What does a 4 stroke mean?

Answer 1

A 4-stroke engine has an intake,compression, power, exhaust stroke, every 2 complete revolutions of the engine. Only have the cylinders fire every revoultion. An example: a 3.0L v6 only has only half (1.5L) making power every revolution.

A 2-stroke (like a dirt bike), all the events happen in 1 revolution, intake and compression=1 and power/exhaust= the other. The same example but a 2-stroke, all 3.0L are producing power.

2 strokes make more power for the same displacement are light and have less parts. The down size is,because they run a oil/fuel mixture they normally can't pass today emissions standards. This is why mainly small motors, I.E. weed wacker, chains saws, etc. are 2 strokes.