Kawasaki is bringing the two stroke back!

1/25/2026 10:45am
AVL28 wrote:
You’re not wrong, but a YZ250 at $8,100 is much more palatable than a YZ450F at $10,300. Plus the reduced maintenance costs for the YZ. Agreed...

You’re not wrong, but a YZ250 at $8,100 is much more palatable than a YZ450F at $10,300. Plus the reduced maintenance costs for the YZ. Agreed they are pretty overpriced for mostly ancient tech though.


I know it’ll never happen but I firmly believe if Suzuki came out with a half decent RM125 & RM250 at around the $6-7k mark it could single handedly pull Suzuki cycles out of purgatory. They’re already looked at as the “budget” choice in the 450/250f markets and still have a healthy following despite putting out nearly untouched bikes for over a decade. They should lean into that more.


Fuck it, be the Toyota Corolla of the moto world. It may not be flashy but if it’s affordable and it works you’ll sell a ton of them.

I’m afraid I don’t agree with the reduced maintenance costs. Buy a new 450 and you won’t need to put a spanner to it for three years. My...

I’m afraid I don’t agree with the reduced maintenance costs. 

Buy a new 450 and you won’t need to put a spanner to it for three years. 
My mate’s ‘24 YZ250 needed a crank at 30hrs. The crankshaft was baggy in the main bearings. 

HonDawg17 wrote:
You can "disagree" for whatever that means. The fact is a piston kit, cylinder and head replacement on a 2 stroke is $1000's less than a...

You can "disagree" for whatever that means. The fact is a piston kit, cylinder and head replacement on a 2 stroke is $1000's less than a 4-stroke..

Ah, but you're talking about engine failure. This thread was talking about maintenance. In 100hrs of normal service, the two stroke has had 3x piston kits. At 100hrs you aren't even thinking about a piston on a 450.
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tek14
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1/25/2026 11:01am

It will be at pits Anaheim 3 because thats matching 3(00). 

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Village Idiot
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1/25/2026 11:11am
I’m afraid I don’t agree with the reduced maintenance costs. Buy a new 450 and you won’t need to put a spanner to it for three years. My...

I’m afraid I don’t agree with the reduced maintenance costs. 

Buy a new 450 and you won’t need to put a spanner to it for three years. 
My mate’s ‘24 YZ250 needed a crank at 30hrs. The crankshaft was baggy in the main bearings. 

HonDawg17 wrote:
You can "disagree" for whatever that means. The fact is a piston kit, cylinder and head replacement on a 2 stroke is $1000's less than a...

You can "disagree" for whatever that means. The fact is a piston kit, cylinder and head replacement on a 2 stroke is $1000's less than a 4-stroke..

Ah, but you're talking about engine failure. This thread was talking about maintenance. In 100hrs of normal service, the two stroke has had 3x piston kits...
Ah, but you're talking about engine failure. This thread was talking about maintenance. In 100hrs of normal service, the two stroke has had 3x piston kits. At 100hrs you aren't even thinking about a piston on a 450.

Funny how no one ever mentions all the other precision parts that will eventually need replacing in the F1 4T engines - oil pumps (and if that pump fails you're pretty much looking at total engine replacement), valve train (with motion transfer parts), worn out/damaged heads, etc., etc. This is why they are essentially disposable dirt bikes - they reach a point where it costs far more to rebuild them than what they're worth... and this is part of the sales plan. The OEMs make much more on them than 2Ts.

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cmiles
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1/25/2026 5:38pm

A2 would of been perfect night to release new 2 stroke after Sextons win

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The Shop

crmx105
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1/25/2026 7:19pm
I’m afraid I don’t agree with the reduced maintenance costs. Buy a new 450 and you won’t need to put a spanner to it for three years. My...

I’m afraid I don’t agree with the reduced maintenance costs. 

Buy a new 450 and you won’t need to put a spanner to it for three years. 
My mate’s ‘24 YZ250 needed a crank at 30hrs. The crankshaft was baggy in the main bearings. 

HonDawg17 wrote:
You can "disagree" for whatever that means. The fact is a piston kit, cylinder and head replacement on a 2 stroke is $1000's less than a...

You can "disagree" for whatever that means. The fact is a piston kit, cylinder and head replacement on a 2 stroke is $1000's less than a 4-stroke..

Ah, but you're talking about engine failure. This thread was talking about maintenance. In 100hrs of normal service, the two stroke has had 3x piston kits...
Ah, but you're talking about engine failure. This thread was talking about maintenance. In 100hrs of normal service, the two stroke has had 3x piston kits. At 100hrs you aren't even thinking about a piston on a 450.

