Nick Brewer

The History of Dirt Bikes

Combs, Dan

11-19-2010 Nick Brewer English II Research paper Combs, Dan 11-16-10

1. Who was the first person to invent a dirt bike?

There have been many names tied to the invention of the dirt bike, but according to ehow contributor,

Timothy Sexton, “Some attribute the invention of the dirt bike, or at least the most notable inspiration for what would become the modern day dirt bike to two German inventors named Gottlieb Daimler (yes, that Daimler) and Wilhelm Maybach.” (Sexton).

2. Why are they going to start making two stroke engines again ?

The were many reasons why companies started making two stroke engines again, but according to

Rich, a fuzing.com contributor, ” The 2 stroke will make a comeback some day. The reason for my feeling that way is simplicity and over all riding experience. I do own a z450 so I like the 4 strokes too, but the quickness and the light feeling of a 2 stroke really does make the riding experience very enjoyable. Also, the cheaper maintenance cost and the ease of doing maintenance on a 2 stroke is very appealing. They can tolerate getting abused and getting put away wet with far fewer complaints than a thumper. What it'll take to get them to make a comeback is the million dollar question, and it has been openly debated here and elsewhere for years. I just hope that I'll still be young enough to enjoy it.” (“Multiple”).

3. What is the difference between a two stroke and four stroke engines?

The four stroke and two stroke engine is very different.” To understand the mechanical differences between a two stroke and four stroke engine, lets first consider how the four stroke engine works. The four strokes are:

Intake: The piston travels down the cylinder while the intake valve is opened to allow a mixture of fuel and air to enter the combustion chamber. Compression: The intake valve is closed and the piston travels back up the cylinder thereby compressing the gasses. Combustion: The spark plug ignites the compressed gas causing it to explode, which forces the piston down. Exhaust: The piston rises up the cylinder as the exhaust valve is opened, allowing the piston to clear the chamber to start the process over.”(Kayne).

4. What are five different types of dirt bikes?

There are many times of dirt bikes in the world but the five biggest ones, according to both cha cha.com and yahoo answers the top five are Honda, Suzuki, ktm, Kawasaki, and Yamaha. Honda consistently has the top of the line dirt bikes.

5. Why did most companies quit making two stroke dirt bikes?

There seem to be many reasons why companies quit making two stroke engines, but according to Josie

Garthwaite, “The reason most companies quit making them was because the pollutants that came from the motors was twice as much as the regular four stroke motor”(Garthwaite).

6. What is the most reliable engine two stroke or four stroke?

There are many opinions’s on which ones better the two stroke or four stroke? According to motorcycle information,” 4-stroke Dirt Bikes are quickly replacing 2-strokes in the market and are an excellent choice for trail riding and motocross. For the less-experienced rider, 4-strokes are a bit easier to handle since they don’t usually have a big power band to manage (a “power band is a range of higher engine rpm where the power quickly increases, usually by a lot). Take a look around today, and you will find a lot of great new 4-stroke dirt bikes in all sizes and for new riders and experts. The best thing about 4-strokes is that you don’t need to worry about mixing ratios of oil and gas, which if you get wrong will ruin your engine.

Another great thing is that they don’t pollute as much and normally are not nearly as loud, unless you add a high performance exhaust system”(motorcycle).

7. What are dirt bikes used for?

There are many different uses for dirt bikes an here’s a few by W, John an ehow contributor. ”Early

motocross events were outdoor (cross-country) races over dirt courses. Early motocross bikes were

nothing more than British street bikes with off-road knobby tires, sometimes called "scramblers." As dirt

bike motorcycle technology evolved, so did the races. Courses became shorter. Turns became tighter.

Jumps became bigger. And eventually, motocross moved indoors to what is now called "arena-cross." Not all motocross bikes are used for racing, but they are designed for short bursts of acceleration, fast stops, and quick turns. When they are not used for racing, a motocross bike is more apt to be used in a condensed recreational riding area that mimics a tight motocross track, rather than a long trail, which is better suited for an enduro. Enduro-The scrambler came to be known as an enduro. An enduro is a great all-purpose dirt bike. There are also enduro races. As the name implies, they are about endurance and consistency, as much as quickness and speed. They are not always used for racing, though. They are just as well-suited to ride on a farm or to ride recreationally in the woods, though enduros that are not specifically designed for enduro races may also be called "trail bikes." On-road/Off-road-The dual sport and the enduro have some similarities. It is called a dual sport because it is an on-road/off-road machine.

