Re: higher RPM's?
There are a number of causes for increased wear/maint. of a 2-Stroke vs 4-stroke... To simply attributite it to what is typically a slight increase in rpms alone would be a partial answer...<br /><br />AND you are right, this 2-S vs 4-S debate, raises a lot of blood pressures with many folks, so rather than get this "spirited debate" started all over again, let's just say you are on the right track regarding which is the lower maintainence, and let it go at that...<br /><br />If you're SERIOUSLY wanting to delve into this topic deeper, I suggest you do so by researching for results of comparison experiments, were the conductors of the research had no pre-concieved notions or reason to be biased. (IE, I would be a tad gun-shy about taking Bombadier's, or Mercury, or Honda, or OMC, or Yamaha, or XYZ's advertisement "facts" as gospel...)<br /><br />I suggest you search for information from test groups, who performed the tests, in an attempt to get to the facts.<br /><br />Some possible resources for your consideration:<br /><br />A- the lubrication industry (Shell oil, Texaco, Exxon, Union 76, etc...)<br />B- Consumers Union<br />C- Results from "cost of ownership/operations" from fleet operators who are interested ONLY in the absolute bottom line cost of owning specific types of equipment. (I seem to recall some SAE publications and papers on this cost of ownership topic, where 2-strokes and 4-strokes were compared and the results of the study... I believe the study was performed by a group of graduate students from Cornell University, College of Engineering, but I could have those wires crossed, as it's been a while since I read-up on this topic). At any rate, I seem to recall that the results of their research was "presented" at one of the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineer's) conferences a few years ago. The publications should be available through SAE. You might try searching the SAE website for info...<br /><br />Good luck, Obiwan Jeeper
