Dirt bike wise what are pros and cons of 4-stroke and 2-stroke?

this may start some conflict but just wondered what you guys and gals thought :)

from what transworldmotocross* says 2 strokes have more zip and a bit more power but the down fall is four strokes last a lot longer time...i have a 1968 honda xl75 and the electronics went bad last year and my friends two stoke 85 which is like a '02 has fried so many piston rings and has done a lot of work on it.

I own and ride a 95 cr250 (2 stroke) and a 07 wr450 (4 stroke). Since I bought the wr I really havnt rode the 2 stroke much. The power in the yammy is so insane from the start all the way through. It is quite controlable though,The Honda cr was my first bike and I loved it. I poured all kinds of money and time into it. The basic jist of a 2 stoke is you have to ride it like you are MAD at it. The higher the rpm's the better, like your weed whacker. They tend to burn up plugs and piston rings but if you are mechanically inclined you can rebuild a 2 stroke lickety split.The 4 stroke has considerable more maintence with valve adjustments and carb adjs, but the low end power for trail riding is awsome, also the power is a little more predictable than the 2 stroke. If you trail ride I say 4 stroke, Your clutch arm will thank me. If you motocross 2 strokes are cool and lighter, there is the place for high rpm's, But now that I am a thumper I would look at a yz. model.

It's apples and oranges really. If you aren't going to race, 2 strokes are fine. They are a little cheaper to buy and to work on. If you get them jetted properly you won't foul plugs constantly, but you will still foul some. The power is more abrupt which some casual riders like the feel of, but to us racers all that means is that it isn't hooking up and we just got passed by a 4 stroke. A 2 stroke can be very fun to ride but you won't win any races on it, unless we're talking 85's in the mini class. I grew up riding and racing 2 strokes also, but I like winning so those days are behind me now.

I grew up on 2 strokes- i love the violent, explosive power band- also, they dont stall as easy 'cuz they fire twice as often- more top end rebuilds, though. four strokes are low maintenance, and modern 4 stroke technology is such that they are light & powerful, but they don't smell as cool

I prefer 2-strokes... maybe because that's what i grew up on Ive always loved when the power band kicked in.....reminds me of a turbo. mixing the gas was never fun and neither was fouled plugs. 4-strokes have that constant power band always there when you need it, less maintenance, less pollution.

2 - strokes are much louder and high pitched, you have to pre-mix the gas at a certain ratio, but the power band is great. 4 strokes are more consitant throughout the rpm ranges and are more reliable which means less maintainence.