RE: 2stroke idle - a compromise?
Airplane engines idle better as they break in. How new is your engine? Also, the ambient temperature plays a role. If the combustion doesn't produce enough heat to keep the head hot enough, the cylinder pinch will eventually stop the engine, especially if it's fairly new. Using too cold a plug will do the same thing. A well broken in engine with the right plug will idle indefinitely if the mix is set right.