Rumors say that KTM is bringing back the 360SX

TDC
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HTown, TX US
1/28/2026 9:26pm
I wish they would make a perfectly linear 200 with a counterbalancer. Basically a 2-stroke version of the 350. Would be much more fun than a...

I wish they would make a perfectly linear 200 with a counterbalancer. Basically a 2-stroke version of the 350. Would be much more fun than a big bore with too much power. 

Combining a 200's torque out on the track with a counter balancer would leave one wanting for more torque than possible. The 200 has a smaller bore character, you can't just roll it on and rip out of a loaded low-mid RPM like a 250. You have to be in a gear to maintain full steam ahead. If you see me(#53) out at 3 Palms or Rio Brovo grab a rip on my mod'd 200SX. It is considerably more powerful than stock and has a very broad powerband. Just can't get that off the pipe torque of a 250, close, but nope.

4
Bearuno
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AU
1/29/2026 12:29am Edited Date/Time 2/3/2026 1:39am
RDnutz wrote:

I have a buddy who purchased a 150 with with 200 upgrade components on it. He loves it.

skypig wrote:
What are “200 upgrades”?A bottom end with greater “stroke” to make it 200cc? Sounds cool.My understanding was that KTM stopped making the 200, as it required...

What are “200 upgrades”?

A bottom end with greater “stroke” to make it 200cc? Sounds cool.

My understanding was that KTM stopped making the 200, as it required a different bottom end, while the 150 was just a big bore barrel on a 125 - easy/cheap.

From around the '98 year (though perhaps the Blue 'Jackpiner' came out in '97, as a limited edition?) for many, many  years you could bring a 125 up to / near to, the 200 specs.

So, I assume RDnutz's mate has a bike from that near 2 decade engine run?

But, when they went to the next engine design ( 2015?) , well, there was not a chance at that substantial capacity addition.

I think I've seen some companies making the later model 125 / 150 engines a bit bigger, but it's only around the 160 /165cc? enlargement.

I was at my  the local Honda / Suzuki / Royal Enfield / Beta dealership - Western Motorcycles in Penrith - to do the yearly rego inspection on the CRE500, and I had a squizz at the Beta 200. A cool  bike indeed. Probably exactly what I need, instead of the 350 2T that was there, as well. 

So, there's an 'off the floor' 200 still available, pretty much everywhere. 

 

2
1
1/29/2026 3:52am
Bearuno wrote:
From around the '98 year (though perhaps the Blue 'Jackpiner' came out in '97, as a limited edition?) for many, many  years you could bring a...

From around the '98 year (though perhaps the Blue 'Jackpiner' came out in '97, as a limited edition?) for many, many  years you could bring a 125 up to / near to, the 200 specs.

So, I assume RDnutz's mate has a bike from that near 2 decade engine run?

But, when they went to the next engine design ( 2015?) , well, there was not a chance at that substantial capacity addition.

I think I've seen some companies making the later model 125 / 150 engines a bit bigger, but it's only around the 160 /165cc? enlargement.

I was at my  the local Honda / Suzuki / Royal Enfield / Beta dealership - Western Motorcycles in Penrith - to do the yearly rego inspection on the CRE500, and I had a squizz at the Beta 200. A cool  bike indeed. Probably exactly what I need, instead of the 350 2T that was there, as well. 

So, there's an 'off the floor' 200 still available, pretty much everywhere. 

 

I have been on a BETA Test Day in September last year to Test the long awayting RX 350 .

There was so many waiting for the 350 that i take one Enduro but don‘t Check out what it was .

After the First Laps i thought Fuck what is that for a great Bike , after the Ride i saw it was the 200 .

First time back on a Small Bore after 10 Years 

4
1

The Shop

1/29/2026 5:47am
Bearuno wrote:
From around the '98 year (though perhaps the Blue 'Jackpiner' came out in '97, as a limited edition?) for many, many  years you could bring a...

From around the '98 year (though perhaps the Blue 'Jackpiner' came out in '97, as a limited edition?) for many, many  years you could bring a 125 up to / near to, the 200 specs.

So, I assume RDnutz's mate has a bike from that near 2 decade engine run?

But, when they went to the next engine design ( 2015?) , well, there was not a chance at that substantial capacity addition.

I think I've seen some companies making the later model 125 / 150 engines a bit bigger, but it's only around the 160 /165cc? enlargement.

I was at my  the local Honda / Suzuki / Royal Enfield / Beta dealership - Western Motorcycles in Penrith - to do the yearly rego inspection on the CRE500, and I had a squizz at the Beta 200. A cool  bike indeed. Probably exactly what I need, instead of the 350 2T that was there, as well. 