It is primarily suited for off-road applications, from a logging road to a single-track trail, to a wide-open desert. The ultimate test of these adventure bikes is the Baja 1000, a 1,000-mile race through the

California desert and the Baja Peninsula. Original "Baja" bikes may have been called enduros, but as dirt bikes got more specialized, an enduro has become more of a utility bike whereas a dual sport or adventure bike is more about speed. The dual sport typically has a larger frame, more rake in the front forks, a larger motor, and a suspension made to make 60 mph bumps feel (relatively) smooth. KTM and

BMW are dominant manufacturers in this category. Trials-Trials are sometimes called "racing," but they are more appropriately referred to as a "competition" because they are not about going fast. While trials are a timed event, they are about precision. Trials riders navigate a slow-speed off-road course, riddled with large rocks, boulders and other seemingly impassable obstacles. The object is to travel the course without falling or putting your feet down. The trials rider is all about skill and balance. The earliest trials bikes were essentially scramblers, though manufactures began making specialty trials bikes as early as the 1960s, bikes like the legendary Bultaco Sherpa. Hill Climbs-Hill climbs involve the rider trying to ride up a steep dirt hill. This is achieved with yet another category of dirt bike that is still a "make it yourself" machine. Various kinds of motors, frames, and other components are used from different machines and different applications to build what is essentially an uphill, off-road dragster on two wheels to traverse the hill climb”(Johnw). 8. What is the difference between Honda and Suzuki?

There are many comments on which brand is better Honda or Suzuki, but according to Favors, Paul an ehow contributor” In the beginning, there was not much of a difference between the normal motorcycles and ATV's, but soon the fierce competition guided these companies to more innovation and technical improvements in the machines The rigid frames were changed to suspensions by the 1930's. In another 20 years, the swinging fork rear suspension made its appearance. When the 250 cc races became popular, the 2-stroke machines were favored for their lightness and agility and by the sixties, the four-stroke bikes were relegated to niche competitions”(Favors).

9. Why is a two stroke faster than A four stroke?

There are many comments on which engine is faster but according to kayne, R a wise geek

contributor” A two stroke has more get-up-and-go because it fires once every revolution, giving it twice

the power of a four stroke, which only fires once every other revolution. Packs a higher weight-to-

power ratio because it is much lighter. Is less expensive because of its simpler design. Can be operated

in any orientation because it lacks the oil sump of a four stroke engine, which has limited orientation if

oil is to be retained in the sump. These attributes make two stroke engines very popular for a variety of

uses from dirt bikes, mopeds, jet skis, and small outboard motors, to lawn and garden equipment such as

mowers, edger’s, leaf blowers, chain saws and hedge trimmers. But there are other differences between

the two stroke and four stroke engines that aren't so favorable, which is why you won't see two stroke

engines in cars”(kayne).

10.Why isn't there just one brand of dirt bike?

There are many different types of dirt bikes and the reason they’re made is because of competition, but according to Wagner, Rob an ehow contributor” Dirt bikes are lightweight, off-road motorcycles built with a rugged frame, special tires and stiff suspension to navigate hilly, rough terrain in all types of weather. Dirt bikes are used in motocross racing events held in North America, Europe and Asia. Adverse conditions require these bikes to be specially constructed, with many high-performance components incorporated into street motorcycles, including cruisers and sports bikes. By the 1970s, Japanese motorcycle makers muscled out the British bikes with Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki and Honda leading off-road competition. The bikes are powered either by a two-stroke or four-stroke engine with the smaller two-stroke mixing oil and gas simultaneously, while a four-stroke reuses the oil much like an automobile”(Wagner).

Bibliography

Dirt rider magazine. Back To Basics.magazine.July 2009 issue of dirt rider.12 November 2010.

Kayne ,R. “What is the Difference Between a Two Stroke and Four Stroke Engine?”wisegeek.

04 November 2010. 09 November 2010. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-

difference-between-a-two-stroke-and-four-stroke-engine.htm.

Moore, Edward. “The History and Evolution of Dirt Bikes”. Ezinearticles.com. 22 May 2010.11

November 2010. http://ezinearticles.com/?The-History-and-Evolution-of-Dirt-Bikes&id=4343327.

Motorcycle Information . “Dirt Bikes”motorcycleinfo.24 may 2010.10 November

2010.http://motorcycleinfo.org/dirt-bikes/.

“Multiple Uses For Dirt Bikes.” Fuzing. 23 May 2010. 09 November 2010.

http://blog.fuzing.com/2010/05/multiple-uses-for-dirt-bikes.htm.

Sexton, Timothy .”Who Invented the Dirt Bike?” ehow.2010.11-16-2010.

http://www.ehow.com/about_4706720_who-invented-dirt-bike.html.

“2 Stroke vs 4 Stroke: What's The Deal Anyway?” 2010.11-16-2010. http://www.

dirt-bike-tips-and-pics.com/2-stroke-vs-4-stroke.html.