The Rise of 4 Stroke Motorcycles

In 1966, Suzuki introduced the 250cc Super Six - a mechanical wonder, sporting a twin cylinder two stroke engine, made from alloy and exquisitely built. Six gears, a lubricating system that was a major step forward - two stokes before that, relied on oil being mixed with the petrol, and this was done by the rider, by pouring a set amount of oil into the petrol tank, at the time of filling; Suzuki did away with this y installing a pump on their machines, which injected oil into the fuel, from a dedicated oil tank; no more carrying plastic bottles of oil, to manually mix at fuel pumps.

The Super Six was billed as a 100mph machine - an incredible claim for a 250cc machine; in reality, 90 was barely attainable. But the machine was a delight, with handling, superb electrics and light weight all contributing to the pleasurable experience of riding a fine motorcycle.

Many more graceful machines followed, and it was a time of excitement as engineering marvels graced the roads; 200cc two stroke twins, 500cc twins, even a 750cc water cooled stroker. These machines were adapted for road racing by various factories and won considerable favour with riders. Two strokes ruled.

Those days are gone. The environment is fragile and governments restricted machines to an extent that they disappeared forever. Like everything else, common sense prevailed and progress killed off the exciting era

But the technology that went into those exciting machines, still survives: electronic ignition, disc brakes, solid wheels, tubeless tyres - to name but a few. The machines are dead, but the legacy lives on. The future is bright. The future is here.