, but as stated above thats gone, MotoGP bikes are 'prototypes' and not available to the public, superbikes are 'off the shelf' racers, supposedly any way  

2 stroke banned

What a sad state of affairs!

And I want a small light 2 stroke outboard

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Like myself Martin,you must be showing your age.
Whatever happened to the likes of Sheene, Roberts and Randy Mamola all on smoky 2 strokes.

[Phil]

2 stroke banned

What a sad state of affairs!

And I want a small light 2 stroke outboard

Sorry thats NEW 2 stroke bikes/ mowers/ outboards built and sold within the EU

You can still buy them 2nd hand, and new IF they were manufactured BEFORE the cut of date.

No one makes the little farting coco tin mopeds anymore because of the ban.

They still make 2 stroke outboards in the USA (Evinrude being one) they just cant be imported into the EU anymore

*EDITED TO ADD*

Actually ban is possibly the wrong word, the regulations have been set for the motor to conform with emission standards, unfortunately this makes it too expensive to manufacture in small capacity motors, hence why they are not available anymore

[Martin_1962]

Pain for learner motorcyclists - the 2 stroke learner bikes were quick - I had a 100cc of around 15 - 16 bhp!!!!

[Darth Loo-knee]

It was a few years ago this happened Martin and I was puzzled too as aslong as I remember GP bikes were always 2 stroke, Kevin Schwanz, Wayne Rainey, Eddie Lawson just to name a few....

But anyway found this:

In the 2002 season, 500 cc two-stroke engines were replaced with 990 cc four-stroke engines with as many as six cylinders. The engine capacity was reduced to 800 cc for the 2007 season.

[Martin_1962]

Hmmmmmmm


Were there any 6s

And how do these 800s compare to superbikes?

[Darth Loo-knee]

Hmmmmmmm


Were there any 6s

And how do these 800s compare to superbikes?

I must admit i finished watching bike racing around 1996 when we had our eldest so not well up on all what goes on now but I think there was a supersport which was 600cc

[Martin_1962]

Hmmmmmmm


Were there any 6s

And how do these 800s compare to superbikes?

I must admit i finished watching bike racing around 1996 when we had our eldest so not well up on all what goes on now but I think there was a supersport which was 600cc

I found it last night and I thought it was just another world superbike series.

[TheBoy]

Pain for learner motorcyclists - the 2 stroke learner bikes were quick - I had a 100cc of around 15 - 16 bhp!!!!

2 strokes awful for learners, due to extra maintenence. Not to mention the power band.  A 4 stroke is a much nicer bike to learn on.

Also, remember, that current restrictions go on power, not size

[albitz]

i dont think 2-strokes are actually banned as such.its more a case of the larger engined models not being able to meet emmisions regs. bimota did build a fuel injected 2-stroke to comply with regs.but the development bankrupt the co.and the bike was a pig to get running right .
as for the racing. when the class was 990cc most of the bikes were 4 cylinders apart from the honda which was a v5. the bikes are generally said to be easier to ride than the old 2- strokes were. they have F1type electronics (especially the ducati) whereas the old 500,s would highside you into the middle of next week if you didnt have very finely tuned throttle control. even though the 2 strokes were making around 210bhp (with a very narrow power band) and the 990 were making around 260.

[albitz]

Hmmmmmmm


Were there any 6s

And how do these 800s compare to superbikes?

the 600 (supersport)class is thefeeder class for world superbike.
the support classes for gp is 125 and 250 (still 2 stroke)
world superbike is 1000cc limit for 4 cylinder bikes and 1200cc for twins (to try to ensure ducati win)
the gp bikes are on a different level to wsb.they are bespoke,no expense spared F1type machines with much more chassis adjustment allowed and more sophisticated electronics etc; they are  around10-15% more powerful.and the calibre of rider tends to be a lot higher than in wsb.