Kawasaki is bringing the two stroke back!

burn1986
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1/26/2025 5:25pm

Kawi will probably buy KTM and then end up with a KTM w/ green plastic.

Interesting point. Would be cool to see

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wfopete
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1/26/2025 5:48pm

Current stable includes a KTM 300, Stark Varg and this little feller.. Guess what?  They are all fun!

image 1039.png?VersionId=RskEmlgJ44w1mIjAXTwGhmQ1aCQ
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1/26/2025 6:01pm

Kawi will probably buy KTM and then end up with a KTM w/ green plastic.

Too expensive, they already have a brand, manufacturing and distribution network, it will be cheaper for Kawasaki to develop their own bikes.

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1/26/2025 6:05pm
wfopete wrote:
Current stable includes a KTM 300, Stark Varg and this little feller.. Guess what?  They are all fun!

Current stable includes a KTM 300, Stark Varg and this little feller.. Guess what?  They are all fun!

image 1039.png?VersionId=RskEmlgJ44w1mIjAXTwGhmQ1aCQ

because dirt bikes are awesome. 

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The Shop

1/26/2025 6:09pm

Hanging around the local dealer getting some work done on my Ninja yesterday a friend said get a YZ125. I said yeah or a new 2024 KX450 for $5,999.  Would be toss up if I was looking for a dirtbike.  Heart would say 125.  Head would say 450. 

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Alex the great
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1/26/2025 6:38pm

Kawi will probably buy KTM and then end up with a KTM w/ green plastic.

Too expensive, they already have a brand, manufacturing and distribution network, it will be cheaper for Kawasaki to develop their own bikes.

Most likely what you are saying is correct.  However,  there has been history between Bajaj - KTM / Kawasaki. You may recall, a long time ago, Bajaj wanting to create an "alliance" (really a merger):  https://www.asphaltandrubber.com/news/bajaj-ktm-kawasaki-partnership/  New opportunities may exist today.

I would just like to see someone photoshop a KTM 2 stroke with green plastic along with the 90s color scheme.  I am a sucker for the team green colors.

 

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1/26/2025 7:08pm
tek14 wrote:

So when we will see bike?

Andy7 wrote:

Man McGrath and AC said that it is under development, you cannot expect to see it on the same day it was announced.

Think about this, how long does it take aftermarket companies like Service to retrofit a CR/KX two stroke engine to a modern four stroke chassis? THat part wouldn't take long at all.

What's gonna slow it down is development of a new engine from ground up (assuming they don't reuse the 07 engines somehow) 

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JAKEDOWN492
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1/26/2025 8:01pm
MxAddic wrote:

If they go with a 125 and 300 they won't have to bring back the F.

Hopefully Kawi remembers that 125 riders buy 2 bikes . 1 practice 1 race bike.   125 jr only take Monday off of riding.  And some...

Hopefully Kawi remembers that 125 riders buy 2 bikes . 1 practice 1 race bike.   125 jr only take Monday off of riding.  And some other 125 riders.  They should link them up with discounts on air filter, oil, tire & part discounts when you purchase a bike. Then you would Really see an Explosion of racing.  Instead of 24-28 & bigger gates of 34 .  200 125,s show up to race . And 125 A class has to be brought back & full gates of ovr 40 will b there. Along with 125b & 4-5 full gates of 125c .   Everyone misses the 125 c Action of Massive crashes of riders just going for it.  Kawi is big enough to link a deal with Maxima for a 35% off & other stuff. They would make the money back on part sales.  National wide PC , Budd racing amateur programs for local racing. 

The discount is priced in when you buy a 125. Cost of the bike, ownership, maintenance etc. I was broke and managed to buy one and ride for a couple years.

burn1986
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1/26/2025 8:41pm

This guy speculates quite a bit, but interesting:

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1/26/2025 9:17pm

Kawi will probably buy KTM and then end up with a KTM w/ green plastic.

Too expensive, they already have a brand, manufacturing and distribution network, it will be cheaper for Kawasaki to develop their own bikes.

There more than capable of making a carbed 125 rocket.  I remember seeing the commercial of the Kawasaki Invader & Intruder snowmobiles flying across a snow covered Lake  in 79.  They where fast & Locked  really cool. 

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TDC
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1/26/2025 10:37pm

For those of you massively excited about this- will you feel as excited if you find out it’s TPI or TBI??

No, My '24 300SX died within 60hrs. Fortunately not on a jump face. 

The pump and injectors work, the spark is strong. No OBD2 code flashing. '04 200SX more reliable.

