John Lambert sits on his 2-stroke snowmobile at his home in Parsonsfield. Next to him is one of three 4-stroke sleds that he and his wife use for trail riding. There has been an increase in sales of new 4-stroke snowmobiles, but many Mainers still prefer 2-stroke sleds. Sofia Aldinio/Staff Photographer
SACO — As a handful of members of the Saco Pathfinders Snowmobile Club waited for their monthly meeting to begin at the clubhouse, a friendly debate over favorite sled broke out and got loud, though it sounded like laughter.
“They’re two different animals,” insisted James Stubinski, referring to 2-stroke and 4-stroke sleds. “I had a 4 stroke for the first time in 2020. I only kept it for a year and then came back. It went great. It made me smile. But it didn’t make me smile evilly like a 2 stroke. It’s a totally different feeling when you’re on a 2-stroke.”
One thing was clear when four men faced off about the difference between 4-stroke and 2-stroke snowmobiles: Many die-hard Maine racers are still 2-stroke fans.
Four-stroke snowmobiles have been on the market for 20 years, but they’ve only become more common in Maine in recent years, according to the state’s snowmobile dealers. Many dealers agree: old-school 2-stroke sleds are here to stay, although the industry seems poised to usher in the next generation of sleds on electric machines. Lynx, a European company affiliated with Ski-Doo, is already producing an electric snowmobile in Scandinavia.
The main difference between gas-powered 2-stroke and 4-stroke sleds lies in how the engine works. A 4-stroke engine goes through four piston strokes to complete the combustion cycle, while a 2-stroke engine goes through only two piston strokes to complete the combustion cycle. The result is that the 4-stroke engine is more fuel efficient and produces fewer emissions, but is heavier. The 2-stroke engine weighs less and is easier to maintain, with fewer moving parts.
The weight difference between the two can be as much as 150 pounds, depending on the model. Generally, 2-strokes weigh around 450 and 4-strokes are over 500 pounds.
The price difference also depends on the model. The 2-stroke sleds generally cost less than $10,000, while high-end sleds, which include many 4-stroke models, cost between $12,000 and $15,000 and can go up to $20,000.
There are other key differences: a 4-stroke sled requires adding oil to the engine only once a year, while a 2-stroke engine requires oil to be added several times per season; 4-stroke engines can last up to 30,000 to 40,000 miles, while 2-stroke engines have a shorter lifespan of around 15,000 to 20,000 miles. Finally, two-stroke engines are notorious for noise, smoke and smell.
Still, many Maine riders love them.
“Many old-school bikers grew up with 2-strokes and prefer them. They are more agile, even on the trails. They’re easier to handle,” said Jason Dunn, the Turner Ridge Riders’ trail master.
John Lambert demonstrates how light his 2-stroke sled is as he takes it around his home in Parsonsfield. He would have a hard time trying to lean his 4-stroke, which he said weighs a few hundred pounds more. Sofia Aldinio/Staff Photographer
According to the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association, manufacturers do not release data on the number of 2-stroke and 4-stroke sleds sold nationwide. Here in Maine, snowmobile sales at Mountainside Powersports in Wilton were split evenly between 2-stroke and 4-stroke sleds just a few years ago, owner Dan Daigle said. Now, about 70% of his sales are 4-strokes, he said.
“It’s changing pretty quickly to 4-strokes. A lot of it has to do with the price of crude,” Daigle said. “If you drive 1,000 miles per season, add 10 quarts of oil.”
Even Daigle, a self-proclaimed “2-stroke kind of guy” who grew up riding in Aroostook County, bought a 4-stroke sled for the first time last year.
“I thought the torque on a 2-stroke was really good. Then I got on a 4-stroke and I thought, ‘Wow, that’s really, really good.’ It wasn’t too heavy. It didn’t feel heavy at all.” he said.
Michael Tevanian, owner of West-Port Motorsports in Westbrook, sells more 2-stroke machines, but said 4-stroke sales are on the rise.
“I think it’s a 75-25 split, 2-stroke versus 4-stroke because people are still looking to experience what 2-stroke has to offer,” Tevanian said. “A 2-stroke, even on the track, has a different level of performance. They’re lighter, livelier, more responsive. It’s light handling, corners better. A 4-stroke can still be fast, but they weigh more.
“I think the development of 2-strokes will continue to improve, more reliable, use less fuel, smoke less. Every year they get better.”
However, more manufacturers make 4-stroke models compared to 10 years ago.
“Polaris just started doing 4-strokes,” Tevanian noted.
Wayne Keniston at Keniston’s Motorsports in Falmouth only sells used sleds. He said the used market for 4-strokes, which can last 30,000 to 40,000 miles, is strong.
And in the heart of Maine snowmobile country in Greenville, Jennie Gray of Moosehead Motorsports agreed that the 4-stroke is gaining momentum. She believes the longevity of 4-stroke engines has a lot to do with it.
Despite this, the loyalty to 2-stroke sleds among Maine riders is undeniably strong.
John Lambert of Parsonsfield has three 4-stroke sleds that his wife and grandchildren use. But he sticks to his 2-stroke sled to help groom trails. Most Sacopee Valley Snow Drifters racers have 2-stroke sleds, Lambert said.
“The 2-stroke is for the crew that wants to get off the beaten path. The 4-stroke is for people who want a nice family ride,” said Lambert, the club’s trail assistant.
Lambert calls his 2-stroke his “cross-country sled” because it allows him to get out after a storm and pave the way for the preparation to come later. But if you’re towing sleds on your covered snowmobile trailer and one is a 2-stroke, be careful when you start it, Lambert said.
“On my trailer (with) my Yamaha 4-stroke and my Ski-Doo 2-stroke, when I start (the 2-stroke) I have to get it out quickly (because of the heavy exhaust),” he said Lambert. . “With the 4 stroke, there is no smoke. It’s not burning oil. It’s like starting a car.”
John Lambert, like many Mainers, often prefers riding his 2-stroke sled to his 4-stroke snowmobile. Sofia Aldinio/Staff Photographer
While 2-stroke and 4-stroke machines may not seem very different to someone unfamiliar with snowmobiles, Dunn in Turner said the sound of a machine on a trail is a sure giveaway.
“A 2-stroke sounds like a dirt bike, with a sound of speed. A 4-stroke has more purr,” Dunn said.
The higher price of 4-stroke sleds means many Maine riders who mostly ride locally will opt for the cheaper 2-stroke machines, Dunn added.
“A lot of people that travel up north to Rangeley, Moosehead, Aroostook County, those people tend to spend more on machines. They have more money for the sport. If you’re buying a cheap machine, you’re going to use a 2-stroke,” he said.
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