If you were to go to the store and purchase some mechanical product to make your life easier, or entertain you – the typical stuff that we find advances in technology make cheaper and better, let’s say something obvious, a computer; what would you think is the more technologically advanced product? Here are your options as a consumer:
A 1960’s designed computer - that fills up the largest room in your house because of the massive circuitry, wiring and cooling requirements that operates at a huge fraction of what a modern computer would put out or, the modern PC that we have today that can fit conveniently on the desk. Here's another. DVD or VHS tape?

Of course you’d choose the technically advanced products of today. Why? They're smaller, faster, easier to use, and because there are less moving parts and complication, which makes newer technology cheaper – not only to buy, but to fix as well! Ok, so you see where I’m going with this. Generally speaking, if you are to design a product, purely from a technical perspective (no politics or business involved), the product that does the required job but is less complex, is the better product, why? You just read why.

So why is it different with our off-road motorcycle engines? Well, not much research beyond the links in this site alone will indicate that that’s the political and business aspect of our consumer choices. That’s the end that’s presented to us in Dirt Wheels and on TV and radio, and on the smiling face of the dim bulb at the parts counter and sales desk down at the dealership. It’s up to us to decide what we ultimately want to ride – and that part is personal preference and I see NO problem at all with it. But for those who got stuck at the thought that the only reason Honda has their pros riding 4strokes is because it’s advanced technology, well, chances at the very least, they’ve never really had to design, build and maintain a consumer product before.

These are Honda schematics of an 80's 250cc 2stroke and the “modernized for the consumer world!” 250Fcc 4stroke. The power differences between the two normally aspirated motors are not equal. The 2stroke version puts out just a couple to a few less peak horsepower than the 450cc version of the modern 4stroke. Ok, that’s the beginning… when they are normally aspirated engines designed for the same purpose, when one has to draw considerably more fuel and air to make the same power, it’s not the advancement in technology applied toward making more power that people are thinking, is it? It’s more correct to say that it’s an evolution of technology meant to meet the demands of 2 important factors. Factor 1: the politics of the environment. Newly derived from factor 1, factor 2: 2stroke consumers.

Ok, the next clue that we’re not dealing with an advancement in technology: complexity! Holy sh*t!!!! Look at it! This is the part to me that really screams arrested development. Believe me, this new product line was NOT a small undertaking for the manufacturers. This product costs cash on all levels the manufacturers deal in, and if you like it and are buying it, then they spent it wisely.

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Ok, I said my 2cents. Your turn to do the thinking:

1986-89 Honda TRX250R – 2 images. Do you think the CRF is a more advanced power maker?