Kawasaki is bringing the two stroke back!

dnolder15
Posts
49
Joined
2/10/2025
Location
Allegany, NY US
1/29/2026 2:30pm

A TM would fit the bill, too, but neither that or this customized build are exactly mass market affordable bikes.

3strokemx wrote:

How much is the KX300?

I'm gonna guess they'll come in pricewise right around their current KX250 in terms of their lineup fit. My next completely butt-pulled guess is that it doesn't...

I'm gonna guess they'll come in pricewise right around their current KX250 in terms of their lineup fit. 

My next completely butt-pulled guess is that it doesn't fit the conversation we are having anyways, showing up with the same exact Showa components that come on their current KX and KX-X models.

Rumor is it’s gonna have KYB 

1
OldTech
Posts
1208
Joined
1/13/2024
Location
Decatur , AL US
1/29/2026 4:57pm

All I'm worried about is vibration with the aluminum frame, please have a counter balancer.

6
1
moto9
Posts
230
Joined
11/11/2016
Location
Waimea, HI US
1/29/2026 5:17pm

If a 300, it would have to have a cb, the excessive vibs would deter riders from buying one.

A 300 kit added a substantial amount of vibs to my yz 250x

1
dnolder15
Posts
49
Joined
2/10/2025
Location
Allegany, NY US
1/29/2026 6:27pm
OldTech wrote:

All I'm worried about is vibration with the aluminum frame, please have a counter balancer.

Definitely gonna be counter balanced without a doubt 

4
1

The Shop

1/30/2026 6:25am

Not a single mention of weight savings on the new 85/112..... These companies advertise to the moon if they save 200g somewhere. That frame and larger forks certainly do not scream weight reduction.

as far as the mystery big bikes, I dont know how you could imagine designing a new 2t from scratch without a counter balancer.

1
1
soggy
Posts
8469
Joined
12/3/2018
Location
UT US
1/30/2026 6:51am
Not a single mention of weight savings on the new 85/112..... These companies advertise to the moon if they save 200g somewhere. That frame and larger...

Not a single mention of weight savings on the new 85/112..... These companies advertise to the moon if they save 200g somewhere. That frame and larger forks certainly do not scream weight reduction.

as far as the mystery big bikes, I dont know how you could imagine designing a new 2t from scratch without a counter balancer.

I think the weight watching is not as important as people thought. Look at all the weight KTM has gained over the last ten years.  

2
1
40acres
Posts
805
Joined
7/23/2017
Location
Houston, TX US
1/30/2026 6:52am
Not a single mention of weight savings on the new 85/112..... These companies advertise to the moon if they save 200g somewhere. That frame and larger...

Not a single mention of weight savings on the new 85/112..... These companies advertise to the moon if they save 200g somewhere. That frame and larger forks certainly do not scream weight reduction.

as far as the mystery big bikes, I dont know how you could imagine designing a new 2t from scratch without a counter balancer.

According to Kawasaki, there is a 4lb savings from the 2025 to the 2026 KX85 model. 

1
Luxon MX
Posts
1372
Joined
11/6/2017
Location
San Diego, CA US
Fantasy
1/30/2026 7:09am
soggy wrote:

I think the weight watching is not as important as people thought. Look at all the weight KTM has gained over the last ten years.  

Just because KTM ruined their chassis design in 2023 doesn't mean that weight isn't important

17
2
soggy
Posts
8469
Joined
12/3/2018
Location
UT US
1/30/2026 8:06am
soggy wrote:

I think the weight watching is not as important as people thought. Look at all the weight KTM has gained over the last ten years.  

Luxon MX wrote:

Just because KTM ruined their chassis design in 2023 doesn't mean that weight isn't important

It obviously plays a part it just doesn't seem like manufacturers are obsessed with shaving weight like they were in the mid 2010's.   I am not an engineer so at the risk of being called an idiot I would hazard a guess that CG is just as important to pay attention to when saving weight.

1
2
1/30/2026 9:17am
Not a single mention of weight savings on the new 85/112..... These companies advertise to the moon if they save 200g somewhere. That frame and larger...

Not a single mention of weight savings on the new 85/112..... These companies advertise to the moon if they save 200g somewhere. That frame and larger forks certainly do not scream weight reduction.

as far as the mystery big bikes, I dont know how you could imagine designing a new 2t from scratch without a counter balancer.

40acres wrote:

According to Kawasaki, there is a 4lb savings from the 2025 to the 2026 KX85 model. 

Man, 4 lbs is a lot on that little bike, especially with stiffening the fame, going to beefier brakes, suspension (larger shock shaft, etc), and larger foot pegs.

Where could they have pulled that from? 

✅ Switched to decent aluminum handlebars

What else?

1
1
280driver
Posts
853
Joined
3/22/2017
Location
VA US
1/30/2026 10:39am
Not a single mention of weight savings on the new 85/112..... These companies advertise to the moon if they save 200g somewhere. That frame and larger...

Not a single mention of weight savings on the new 85/112..... These companies advertise to the moon if they save 200g somewhere. That frame and larger forks certainly do not scream weight reduction.

as far as the mystery big bikes, I dont know how you could imagine designing a new 2t from scratch without a counter balancer.

