The 250GP Two-Stroke Demise
Honda are desperately trying to rid GP's of 2-stroke engines, and claim that no more will be made from 2010. Jan Witteveen, the man behind Aprilia's wondrous smaller category success, expressed his concerns over the potential loss.Both KTM and Aprilia, the leading manufacturers of 250GP machines, have both cast doubt on their participation in any such four-stroke class. "The engine dynamic of the 250cc 2-stroke engine; the relation between the throttle and rear wheel makes them, besides MotoGP, the most reactive bike," Jan Witteveen said.
"Who is riding fast in 250 today, is a guarantee for MotoGP of tomorrow. Canceling the 250s means more difficulty to find the right riders." The two-strokes keep the class cheap, as development cost are shared because the engines are very similar.
A four-stroke alternative would likely be a 600cc engine, and thus very costly. We're all for progress, but this doesn't sound like it. Last week the Motorcycle Sports Manufacturers' Association proposed a 600cc four-cylinders as its preferred choice, to replace 250GP from 2011. The 600cc proposal will now be examined further by the other members of the Grand Prix Commission - FIM, IRTA and Dorna. KTM, is one of the only members of the Motorcycle Sports Manufacturers' Association with another vision, KTM wants to see 500cc twins replace the current 250cc two-strokes]meta:desc Honda are desperately trying to rid GP's of 2-stroke engines, and claim that no more will be made from 2010. Jan Witteveen, the man behind Aprilia's wondrous smaller category success, expressed his concerns over the potential loss. Both KTM and Aprilia, the leading manufacturers of 250GP machines, have both cast doubt on their participation in any such four-stroke class]
