Gardner: Two-strokes will be back

New low-cost, emission-friendly technology could signal new era for screamers, says 500cc champ

Posted: 24 August 2010
by Visordown News
Gardner: 1990 Czech GP

TWO STROKES WILL make a return to Grand Prix racing - that's the view of former 500cc World Champion Wayne Gardner in his latest ramble on the rider's official website.

The Australian, best known lately for his forthright views on the world of Grand Prix racing, believes new low-emission two-stroke technology, coupled with the fact that 'smokers' are easier to run and maintain than four-stroke motors, could signal the return of screamers to GP racing.

Gardner is so convinced strokers will make a comeback he says he's prepared to "put money on it". Quite something for an Aussie.

"The signs are already there," says Gardner. "In motocross, KTM and Husqvarna are just two of the companies reverting to two-strokes because they can't afford the cost and the weight associated with four-stroke technology."

The 1987 champion believes Dorna (the governing body of MotoGP) may have no other option than revert to two-strokes if they're serious about cost cutting with a view to running a sustainable race series.



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User 74323
I don't think so, dirty 'orrible smelly things

Posted: 24/08/2010 at 14:32


Shel Shel

Yeah, strokers are definitely the way to go..

 Can't wait for their return


Posted: 24/08/2010 at 15:14


mobus
Can we trade Wayne gardner for Two-stokes?

Posted: 24/08/2010 at 17:49


allister mcki
hope so mcwilliams could show the new boys how to ride them sooooooooooooo fast. Only drawback was the smell but I still love strokers as one of my first bikes and still great memories

Posted: 24/08/2010 at 18:47


Tapmyhed

Wayne gardner is a stroke er.

Is he bored or something?????


Posted: 24/08/2010 at 19:42


Frank X

Two strokes should never have gone away.

They were not done developing them.

New direct injection technology, which means no oil being burnt in the cumbustion process, makes for a clean running two stroke.

Can't wait for their return! 


Posted: 24/08/2010 at 20:46


scott neale
er no thanks.... il d much rather the howl of an RCV when the racings on, not the narky buzz of what sounds like an angry bee in a biscuit tin !  Two strokes sound great at full chat when your actually at the track but it doesnt convert well to TV, and thats where alot of the money is now, viva la four stroke !!!

Posted: 25/08/2010 at 08:29


Gus it

Here's hoping four strokes are 'deisels' compared to the fun of strokers.

I can see provateer teams developing 2 stroke motors if allowed as they're easier to make & cheaper usually.  What about 4 cyl 1000cc 4 strokes vs 750 3 cyl 2 strokes as a formula - that'd sound great & might even give private teams a chance at a podium which could only be a good thing surely!


Posted: 25/08/2010 at 14:57


Tee Jay
This kind of "news" happens to show up when a second league ex-champion and internet are available. The holiday season is soon over, I can't wait...

Posted: 25/08/2010 at 17:27


bill gates 2
With the state of the sport and team finances at the moment i think looking at re-developing 2 strokes would be more than a bit unlikely.

Posted: 25/08/2010 at 17:49


Tom Cruise
Yea well I think all of you 4 stroke fans need to take a close look at the grid of recent motoGP class races. What happened to all the competitors??? What happened to the 30+ rider field of days gone by. I remember watching 500cc races from the early 90s and around that first or second turn those bikes just kept coming and coming and coming. It was a beautiful sight. By the end of the 2011 season there was only a handful of riders left, like maybe 15, max. This is because of the astronomical costs associated with operating a modern 4 stroke prototype racing outfit. Also what happened to the close racing? Casey stoner walked off and left the field at damn near every round. Of course he's talented but the Honda clearly had an unfair advantage as evidenced in the last round where Stoner whizzed by Ben Spies like a rocket on crack. Honda and four-strokes are ruining the sport we love so much. Personally I love the smell of premix in the morning, Bring em back!

Posted: 18/02/2012 at 05:01

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