40acres wrote:

According to Kawasaki, there is a 4lb savings from the 2025 to the 2026 KX85 model. 

Man, 4 lbs is a lot on that little bike, especially with stiffening the fame, going to beefier brakes, suspension (larger shock shaft, etc), and larger...

Man, 4 lbs is a lot on that little bike, especially with stiffening the fame, going to beefier brakes, suspension (larger shock shaft, etc), and larger foot pegs.

Where could they have pulled that from? 

✅ Switched to decent aluminum handlebars

What else?

Aluminum steerer tube and aluminum rear sprocket as well the handle bars.

1
Luxon MX
Posts
1372
Joined
11/6/2017
Location
San Diego, CA US
Fantasy
1/30/2026 10:41am
soggy wrote:
It obviously plays a part it just doesn't seem like manufacturers are obsessed with shaving weight like they were in the mid 2010's.   I am...

It obviously plays a part it just doesn't seem like manufacturers are obsessed with shaving weight like they were in the mid 2010's.   I am not an engineer so at the risk of being called an idiot I would hazard a guess that CG is just as important to pay attention to when saving weight.

Yes, the CG is important, as is the distribution of weight relative to the CG. But the total weight is also important. Each will play a different role in different scenarios. For acceleration and braking, the actual weight is all that really matters; CG location and weight distribution (within reason) is irrelevant. For cornering and throwing the bike around, CG and distribution come into play much more, but overall weight still very much matters. 

8
dang472
Posts
605
Joined
6/26/2014
Location
Kingston, IL US
Fantasy
1/30/2026 12:29pm

I just want it to set right on a regular MX stand. That lower frame cradle has sucked since the 80s.

3
2
soggy
Posts
8469
Joined
12/3/2018
Location
UT US
1/30/2026 1:20pm
Not a single mention of weight savings on the new 85/112..... These companies advertise to the moon if they save 200g somewhere. That frame and larger...

Not a single mention of weight savings on the new 85/112..... These companies advertise to the moon if they save 200g somewhere. That frame and larger forks certainly do not scream weight reduction.

as far as the mystery big bikes, I dont know how you could imagine designing a new 2t from scratch without a counter balancer.

40acres wrote:

According to Kawasaki, there is a 4lb savings from the 2025 to the 2026 KX85 model. 

Man, 4 lbs is a lot on that little bike, especially with stiffening the fame, going to beefier brakes, suspension (larger shock shaft, etc), and larger...

Man, 4 lbs is a lot on that little bike, especially with stiffening the fame, going to beefier brakes, suspension (larger shock shaft, etc), and larger foot pegs.

Where could they have pulled that from? 

✅ Switched to decent aluminum handlebars

What else?

Someone above pointed out the forks could actually be lighter because of thinner wall thickness needed in the material. No idea if it’s valid in this case. 

2
1/30/2026 1:50pm
40acres wrote:

According to Kawasaki, there is a 4lb savings from the 2025 to the 2026 KX85 model. 

Man, 4 lbs is a lot on that little bike, especially with stiffening the fame, going to beefier brakes, suspension (larger shock shaft, etc), and larger...

Man, 4 lbs is a lot on that little bike, especially with stiffening the fame, going to beefier brakes, suspension (larger shock shaft, etc), and larger foot pegs.

Where could they have pulled that from? 

✅ Switched to decent aluminum handlebars

What else?

soggy wrote:
Someone above pointed out the forks could actually be lighter because of thinner wall thickness needed in the material. No idea if it’s valid in this...

Someone above pointed out the forks could actually be lighter because of thinner wall thickness needed in the material. No idea if it’s valid in this case. 

Which is why I didn't include it in my list of things they beefed up.

3
1/30/2026 2:04pm

Is a KXF 450 just a CRF 450? Aluminum frames and Showa.

If it's the same generic criteria you had with the 2T aka "4 stroke with aluminum frame with Showa", yeah in a different color.

The inference, since you missed it, is that it will likely be nothing like the YZ, as the KXF is nothing like the CRF. 

I didn't miss the inference, I was just going off your requirements which exist in the market now (2T, alum frame w/KYCool .  So what is it about a KX 2T that you think is going to be better?

5
mxrose3
Posts
2325
Joined
8/17/2006
Location
Delmar, DE US
1/30/2026 2:53pm Edited Date/Time 1/30/2026 5:12pm
dang472 wrote:

I just want it to set right on a regular MX stand. That lower frame cradle has sucked since the 80s.

Absolutely.   Why they can't stop that big single piece of frame downtube above the exhaust port  is beyond me.   That would make it easy to have a center port exhaust also.  But no, that big single tube goes all the way from the steering tube to the footpegs.   Probably easier to manufacture though.

4
soggy
Posts
8469
Joined
12/3/2018
Location
UT US
1/30/2026 5:09pm
Man, 4 lbs is a lot on that little bike, especially with stiffening the fame, going to beefier brakes, suspension (larger shock shaft, etc), and larger...