So, there's an 'off the floor' 200 still available, pretty much everywhere. 

 

I have been on a BETA Test Day in September last year to Test the long awayting RX 350 .There was so many waiting for the...

I have been on a BETA Test Day in September last year to Test the long awayting RX 350 .

There was so many waiting for the 350 that i take one Enduro but don‘t Check out what it was .

After the First Laps i thought Fuck what is that for a great Bike , after the Ride i saw it was the 200 .

First time back on a Small Bore after 10 Years 

Did you ride the 350 also?

DaveB771
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Location
Minneapolis, MN US
1/29/2026 6:08am
I have been on a BETA Test Day in September last year to Test the long awayting RX 350 .There was so many waiting for the...

I have been on a BETA Test Day in September last year to Test the long awayting RX 350 .

There was so many waiting for the 350 that i take one Enduro but don‘t Check out what it was .

After the First Laps i thought Fuck what is that for a great Bike , after the Ride i saw it was the 200 .

First time back on a Small Bore after 10 Years 

I had a similar, but different experience back when Honda brought bikes to the local D17 races at Byron. Huge lines for the 125 and 250. No line for the 500. I went for the short line and for the three laps we were allowed anyway, decided the CR500 was about the best natured bike I’d ridden. I can make any bike slow. 

3
1
1/29/2026 7:14am
Bearuno wrote:
From around the '98 year (though perhaps the Blue 'Jackpiner' came out in '97, as a limited edition?) for many, many  years you could bring a...

From around the '98 year (though perhaps the Blue 'Jackpiner' came out in '97, as a limited edition?) for many, many  years you could bring a 125 up to / near to, the 200 specs.

So, I assume RDnutz's mate has a bike from that near 2 decade engine run?

But, when they went to the next engine design ( 2015?) , well, there was not a chance at that substantial capacity addition.

I think I've seen some companies making the later model 125 / 150 engines a bit bigger, but it's only around the 160 /165cc? enlargement.

I was at my  the local Honda / Suzuki / Royal Enfield / Beta dealership - Western Motorcycles in Penrith - to do the yearly rego inspection on the CRE500, and I had a squizz at the Beta 200. A cool  bike indeed. Probably exactly what I need, instead of the 350 2T that was there, as well. 

So, there's an 'off the floor' 200 still available, pretty much everywhere. 

 

I have been on a BETA Test Day in September last year to Test the long awayting RX 350 .There was so many waiting for the...

I have been on a BETA Test Day in September last year to Test the long awayting RX 350 .

There was so many waiting for the 350 that i take one Enduro but don‘t Check out what it was .

After the First Laps i thought Fuck what is that for a great Bike , after the Ride i saw it was the 200 .

First time back on a Small Bore after 10 Years 

Did you ride the 350 also?

...Not to hijack the thread but I have one.. bout 14 hrs on it... It's freaking badass. 

4
1
RDnutz
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Location
Dolores, CO US
1/29/2026 8:04am
RDnutz wrote:

I have a buddy who purchased a 150 with with 200 upgrade components on it. He loves it.

skypig wrote:
What are “200 upgrades”?A bottom end with greater “stroke” to make it 200cc? Sounds cool.My understanding was that KTM stopped making the 200, as it required...

What are “200 upgrades”?

A bottom end with greater “stroke” to make it 200cc? Sounds cool.

My understanding was that KTM stopped making the 200, as it required a different bottom end, while the 150 was just a big bore barrel on a 125 - easy/cheap.

Bearuno wrote:
From around the '98 year (though perhaps the Blue 'Jackpiner' came out in '97, as a limited edition?) for many, many  years you could bring a...

From around the '98 year (though perhaps the Blue 'Jackpiner' came out in '97, as a limited edition?) for many, many  years you could bring a 125 up to / near to, the 200 specs.

So, I assume RDnutz's mate has a bike from that near 2 decade engine run?

But, when they went to the next engine design ( 2015?) , well, there was not a chance at that substantial capacity addition.

I think I've seen some companies making the later model 125 / 150 engines a bit bigger, but it's only around the 160 /165cc? enlargement.

I was at my  the local Honda / Suzuki / Royal Enfield / Beta dealership - Western Motorcycles in Penrith - to do the yearly rego inspection on the CRE500, and I had a squizz at the Beta 200. A cool  bike indeed. Probably exactly what I need, instead of the 350 2T that was there, as well. 

So, there's an 'off the floor' 200 still available, pretty much everywhere. 