Not thinking about a piston change at 100 hrs on a 450 is not an accurate statement.

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BoxcarWilly
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1/26/2026 6:52am

This is honestly pathetic at this point. 

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RDnutz
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1/26/2026 7:40am
Ah, but you're talking about engine failure. This thread was talking about maintenance. In 100hrs of normal service, the two stroke has had 3x piston kits...
Ah, but you're talking about engine failure. This thread was talking about maintenance. In 100hrs of normal service, the two stroke has had 3x piston kits. At 100hrs you aren't even thinking about a piston on a 450.

what about 4T valve adjustment, shimming, replacing?

BTW: 2T piston kits average $100.00 all day every day on internet.

 

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Andy7
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1/26/2026 8:33am

^^^ Namura kits?

OEM Yamaha kits

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1/26/2026 8:39am

^^^ Namura kits?

Andy7 wrote:

OEM Yamaha kits

116 on RM for a '26 YZ250 is pretty dang close, at that cost, no reason not to have a fresh top end well within factory specs per manual instead of anecdotal internet hours. 

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Andy7
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1/26/2026 8:42am
116 on RM for a '26 YZ250 is pretty dang close, at that cost, no reason not to have a fresh top end well within factory...

116 on RM for a '26 YZ250 is pretty dang close, at that cost, no reason not to have a fresh top end well within factory specs per manual instead of anecdotal internet hours. 

Agree. To me, for non racers, the YZ 250 is the ultimate bike in every single aspect. Hence why I ride one

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3strokemx
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1/26/2026 8:44am
Andy7 wrote:

Agree. To me, for non racers, the YZ 250 is the ultimate bike in every single aspect. Hence why I ride one

Uses a lot more fuel than a 450. and you probably have to use more expensive gas.

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1/26/2026 9:07am
Ah, but you're talking about engine failure. This thread was talking about maintenance. In 100hrs of normal service, the two stroke has had 3x piston kits...
Ah, but you're talking about engine failure. This thread was talking about maintenance. In 100hrs of normal service, the two stroke has had 3x piston kits. At 100hrs you aren't even thinking about a piston on a 450.
RDnutz wrote:

what about 4T valve adjustment, shimming, replacing?

BTW: 2T piston kits average $100.00 all day every day on internet.

 

I ordered 5 Wossenener pistons from Milenim Technologies last yr. Under 500 bucks shipped with spare rings. High end pistons with a coating. 

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1/26/2026 10:01am
crmx105 wrote:

Not thinking about a piston change at 100 hrs on a 450 is not an accurate statement.

At 100 hours the OEM piston was .0005" above the service limit on my 2018 CRF450RX GNCC bike. Replaced with Wiseco. At 100 hours, the Wiseco piston was .0008" under the service limit. Went back to stock pistons. 

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1/26/2026 1:04pm
HonDawg17 wrote:
You can "disagree" for whatever that means. The fact is a piston kit, cylinder and head replacement on a 2 stroke is $1000's less than a...

You can "disagree" for whatever that means. The fact is a piston kit, cylinder and head replacement on a 2 stroke is $1000's less than a 4-stroke..

Ah, but you're talking about engine failure. This thread was talking about maintenance. In 100hrs of normal service, the two stroke has had 3x piston kits...
Ah, but you're talking about engine failure. This thread was talking about maintenance. In 100hrs of normal service, the two stroke has had 3x piston kits. At 100hrs you aren't even thinking about a piston on a 450.
crmx105 wrote:

Not thinking about a piston change at 100 hrs on a 450 is not an accurate statement.

Especially if you're fast enough to be changing pistons on a 250 two stroke at 30 hours. I was doing 50 hour intervals on a KTM 150sx. 70-80 on a 250sx seems fine. I also don't overrev it to the moon and bang off the gears/clutch. For the average vet/C class rider, 30 hour top end intervals on a 250 two stroke is ridiculous. 

Andy7
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1/26/2026 1:19pm
3strokemx wrote:

Uses a lot more fuel than a 450. and you probably have to use more expensive gas.

Yes. And no. I run pump gas. However you have to be perfectly jetted, otherwise you are asking for detonation. Lastly, I agree that 450s are cheaper to maintain if you plan on selling them before doing some major engine maintenance, but I do not ride a 2 stroke because of maintenance costs, simply because I have the most fun on them.