Man, 4 lbs is a lot on that little bike, especially with stiffening the fame, going to beefier brakes, suspension (larger shock shaft, etc), and larger foot pegs.

Where could they have pulled that from? 

✅ Switched to decent aluminum handlebars

What else?

soggy wrote:
Someone above pointed out the forks could actually be lighter because of thinner wall thickness needed in the material. No idea if it’s valid in this...

Someone above pointed out the forks could actually be lighter because of thinner wall thickness needed in the material. No idea if it’s valid in this case. 

Which is why I didn't include it in my list of things they beefed up.

yes and I was saying that the forks could be an area where weight was saved if what that other poster said is correct.

2
1/30/2026 5:35pm

If it's the same generic criteria you had with the 2T aka "4 stroke with aluminum frame with Showa", yeah in a different color.

The inference, since you missed it, is that it will likely be nothing like the YZ, as the KXF is nothing like the CRF. 

I didn't miss the inference, I was just going off your requirements which exist in the market now (2T, alum frame w/KYB).  So what is it...

I didn't miss the inference, I was just going off your requirements which exist in the market now (2T, alum frame w/KYCool .  So what is it about a KX 2T that you think is going to be better?

No idea if it will be better, but a new modern design from an old manufacturer interests me. The YZ is basically a 2005. Pretty safe to assume it will be fuel injected, counter balanced and e-start. Since my last RM250 ive had 14 ktm two strokes mixed in with a bunch of 4s, and though I obviously like them a change would be welcome... 

3
ADynes
Posts
274
Joined
5/26/2011
Location
IN US
1/31/2026 7:17am

Hilarious that the kx85 has a 220mm rear brake rotor now, same size as the KTM big bikes (which overheat easily). 

3
lumpy790
Posts
11269
Joined
9/18/2007
Location
York, SC US
1/31/2026 12:48pm
lumpy790 wrote:

Sorry guys but Kawasaki is still not showing the 2026 KX85 or KX112 so that’s probably what the 2 strokes will be 

Dam who was it that called it 

1
17
soggy
Posts
8469
Joined
12/3/2018
Location
UT US
2/1/2026 8:19am
lumpy790 wrote:

Sorry guys but Kawasaki is still not showing the 2026 KX85 or KX112 so that’s probably what the 2 strokes will be 

lumpy790 wrote:

Dam who was it that called it 

parties over guys Lumpy called it everyone go home.  🙄

6
mitch199
Posts
128
Joined
11/20/2013
Location
AU
2/1/2026 9:09pm

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6eEmC831xWSDU89qtkLGgP?si=S_SgiBbISTiRwIjj29sngg&ct=147&t=147

This chat from last year with Kyron Bacon (Aussie EnduroGP for Kawasaki Italy) has a read-between-the-lines component. The ‘27 bike will be an FI 300 2t Enduro. 
Not the same as his currently available KL-Service KX300X 4t, raced in EnduroGP of course.

5
Paul333
Posts
2151
Joined
2/15/2012
Location
Virginia Beach, VA US
2/3/2026 5:40am

It is odd they tease it then go silent. No pictures, no release, nothing. 

 

5
dnolder15
Posts
49
Joined
2/10/2025
Location
Allegany, NY US
2/8/2026 10:12am

Round 1 of GNCC is next weekend, wonder if they’ll have anything setup there, or if they’ll drop some type of PR for it, since half the reason they’re making the 300 is for the Woods/GNCC guys 

2
soggy
Posts
8469
Joined
12/3/2018
Location
UT US
2/11/2026 10:05am

tomorrow.

based on nothing but a gut feeling.

6
4
agn5008
Posts
1886
Joined
3/8/2021
Location
PA, PA US
Fantasy
2/11/2026 10:36am
soggy wrote:

tomorrow.

based on nothing but a gut feeling.

No reason what so ever? 😂

1
1
soggy
Posts
8469
Joined
12/3/2018
Location
UT US
2/12/2026 7:27am
soggy wrote:

tomorrow.

based on nothing but a gut feeling.

agn5008 wrote:

No reason what so ever? 😂

Yep. Fully prepared to be wrong. It was just a hunch. 

2
1
Zoom
Posts
1360
Joined
10/21/2012
Location
Cypress, TX US
2/12/2026 7:42am
soggy wrote:

tomorrow.

based on nothing but a gut feeling.

agn5008 wrote:

No reason what so ever? 😂

soggy wrote:

Yep. Fully prepared to be wrong. It was just a hunch. 

Don't get your hopes up. Few more months?

soggy
Posts
8469
Joined
12/3/2018
Location
UT US
2/12/2026 7:52am
agn5008 wrote:

No reason what so ever? 😂

soggy wrote:

Yep. Fully prepared to be wrong. It was just a hunch. 

Zoom wrote:

Don't get your hopes up. Few more months?

I’m excited to see what it will be but I won’t be buying one so when it comes out it will be cool but that’s about for me. Will be interesting to see how it looks and stacks up against the competition. 

2

Post a reply to: Kawasaki is bringing the two stroke back!

The Latest