2 Strokes are not going to be outlawed soon, only those that are not "Direct Fuel Injected". Mercury Optimax and Evinrude Etecs are "clean" and meet CARB 3 Star ratings; they are not in danger of being outlawed.
I will be interested to see how a 4-Stroke engine can handle 8,000 rpm's over time; apparently Yamaha is confident it will handle it. One thing is for sure, innovation improves competition and we as consumers benefit in the end.
It can turn 10,000 RPM's if I don't have to buy 1 gallon of yama-lube for every 30 gallons of gas. My rumor mill source said 6400 RPM and 17lbs lighter than the equivalent HPDI.
Hope they get it right cause the Verado missed the mark, and it looks funny to have a Skeeter with a Mercury anyways.