 

My friend has had connections at KTM Southern Cal through a family neighbor for decades. Always a new KTM employee discounted bike every year, etc. He followed the trend in early 2000s and was riding the bigger 4-strokes. I corrupted him over time with my old 2-strokes 😁 He dipped his toe in the pool with a used KTM 150 2T and loved it for light weight and power. Then He shows up with a 200 and after that a 300 about a year apart as his son grew out of PW80 and up. Gifted 1 or more to the son as he went along. Eventually the son ended up with the 200 when he moved out on his own but they kept riding together. Then the 300 was sold off, and my friend kept the 150 for their rides. My recollection is this was all before 2010.

 

Some time passes and I see him with a "new" 200 he was excited about- not the 1 he gave his son. So going back to the family connection to SoCal KTM... Explanation was it's a converted 150 that was owned and built by a long time KTM mechanic who did the teardown and installed the new crank and related top end parts and finished it off with new bodywork, etc., to be like new. He still has it even though he prefers riding his Husky dual sport or KTM adventure unless he's riding with his son and/or me on our 2T...

1
erik_94COBRA
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Location
Houston-ish, TX US
1/29/2026 8:08am
I wish they would make a perfectly linear 200 with a counterbalancer. Basically a 2-stroke version of the 350. Would be much more fun than a...

I wish they would make a perfectly linear 200 with a counterbalancer. Basically a 2-stroke version of the 350. Would be much more fun than a big bore with too much power. 

TDC wrote:
Combining a 200's torque out on the track with a counter balancer would leave one wanting for more torque than possible. The 200 has a smaller...

Combining a 200's torque out on the track with a counter balancer would leave one wanting for more torque than possible. The 200 has a smaller bore character, you can't just roll it on and rip out of a loaded low-mid RPM like a 250. You have to be in a gear to maintain full steam ahead. If you see me(#53) out at 3 Palms or Rio Brovo grab a rip on my mod'd 200SX. It is considerably more powerful than stock and has a very broad powerband. Just can't get that off the pipe torque of a 250, close, but nope.

I have a 2014 KTM 150 and a 2017 Husky 250.  Perfect for me would be more torque than the 150 and less than the 250. I like the riding style of the small bores better but don’t have the talent to ride my 250 that way for long. 

2
TeamGreen
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Thru-out, CA US
1/29/2026 8:10am
ob wrote:

300 makes plenty of usable power for sure. 360? Kind scary 

TeamGreen wrote:

I’m thinking it’s torquey…more “big bore” type power for really good low end?

If this thing is real, I’m stoked! 

ob wrote:

You are right Manny. But dang it when you up displacement it always affects handling. Not in a good way. The 300 is so on rails 

But, you gotta admit…

We BOTH wanna ride it! 
🤣

1/29/2026 8:31am

Did you ride the 350 also?

Yes but it was not what i expected from a 350

Short Shiftet Engine with less low end , aggressive mid to top and a Rock Hard Suspension.

Liked the 200 and 300 Enduro much more 

ob
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3/14/2010
Location
Cardiff , CA US
1/29/2026 9:25am
TeamGreen wrote:

I’m thinking it’s torquey…more “big bore” type power for really good low end?

If this thing is real, I’m stoked! 

ob wrote:

You are right Manny. But dang it when you up displacement it always affects handling. Not in a good way. The 300 is so on rails 

TeamGreen wrote:

But, you gotta admit…

We BOTH wanna ride it! 
🤣

Yes 200%

1
TDC
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HTown, TX US
2/1/2026 9:03am Edited Date/Time 2/1/2026 9:11am
I have a 2014 KTM 150 and a 2017 Husky 250.  Perfect for me would be more torque than the 150 and less than the 250...

I have a 2014 KTM 150 and a 2017 Husky 250.  Perfect for me would be more torque than the 150 and less than the 250. I like the riding style of the small bores better but don’t have the talent to ride my 250 that way for long. 

The 200 hits a sweet spot for sure. As for KTM doing it again. TBI would spoil the party. Beta with the carby wins, but it ain't light neither. 

Timo
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Wichita, KS US
2/1/2026 2:41pm

The big four don't want 2-strokes to be allowed.....they make massive $$$$ on 4-stroke parts. You can't refresh a 4stk for 300 bucks.

 

OEM Piston, rings, timing chain, and gasket set is easily had for $300. If you're keeping the filter halfway decent the valves will last hundreds of hours, no need to replace them unless they've required shimming more than twice. 

mx691
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Fantasy
2/1/2026 8:45pm

Shayne King likes this post!

And possibly Trampas…

1

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