KTM Big Bore Twostroke in 2025 ?

If they're really asking for it, they'll probably get it.

The real question, I guess, is if they really do want more than a 300? Beyond that, would enough of the bike-buying public want it to make production viable?

The second sounds unlikely, but I may be way off.

With how tuneable and civilized counterbalanced fuel injected 2t’s are and how much low rpm lugging occurs, it’s only natural.

And do a SX version

Just in case anyone from Mattighofen reads this:

*clears throat*

GO 500 ccm OR NO BALLS!

They want more than the 58hp the new 300’s make in stock trim? I just can’t see that being realistic.

Finally picked up a cr500 again. Id buy a fresh new factory big bore 2 stroke without question. The 300 making 58hp won't have the same lug/torque as a 400-500

Dear KTM , please build a 500 cc two stroke .

BRC are expanding into the Yamaha YZ250 market with their big bore kits, so there is clearly a demand there.

250 = 66.4 x 72mm

300 = 72 x 72mm

The 300 is currently just a big bore 250, same crank. Seems to me the likelihood of KTM making an even bigger 2-stroke probably has some relation to the question of whether or not the current cases are ready to accept an even bigger crank. Otherwise, its an entire new engine and then less likely or forthcoming.

Spot on.

With just a bigger piston, squaring up the engine, they've got (what people nowadays regard as) a 2T 'Big Bore'.

That they can charge a fair amount more for ( at least here in OZ) for absolutely bugger all development / cost.

It's a great money maker. They also get to sell "Big Bore Kits" to go onto the 250s. That too brings in extra money.

And, you're right with the limits that may be imposed by the current / new cases. The up through to 2016 cases, well, people could fit the 380 ( actually 380s , with 78mm bore x 77 stroke dimensions were 368cc) crank, with a bit of machining to one end ( can't recall which) of the crank. A Stroker crank (modified 250 / 300) and Bored out and Re-plated barrel, could bring the 250/300 up to around 440cc, but a fellow on KTM Talk said a bore and stroke that gave him something like 411cc was the sweet spot.

I think it was RPM Manufacturing that did the engine work / parts for him - he went under the name of Big Dog in KTMTalk, I think.

So, I've not seen what the 2017 to 2022 cases could take, and then there's the 2023+ 2t engine. They both may be like the 2016+ and current 125 / 150 engine module that can't ( I think) be stroked.

I've said for years, that a Modern, EFI'd 350 / 400cc 2T could be a magnificent engine. So much potential power and torque, while being so under stressed, and through that, so very smooth and useable. The reports, so far, of the new TBI 250 / 300 engines are glowing, so a real, bigger engine, could be even better. They'd sell every one they could make, IF they didn't over charge for it.

A squared 79 x 79 engine would give a 387cc capacity - just 7mm bore and stroke over a (292cc) '300'. So, not a much bigger, in overall size, engine.

So many go on about a 500 ( I own an old CRE500, and I love it ) but with a modern engine, that capacity would not be needed. In reality, the "picks of the litter" for older, large 2ts, years ago, were the 350, 400s, 430s, 440s for most people.

But, to repeat, an over bored / squared up 250 can be sold as a" Big Bore 2T", with little, to no extra cost for the manufacturers to make them. And, they - all brands - sell every single one of them, easily.

I'd dearly love to be wrong in my pessimism about a true, large(r) capacity 2t than 300cc coming from a Bike Manufacturer. I'd love one.

fake news. People thought I was crazy racing a Husqvarna 500CR in a hare scramble and they were right its way to much

When "Braaap" becomes "Boooorp."

Actually it was 1985 with the single rear suspension

A big bore EFI 2 stroke is was what snowbikers have been dreaming of for years. There is absolutely a market, albeit small, for said bike. The Idaho, Utah, BC area would consume every EFI big bore bike KTM would make. BRC is making some strides in the snowbike world, but an OEM built big bore two stroke would sell like bananas to snowbikers!

500 smokers have too heavy a crank and too short a powerband. Not ideal for moto.

2002 KTM 380 ripped, but the chassis was garbage. Give me that same 380 motor with the FI and estart please.

For now, you can slap a carbureted 380 in a YZ250 chassis. This is a very serious machine:

Well I’m a big boy at 240lbs so the smaller smokers and even the 250 just were never enough, even the new 300s just don’t have it imo. This bike flat out rips. Ride it off the bottom, ride it off the top, the motor is very versatile like that. Handling is very light and as mentioned suspension setup is very good as well. Overall just a killer bike, fun as hell, playful, one of those bikes you are always looking for a place to crack the throttle and throw some roost, or seeing just how far you can spin that back tire out of a corner. Highly recommend.

It would be cool to see the return of the 400 - 500cc two strokes.