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Jkawi
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1/26/2026 1:55pm
Andy7 wrote:

Agree. To me, for non racers, the YZ 250 is the ultimate bike in every single aspect. Hence why I ride one

3strokemx wrote:

Uses a lot more fuel than a 450. and you probably have to use more expensive gas.

That is true, and it sucks to always have to pick up pre mix so you have it (I always forget it). But you do get to save some fuel by telling you're buddies your can has premix in it so you can't fill their bike or truck lol.

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crmx105
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1/26/2026 2:29pm
crmx105 wrote:

Not thinking about a piston change at 100 hrs on a 450 is not an accurate statement.

At 100 hours the OEM piston was .0005" above the service limit on my 2018 CRF450RX GNCC bike. Replaced with Wiseco. At 100 hours, the Wiseco...

At 100 hours the OEM piston was .0005" above the service limit on my 2018 CRF450RX GNCC bike. Replaced with Wiseco. At 100 hours, the Wiseco piston was .0008" under the service limit. Went back to stock pistons. 

Not saying it can't be done, know KTM 450 riders that go twice that but one shoe doesn't fit all.

yamathumb
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1/26/2026 7:21pm
crmx105 wrote:

Not thinking about a piston change at 100 hrs on a 450 is not an accurate statement.

At 100 hours the OEM piston was .0005" above the service limit on my 2018 CRF450RX GNCC bike. Replaced with Wiseco. At 100 hours, the Wiseco...

At 100 hours the OEM piston was .0005" above the service limit on my 2018 CRF450RX GNCC bike. Replaced with Wiseco. At 100 hours, the Wiseco piston was .0008" under the service limit. Went back to stock pistons. 

crmx105 wrote:

Not saying it can't be done, know KTM 450 riders that go twice that but one shoe doesn't fit all.

Um, kawis definitely dont make it 100 hours without visible blowby out the vent hose from what I have seen lol 

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uncledaddy69
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1/26/2026 7:32pm

On pulp tonight, Steve said he saw a photo of it and got some details. 

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Spooner
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1/26/2026 8:00pm

Kawi employees were in California testing out new models last week..

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1/26/2026 8:35pm

pretty sure we've already figured out it's gonna be a 300

I wonder if the frame will be steel or aluminum... The latter, esp if shared with the existing KX four strokes could keep costs down. 

Sounds like we'll find out real soon.. can't wait to hear more from Matthes

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280driver
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1/27/2026 5:43am Edited Date/Time 1/27/2026 5:43am

Did Matthes say when he would be able to discuss it?  

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RH447
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1/27/2026 7:19am

All that wait for 2T and while I get the updated mini's are awesome; coming out with a new frame and KYB is sick, but bolt on parts as a flex shouldn’t have been delayed. After that lapse, I was expecting a lot more on the mini updates.

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1/27/2026 7:47am

Well if Kawi has actually made a 250 or 300 2 stroke, they better get on with revealing it. And what better way than to have Sexton ride it during opening ceremony in Supercross? And take a lap with it. Pretty awesome way to debut a bike revival by pinning it through a set of whoops.

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1/27/2026 8:27am

I see they just revealed new 85, 85L, and 112 bikes. That better not be the only 2 strokes..

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Falcon
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1/27/2026 9:00am

^Nope. My source confirms a big bike, still slated to be a '27 model. It runs and is in testing now, so it should be good to go by the time of a standard release date. (Late summer or fall of this year, I would guess.) I don't know the CCs, but unless they changed the model drastically or added a new version, it will not be a Motocross bike. Think "woods/desert." 

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Zoom
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1/27/2026 9:02am
HonDawg17 wrote:

I see they just revealed new 85, 85L, and 112 bikes. That better not be the only 2 strokes..

It won't be...

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agn5008
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1/27/2026 9:56am
HonDawg17 wrote:

I see they just revealed new 85, 85L, and 112 bikes. That better not be the only 2 strokes..

Zoom wrote:

It won't be...

Go on…

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dnolder15
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1/27/2026 10:34am
pretty sure we've already figured out it's gonna be a 300I wonder if the frame will be steel or aluminum... The latter, esp if shared with...

pretty sure we've already figured out it's gonna be a 300

I wonder if the frame will be steel or aluminum... The latter, esp if shared with the existing KX four strokes could keep costs down. 

Sounds like we'll find out real soon.. can't wait to hear more from Matthes

Heard a while back they used the 250 chassis, so yes aluminum 

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