Kawasaki is bringing the two stroke back!

Village Idiot
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1/15/2026 3:37pm

Anyone remember the KX450F development?

Its release was delayed due to frames breaking during testing.

It happens.

3strokemx
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1/15/2026 5:44pm

Anyone remember the KX450F development?

Its release was delayed due to frames breaking during testing.

It happens.

It didnt stop them from releasing the '09 KX450 with head gaskets that blow before the coolant would boil.  

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OldTech
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Decatur , AL US
1/15/2026 6:07pm

Anyone remember the KX450F development?

Its release was delayed due to frames breaking during testing.

It happens.

3strokemx wrote:

It didnt stop them from releasing the '09 KX450 with head gaskets that blow before the coolant would boil.  

Never heard of that...chain guides and the rear hub would crack; we found them pretty tough.

uncledaddy69
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1/15/2026 7:55pm

I want that free money so that I can buy a Kawasaki 2 stroke. 

thats not how it works.  Kawasaki would simply raise the price of their KX by about $2000

I would simply use my wife’s stimulus in addition to my own. Can’t wait to tear up GH on a new two stroke! braaaaaaap!!!

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2

The Shop

1/15/2026 8:44pm

They have to make sure it’s good.  If they came out with a bike and Queefer and ML say its slow….then itll never sell at all. 

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4
1/15/2026 9:31pm

They have to make sure it’s good.  If they came out with a bike and Queefer and ML say its slow….then itll never sell at all. 

More so if it can’t compete with the KTM TBI engine wise, it will be a disappointment.

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ratonmacias
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1/16/2026 5:26am

Dont think so, to me this is more about the start of RC´s sx dominance than the 2 strokes that wont be released anytime soon.

Kawis race team is holding on to whatever they can. they have been sucking since Tomac left.

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1
1/16/2026 6:10am
Trailturd wrote:
Dont think so, to me this is more about the start of RC´s sx dominance than the 2 strokes that wont be released anytime soon.Kawis race...

Dont think so, to me this is more about the start of RC´s sx dominance than the 2 strokes that wont be released anytime soon.

Kawis race team is holding on to whatever they can. they have been sucking since Tomac left.

Anderson won 7 races and scored more points than he did his championship year on a Kawasaki. 

9
bluesmoke
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1/16/2026 6:43am
Trailturd wrote:
Dont think so, to me this is more about the start of RC´s sx dominance than the 2 strokes that wont be released anytime soon.Kawis race...

Dont think so, to me this is more about the start of RC´s sx dominance than the 2 strokes that wont be released anytime soon.

Kawis race team is holding on to whatever they can. they have been sucking since Tomac left.

Anderson won 7 races and scored more points than he did his championship year on a Kawasaki. 

''Kawasaki either shit or get off the pot!'' Im in the market for a new woods smoker. At least let us know you're workin on it.

3
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ratonmacias
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1/16/2026 6:43am
Trailturd wrote:
Dont think so, to me this is more about the start of RC´s sx dominance than the 2 strokes that wont be released anytime soon.Kawis race...

Dont think so, to me this is more about the start of RC´s sx dominance than the 2 strokes that wont be released anytime soon.

Kawis race team is holding on to whatever they can. they have been sucking since Tomac left.

Anderson won 7 races and scored more points than he did his championship year on a Kawasaki. 

Yes Ando did well one year. But they still suck when compared to the last kawi teams with RC, JS, RV an Tomac.

 

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3
1/16/2026 7:13am
Falcon wrote:
It happens a lot more than you think. Someone leading the project gets fired, the business conditions change, or the new division president decides not to...

It happens a lot more than you think. Someone leading the project gets fired, the business conditions change, or the new division president decides not to release anything for the dirt. It could also be that the team responsible wants to release a brand-new bike which sells 10,000 units so they look good, instead of the 1,500 they think it may sell right now. That matters, too. 

Lots of projects come and go - just because Kawasaki has dumped "a lot" of resources into this thing doesn't mean they won't shelve it. Ask me about the aluminum frame RM250, Suzuki side by side, or the YZ150F, for that matter. Lots of rumors that there was one of those floating around. Sometimes the manufacturers cut their losses and accept a little embarrassment, instead of losing their asses on production time and resources for a bike that doesn't sell. This is why the information embargoes happen; they don't want too many rumors spreading around until they are sure everything is ready. I'm pretty surprised Kawasaki leaked anything, TBH, as long ago as it was. 

