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And Zoom works for Kawasaki
There’s only a few viable options. 125/150 and 250/300 pretty much cover the 2 stroke market, with a 200 as a really cool outlier and a big bore (350 to 500) being really unlikely.
500s are a fad right now, but that’s driven by nostalgia and scarcity. A new 500 wouldn’t sell very well. They’re pretty brutal to ride unless you’re really fit, and even then without high level prep (balanced cranks..) they’ll eat your lunch.
When the showrooms were full of dusty 500s nobody cared. I rode 500s in the 90s only because they were really cheap and had decent durability for a non-pro like me. The 1988 KX in my avatar was less than a year old when I bought it for $1200, I paid $600 for the 86 KX500 I had before that, and I got a 92 for $1500 in 93..
I should’ve kept them..
An educated guess would be a 300. Based on KTM 300 sales, and the desire of Yamaha fans wanting a YZ300X etc.
I know Drew Adams amateur number was 300, but I'm thinking Kawasaki's KX250 photos on their website with the #300 is possibly an easter egg.
That being said, I'm under the impression there will be more than just 'one' full stroke model coming (and likely not all at once, but over the next couple of years).
Maybe Zoom can chime in with a wink or something if I'm correct 😆
I admit, this is me being a silly old man, but, I just had the thought that, with Beta doing a 350 2t, Kawasaki could possibly have decided they might just do something similar, and not just go the 250 / 300 route that has been done so thoroughly over the years.
Hence, the delay in real info on this phantom Kawasaki 2 Stroke.
After all, we had those various 370 / 390 CG pics that were put up by a few rogues way back on this never ending thread........ 😁
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I think a 150 would be fun, but probably not a huge seller
I don't have any confirmation of a 300cc, I'm just leaning that way. Its been pretty hush hush. All we really know is there will be a 2 stroke.
A 300 enduro bike will have the best profit margin. Ktm sells them for more than a 450sxf and they hold their value in the used market better. I would be surprised if 300s aren’t cheaper to build than a 450f too.
Around 20:15 mark
I ran across this comment and replied earlier on Facebook.
when they do, we can bring this thread back. for now, let’s please let this graduate to page 2.
Deegan on 450 is the story and anything else is a waste of time.
Deegan is such an unpleasant person all around, it’s hard to stomach him, much less root for him.
Kawi’s 2-stroke thing will soon be forgotten.
It hasn't been scrapped.
Translated from French publication Moto Verte at the EICMA Show in Milan this past week.
"After questioning Benjamin Kapkowski, marketing manager for Kawasaki France, the project is by no means finalized: "I can't say more about the progress of the two-stroke project, but what I can assure you is that it's not dead in the water. We're working in Japan to validate the return of two-stroke engines to Kawasaki. We'll try to tell you more soon." By listening to other Kawasaki communications managers in other countries, it seems that the project and the engine development have been delayed. But we get the feeling that information is being tightly controlled. A Japanese delegation was also present in Italy to discuss certain internal matters, including the return of two-stroke engines"
I think the most exciting takeaway from this is the plural use of the word engine.
I'm under the impression we will be seeing multiple two stroke models coming from Kawasaki over the next couple of years.
I think everyone’s judging off of the sound clip in the teaser they posted. It sounds like a 250 or a 300 https://youtu.be/e7NuA-gVy40?si=MP6ns658jaj4zetA
I know one thing after teasing us about a new two-stroke.. If Kawasaki doesn't produce a new two-stroke soon I swear I'll never buy another Kawasaki again..
I’ve heard a lot of people say this (myself included). Not a good look for Kawasaki. Losing customers, whether it’s 20, 200, or 2000, is never the objective.
They're dragging their own name through the mud. The Kawasaki USA profile on Facebook has been relentlessly trounced by comments about the new two-stroke, no matter what they're promoting. Often times, they're the only replies. I post "Two-stroke or shut up" on any of their posts I see. I'm a die-hard Kawasaki fan, but I feel like they've pulled the biggest bait-and-switch I've ever experienced. If they'd at least come out and say they overestimated their ability to deliver results in a timely manner it'd be something we could at least chew on. But alas, total radio silence. I'm almost convinced the "We heard you" post was nothing more than a ruse. Prove me wrong, Kawasaki. Please.
Pit Row
No I'm sure that's not their objective the way I'm thinking right now is I'm going to give them to the end of summer next year if they haven't come out with a new two-stroke by then..well
Once the SX season begins and Chase starts banging off wins everyone will want to go green!
Pretty soon “before Kawasaki releases their new two stroke” Will replace the “before GTA6 is released” for the internet universal term for something infinitely delayed.
This is why I buy Yamaha. The guys at Kawasaki are a clear example of wanting to put an act, instead of letting their actions do the talking. I am sure they will release a two stroke, but they simply tried to create some hype, even when they were not EVEN CLOSE to releasing the model. BS if you ask me... long live YZ 2 strokes...
I’m assuming we’ll see it at AIM Expo in Anaheim the same week as A1.
It’ll be funny if it’s a new 85 🤣🤣🤣
Will not be a big bike
Pretty sure a new KX85 is coming. It is beyond time for an update
Here’s what happened I guess.
Engineers were working on the bike the past year or two. Marketing got wind of it and was like yo, let’s announce this on 1/25 at Anaheim and get the boys buzzing.
The engineers put their head in their hands because they knew the bike wasn’t close to ready, but all that be damned because of some stupid marketing ploy centered around the date 1/25.
As an aside obviously the FB comments are going to be trolling. That place is a cesspool and probably 90% bots.
Noooooo.... its got to be offroad 300! 🙂
This. Absolute show. They were like "let's announce a new two stroke, so people do not go out and buy the current bikes (Yamaha, KTM, Beta, etc) and keep them waiting for the hot new Kawi". Whereas I think "let's release a bike out of the blue, that wasn't even advertised, but since it is SO GOOD, people will sell what they have, and buy this". Just my 2 cents, and yeah, I am not a marketing guy, so if they didn't do this, maybe they know more than I do...
Marketing is often the enemy of engineering and good design. Marketing wanted to create some buzz but they clearly put their head in cart before the horse. And perhaps they thought they were further a long in the process.
To me I don’t care, whether Kawi announced the bike when they did or not isn’t affecting when the bike is released. They never promised a release date through any official channels. It really changes nothing. The bike(s) will get here when it gets here. I’m still excited to see what they are.
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