Two-strokes Are Returning! Hallelujah!

I think the biggest difference between two-stroke and four-stroke engines is the attitude. Two-strokers feel free and wild with a child-like zeal for life, whereas four-strokers feel like adulthood- always evolving, forever adjusting to fit into society better. The death of two-stroke engines from the commercial biking scene was certainly good for the environment, but it left a gaping hole in the hearts of enthusiasts. 

But it looks like Italian engine manufacturer Motori Minarelli has found a way to make the famous two-stroke ‘ring-ding-ding’ soundtrack echo on the streets once again. All while making a 300cc two-stroke engine Euro-5 (BS6) compliant, which started out as a 250cc mill from the Yamaha YZ250 enduro bike. 

See, in a conventional two-stroker the injection, ignition, expansion and exhaust cycle happen in two stages instead of four like in four-strokers. Hence, that quick pace meant low efficiency and excessive exhaust gasses. Which is why, this new engine features fuel injection, electric start and an exhaust valve to improve the low and mid-range performance while also circumnavigating the emission problems of a traditional two-stroker. Exact engine perforamnce specifications are still under wraps.

Furthermore, it was built in conjunction with the University of Modena who added a neat decompression system which reduces mechanical momentum. In simple terms - they have managed to introduce an anti-stall system in a two-stroker.

Motori Minarelli makes engines for Fantic, a dyed-in-the-wool off-road bikemaker, and it’s likely that this engine will make its way onto future Fantic models. In fact, Motori Minarelli has given a closed set of factory riders this engine to test in their upcoming races. While it may not be as sprightly as a purebred two-stroker, the engine maker is hoping it will dominate with its best-of-both-worlds tech.

Why is this tech so important? Well because it offers hope. Hope that two-strokers will roam the streets again without offending any Polar bears and maybe not too long in the future I will have the opportunity to buy a Yamaha RX100 once again. Or maybe finally have the opportunity to own a RD350 with modern hardware.