Likely using a stage-gate product development process. If the criteria to get to the next development stage is not met, it can be killed or sent back to the team for further development.

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agn5008
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Fantasy
1/16/2026 8:30am
Dont think so, to me this is more about the start of RC´s sx dominance than the 2 strokes that wont be released anytime soon.Kawis race...

Dont think so, to me this is more about the start of RC´s sx dominance than the 2 strokes that wont be released anytime soon.

Kawis race team is holding on to whatever they can. they have been sucking since Tomac left.

Anderson won 7 races and scored more points than he did his championship year on a Kawasaki. 

bluesmoke wrote:

''Kawasaki either shit or get off the pot!'' Im in the market for a new woods smoker. At least let us know you're workin on it.

I’ve been saying that for almost a year now. I got fed up and bought a new YZ 250x. Ol’ reliable 😂

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Falcon
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1/16/2026 8:44am
Falcon wrote:
It happens a lot more than you think. Someone leading the project gets fired, the business conditions change, or the new division president decides not to...

It happens a lot more than you think. Someone leading the project gets fired, the business conditions change, or the new division president decides not to release anything for the dirt. It could also be that the team responsible wants to release a brand-new bike which sells 10,000 units so they look good, instead of the 1,500 they think it may sell right now. That matters, too. 

Lots of projects come and go - just because Kawasaki has dumped "a lot" of resources into this thing doesn't mean they won't shelve it. Ask me about the aluminum frame RM250, Suzuki side by side, or the YZ150F, for that matter. Lots of rumors that there was one of those floating around. Sometimes the manufacturers cut their losses and accept a little embarrassment, instead of losing their asses on production time and resources for a bike that doesn't sell. This is why the information embargoes happen; they don't want too many rumors spreading around until they are sure everything is ready. I'm pretty surprised Kawasaki leaked anything, TBH, as long ago as it was. 

Likely using a stage-gate product development process. If the criteria to get to the next development stage is not met, it can be killed or sent...

Likely using a stage-gate product development process. If the criteria to get to the next development stage is not met, it can be killed or sent back to the team for further development.

1,000% 👍

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1
1/16/2026 2:39pm

At least post the pic, both bikes look super sexy ngl I love the green frame on the four stroke

 

d.jpg?VersionId=ZJkgk37UBqaU.6DrkeVFZhjS
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Nate_Z
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1/16/2026 4:13pm

Recent Keefer podcast he had a tidbit at the end where he said the Kawi two strokes are coming, would assume he has some intel.  Would not surprise me if they had a surprise unveil some time soon.

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soggy
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1/16/2026 5:48pm

1/25 isn’t far away folks 😂

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KurtJ99
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1/16/2026 6:23pm
Falcon wrote:
It happens a lot more than you think. Someone leading the project gets fired, the business conditions change, or the new division president decides not to...

It happens a lot more than you think. Someone leading the project gets fired, the business conditions change, or the new division president decides not to release anything for the dirt. It could also be that the team responsible wants to release a brand-new bike which sells 10,000 units so they look good, instead of the 1,500 they think it may sell right now. That matters, too. 

Lots of projects come and go - just because Kawasaki has dumped "a lot" of resources into this thing doesn't mean they won't shelve it. Ask me about the aluminum frame RM250, Suzuki side by side, or the YZ150F, for that matter. Lots of rumors that there was one of those floating around. Sometimes the manufacturers cut their losses and accept a little embarrassment, instead of losing their asses on production time and resources for a bike that doesn't sell. This is why the information embargoes happen; they don't want too many rumors spreading around until they are sure everything is ready. I'm pretty surprised Kawasaki leaked anything, TBH, as long ago as it was. 

Likely using a stage-gate product development process. If the criteria to get to the next development stage is not met, it can be killed or sent...

Likely using a stage-gate product development process. If the criteria to get to the next development stage is not met, it can be killed or sent back to the team for further development.

