Two stroke Vs. four stroke

[Vonklem]

I'm new to snowmobiling and am looking for some advice from experienced members. I live in Oregon and will be riding in heavy wet snow off the trails. I am a snowboarder looking access the backcountry. I know i need a long track, but do I get a two or four stroke? I have been told four strokes have a hard time in deep snow off the trails. Slow throttle response and less horse power per cc than a two stroke. Anyone ridden both two and four stroke in deep wet snow? Can you give me a pros and cons of both?

 

[TrailxRider]

I don't ride off trail but generally speaking 4 stroke sleds are a little heavier than 2 strokes due to larger engines. 4 Strokes have more torque and 4 stroke engines are more reliable than 2 stroke engines.

With the proper setup even with the 4 stroke off trail, it will be a great sled. I'm sure you'll get better answeres from other members who use their sleds the same that you'll be intended to use yours.

 

[peterdb]

according to your post you said you just want to 'access' the backcountry.....i view that as you are looking for a sled more as a way to get from point A to point B, rather than a high performance hill climbing deep pow sled. if thats the case get a little phazer mtx. you get 4 stroke (yamaha) reliability, light weight, and a mini torque montser all in one!

 

[morrisond]

I actually prefer 4 strokes off trail as there far superior low end torque allows you to be a lot more surgical. A two stroke in deep snow is all or nothing, with a 4 stroke you can slow down more and still accelerate.

The throttle response of 4 stroke Yammies(especially the Nytro) is incredible, will really get you up out of a hole in the deep stuff when you pin it.

The extra torque of the 4 stroke as well will be better in the deep snow.

If your concerned about weight just get a 4 stroke with a longer track and wider skis(162" 4 stroke vs. 153 2 stroke), your surface pressure will be the same and engine will work a lot better off trail.

Plus if you are in the back country, you don't want to be having to push a 2 stroke too it's limit and having it fail on you. Deep wet snow and 2 strokes don't mix.

4 strokes have a much higher MTBF - Mean time before failure.

A Nytro XTX or Mountain would be awesome off trail ( I don't think the Phazer has enough power). I would suggest the Ski-Doo 4 stroke as well but they don't make one with a track longer than 137"

If you are riding in really deep powder a lot (Mountains) get the Nytro Mountain 153 or 162, Otherwise get the Nytro XTX and put a 1.75" track on it, it will still be a great trail machine.

 

[Mighty]

according to your post you said you just want to 'access' the backcountry.....i view that as you are looking for a sled more as a way to get from point A to point B, rather than a high performance hill climbing deep pow sled. if thats the case get a little phazer mtx. you get 4 stroke (yamaha) reliability, light weight, and a mini torque montser all in one!

I'll 2nd this.

 

[twomorestrokes]

If you are mainly off trail, stay as light as you can. A Vector or Apex type sled is a lot of sled to muscle around and try to keep "afloat" with it's front end weight. Personally, if I stayed off trail all the time and the snow was fluffy, I'd stay with a two stroke to keep from wearing myself out and keep it up on top. I still own a couple two strokes and there is still a definite niche for them but I sure like the 4 stroke sleds better for all around use.

 

[woolyviper]

i looked at the title to this post and i said to myself "self, i bet the OP only has 1 post under his name". How do I do it?