1/27/2025 2:48am

Honestly cannot see Kawasaki connecting with KTM in any way.  Why would they want to risk their reputation with a bike that they know is going to have such a positive impact for the brand, only to see the Chinese built engine components explode. 

image 72 0IMG 0409 0 0
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1/27/2025 4:01am
Joshracing wrote:
Honestly cannot see Kawasaki connecting with KTM in any way.  Why would they want to risk their reputation with a bike that they know is going...

Honestly cannot see Kawasaki connecting with KTM in any way.  Why would they want to risk their reputation with a bike that they know is going to have such a positive impact for the brand, only to see the Chinese built engine components explode. 

image 72 0IMG 0409 0 0

And everywhere you look it’s cheesy parts& hardware. The head stay & bolt even Gross me out, gag me with a smooth , ah I,m puking white foam vomit rt now. Plz warn us of incoming Ktm pics. Thx.   Just pay Honda for the double boost port pre production 05 cr125 engine.  19.9 ft lbs @ the stab of the clutch @39. 9 hp.  You,d b shocked at what little porting it takes for some average engines to turn into a Rocket ship. 

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280driver
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1/27/2025 4:30am

If KHI was in talks with KTM it would widely reported.  Not happening.

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TDC
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1/27/2025 5:03am
And everywhere you look it’s cheesy parts& hardware. The head stay & bolt even Gross me out, gag me with a smooth , ah I,m puking...

And everywhere you look it’s cheesy parts& hardware. The head stay & bolt even Gross me out, gag me with a smooth , ah I,m puking white foam vomit rt now. Plz warn us of incoming Ktm pics. Thx.   Just pay Honda for the double boost port pre production 05 cr125 engine.  19.9 ft lbs @ the stab of the clutch @39. 9 hp.  You,d b shocked at what little porting it takes for some average engines to turn into a Rocket ship. 

Have a "rocket ship" in 30 minutes with the STIC PWK Super X 38/40 carb. Never wait for the mid hit, it's there off idle and will also be a grunt at low speed trail work, no clutching required. Works for my '04 KX125 and 200SX.

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soggy
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1/27/2025 8:19am

For those of you massively excited about this- will you feel as excited if you find out it’s TPI or TBI??

MxAddic wrote:

If the turbo rumors have any merit I suspect direct inject would be the ticket.

That engine patent is for aircraft. Not for motorcycles. 

1/27/2025 8:41am

Well the sound is of a 250 or a 300 2 stroke...so we'll see if they bring back 125's. But I'm guessing its a 250. That way guys can race them in normal classes.

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Falcon
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1/27/2025 9:20am Edited Date/Time 1/27/2025 9:21am

New KDX-style bike. My guess is a 300cc. 

EDIT: I'd be disappointed, especially in light of the fact that they advertised it in a Supercross market. But I also think this is what they're doing. 

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WDSRCR
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1/27/2025 9:54am
Falcon wrote:
New KDX-style bike. My guess is a 300cc. EDIT: I'd be disappointed, especially in light of the fact that they advertised it in a Supercross market. But...

New KDX-style bike. My guess is a 300cc. 

EDIT: I'd be disappointed, especially in light of the fact that they advertised it in a Supercross market. But I also think this is what they're doing. 

I personally think it will be the 250 moto bike with an X model like they currently offer in the 250 and 450. 

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uncledaddy69
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1/27/2025 9:54am

Matthes says it’s a full size race bike per guys at Kawi that he spoke to and it will likely be out this year. 

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PRM31
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Fantasy
1/27/2025 10:00am Edited Date/Time 1/27/2025 10:04am

Tossing in my guess:

KX-250 or 300

and

KX-250x or 300x

 

How much weight does the required additions for a starter and/or fuel injection add over a simple kickstart/carburetor?

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1
1/27/2025 10:08am

Roller Decoaster - that is a beautifully composed photo. nice work 


Thank you. Just a phone pic of my barn-find KDX on the backyard turn track that I had in Utah before moving to Alaska.

When I found the bike, it still had its original tires! I replaced those, put in a new piston and rings (bore looked great!), a new seat cover, new levers, wider footpegs, new grips & handlebar, new Boyesen reeds, new fork boots, a CR master cylinder for the front brake, new brake pads and shoes, new tires, DG spark-arrestor/silencer, and a KX aluminum kickstart lever (wayyy lighter than steel stocker).  I've since added an FMX Platinum pipe. 
 

1 49.jpg?VersionId=O5v.H
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1/27/2025 10:09am Edited Date/Time 1/27/2025 10:16am

Matthes says it’s a full size race bike per guys at Kawi that he spoke to and it will likely be out this year. 