Falcon wrote:

1,000% 👍

Except they announced it. Delayed can be explained, retraction is a mgmt and public relations debacle. Can’t see that happening. 

2
1/16/2026 10:30pm
Kindasmoky wrote:
How many people were actually serious about getting one but ended up buying something else? How long did you wait before saying F it and buying...

How many people were actually serious about getting one but ended up buying something else? How long did you wait before saying F it and buying a different bike? 

I did. I bought a Stark instead. For real. 

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11
1/16/2026 10:42pm
At least post the pic, both bikes look super sexy ngl I love the green frame on the four stroke 

At least post the pic, both bikes look super sexy ngl I love the green frame on the four stroke

 

d.jpg?VersionId=ZJkgk37UBqaU.6DrkeVFZhjS

They should have kept the brown X-Trig clamps on the 450 to match the works clamps on RC's 250.

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theraptur712
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1/17/2026 7:27am

1. The check is in the mail.

2. I won't ___ in your mouth.

3. Politicians will be held accountable. 

4. Kawasaki 2-stroke release.

 

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dnolder15
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1/18/2026 3:04pm

Only 7 days until the 1 year anniversary of Kawi announcing their 2 strokes are coming back 😂. So I wonder how long “Soon” is IMG 4104 1

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Village Idiot
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1/18/2026 3:19pm
dnolder15 wrote:
Only 7 days until the 1 year anniversary of Kawi announcing their 2 strokes are coming back 😂. So I wonder how long “Soon” is

Only 7 days until the 1 year anniversary of Kawi announcing their 2 strokes are coming back 😂. So I wonder how long “Soon” is IMG 4104 1

Thanks Steve - "I heard you".

😄

4
Spoonguy
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1/18/2026 4:01pm

We really do not need more choices to divide up the already small dirt bike market, we need bike choices to introduce more riders to the sport.

2
4
1/18/2026 4:23pm

They have to make sure it’s good.  If they came out with a bike and Queefer and ML say its slow….then itll never sell at all. 

More so if it can’t compete with the KTM TBI engine wise, it will be a disappointment.

My DBP from the hit at 5,500 rpm threw the long mid . I pull the efi Ktm 125. In wet deep tacky sand coming out of corners. 

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3strokemx
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1/18/2026 5:32pm
Spoonguy wrote:
We really do not need more choices to divide up the already small dirt bike market, we need bike choices to introduce more riders to the...

We really do not need more choices to divide up the already small dirt bike market, we need bike choices to introduce more riders to the sport.

Maybe the new KDX will msrp at $5000?  It's gonna be made by GPX so why not have a GPX price tag with it?

1
5
3strokemx
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1/18/2026 5:33pm
dnolder15 wrote:
Only 7 days until the 1 year anniversary of Kawi announcing their 2 strokes are coming back 😂. So I wonder how long “Soon” is

Only 7 days until the 1 year anniversary of Kawi announcing their 2 strokes are coming back 😂. So I wonder how long “Soon” is IMG 4104 1

source was the Mandalorian

2
1/18/2026 5:35pm
Spoonguy wrote:
We really do not need more choices to divide up the already small dirt bike market, we need bike choices to introduce more riders to the...

We really do not need more choices to divide up the already small dirt bike market, we need bike choices to introduce more riders to the sport.

3strokemx wrote:

Maybe the new KDX will msrp at $5000?  It's gonna be made by GPX so why not have a GPX price tag with it?

GPX 300s are $7000

3strokemx
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1/18/2026 5:38pm Edited Date/Time 1/18/2026 5:39pm
Spoonguy wrote:
We really do not need more choices to divide up the already small dirt bike market, we need bike choices to introduce more riders to the...

We really do not need more choices to divide up the already small dirt bike market, we need bike choices to introduce more riders to the sport.

3strokemx wrote:

Maybe the new KDX will msrp at $5000?  It's gonna be made by GPX so why not have a GPX price tag with it?

GPX 300s are $7000

Where'd you hear it's going to be a 300?

5
BoxcarWilly
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1/18/2026 6:13pm

More so if it can’t compete with the KTM TBI engine wise, it will be a disappointment.

That’s not a very high bar. 

2

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