Even if they used some of the 07 KX250 engine internals it will almost have to have new cases and possibly a new head. Would be surprised if it didn't come with a button. FI? meh.. doubt it but who knows.

I could also see them producing a new engine from ground up. Won't come with a lighting coil, there's no way this is going to be a KDX play bike as some are suggesting

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WDSRCR
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1/27/2025 10:12am

Roller Decoaster - that is a beautifully composed photo. nice work 

Thank you. Just a phone pic of my barn-find KDX on the backyard turn track that I had in Utah before moving to Alaska.When I found...


Thank you. Just a phone pic of my barn-find KDX on the backyard turn track that I had in Utah before moving to Alaska.

When I found the bike, it still had its original tires! I replaced those, put in a new piston and rings (bore looked great!), a new seat cover, new levers, wider footpegs, new grips & handlebar, new Boyesen reeds, new fork boots, a CR master cylinder for the front brake, new brake pads and shoes, new tires, DG spark-arrestor/silencer, and a KX aluminum kickstart lever (wayyy lighter than steel stocker).  I've since added an FMX Platinum pipe. 
 

1 49.jpg?VersionId=O5v.H

87 or 88? 

My first full size dirt bike was an 87 KDX200. I loved that bike and that first summer with it, I was burning over 5 gallons of premix per week through it.

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soggy
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1/27/2025 10:44am

Matthes says it’s a full size race bike per guys at Kawi that he spoke to and it will likely be out this year. 

I don’t think he said likely this year .  There hoping by end of 2025 but nothing set it stone. Could easily be 2026. 

tylerpennell
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1/27/2025 10:46am

 Maybe we get two Japanese 300s this year 🤨 one green one blue?  

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coopernicus
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1/27/2025 10:46am Edited Date/Time 1/27/2025 10:47am
Even if they used some of the 07 KX250 engine internals it will almost have to have new cases and possibly a new head. Would be...

Even if they used some of the 07 KX250 engine internals it will almost have to have new cases and possibly a new head. Would be surprised if it didn't come with a button. FI? meh.. doubt it but who knows.

I could also see them producing a new engine from ground up. Won't come with a lighting coil, there's no way this is going to be a KDX play bike as some are suggesting

I think it likely that this is a new motor given the amount of development time that appears to have been going on and not some rehash of an old design. A new "KDX" would not necessarily be a play bike but I do agree if it is called a "KDX" it would be closer to the "X" as implemented by Yamaha.

More pure speculation as I like to dream: Any chance Kawasaki and Suzuki work together like 04-05 and a new RM/RMX comes out? That would be AWESOME!

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soggy
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1/27/2025 10:49am
Even if they used some of the 07 KX250 engine internals it will almost have to have new cases and possibly a new head. Would be...

Even if they used some of the 07 KX250 engine internals it will almost have to have new cases and possibly a new head. Would be surprised if it didn't come with a button. FI? meh.. doubt it but who knows.

I could also see them producing a new engine from ground up. Won't come with a lighting coil, there's no way this is going to be a KDX play bike as some are suggesting

I think it likely that this is a new motor given the amount of development time that appears to have been going on and not some...

I think it likely that this is a new motor given the amount of development time that appears to have been going on and not some rehash of an old design. A new "KDX" would not necessarily be a play bike but I do agree if it is called a "KDX" it would be closer to the "X" as implemented by Yamaha.

More pure speculation as I like to dream: Any chance Kawasaki and Suzuki work together like 04-05 and a new RM/RMX comes out? That would be AWESOME!

Is that more or less likely then Suzuki revamping the 450 ? 😆

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MxAddic
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1/27/2025 10:53am

I can't see them not having an eye on the off-road market. The X proves that and so does KTM's success. My heart tells me it's an MX bike or 2.

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McG194
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1/27/2025 11:19am
MxAddic wrote:
I can't see them not having an eye on the off-road market. The X proves that and so does KTM's success. My heart tells me it's...

I can't see them not having an eye on the off-road market. The X proves that and so does KTM's success. My heart tells me it's an MX bike or 2.

If you look logically and extrapolate a bit it will tell you it's going to be primarily an off-road bike most likely in the displacement of 300cc's. 

Kawasaki has seen the value of the off-road market with the X model bikes.

Kawasaki now sponsors Stew Baylor's team as a full factory effort with about 6 racers. 

The 300 is the hottest displacement for off-road bikes. 

= Kawasaki KX300x I don't think they want to call it a KDX because they want everyone to understand it's a full race model and not a trail bike. 

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