Kawasaki is bringing the two stroke back!

1 day ago

Thanks to Kawasaki’s marketing blunder this thread is now about EV’s. I have a love/hate relationship with Vital but the chaos that has ensued here falls into the “love” column. 

8
1
NickoBrap
Posts
139
Joined
1/10/2025
Location
Somewhere, MI US
1 day ago Edited Date/Time 1 day ago

Let's start imagining worst case scenarios for this whole thing. We are obviously in one of them. Release a teaser then do nothing, but let's imagine if it was worse than nothing. I guess updated mini cycles is something, but every Kawi affiliated person in the industry swears up and down that more is on the way (just a few more months bro).

Can you imagine if they came out with an electric bike that played two stroke noises from a speaker? Like the Dodge Charger EV?

6
1
PRM31
Posts
3513
Joined
8/7/2009
Location
Northern, VA US
Fantasy
1 day ago
NickoBrap wrote:
Let's start imagining worst case scenarios for this whole thing. We are obviously in one of them. Release a teaser then do nothing, but let's imagine...

Let's start imagining worst case scenarios for this whole thing. We are obviously in one of them. Release a teaser then do nothing, but let's imagine if it was worse than nothing. I guess updated mini cycles is something, but every Kawi affiliated person in the industry swears up and down that more is on the way (just a few more months bro).

Can you imagine if they came out with an electric bike that played two stroke noises from a speaker? Like the Dodge Charger EV?

Ha ha, I would boycott Kawi for life. 

I just checked back into this thread thinking surely something, even a date, has been announced. Alas, no. 

2
OwenJakes
Posts
1704
Joined
6/30/2023
Location
sebree, KY US
1 day ago
OwenJakes wrote:
Dumb. I don’t know anyone that wants an electric vehicle. The prelude is a disaster. The only people who like electric stuff are old folks that are...

Dumb. I don’t know anyone that wants an electric vehicle. The prelude is a disaster. 
The only people who like electric stuff are old folks that are tech-obsessed. 
 

Beta480RX wrote:
I want one.I am NOT tech obsessed. Hate that crap, honestly, as does my wife. Only use that stuff where we have to.I have bought my...

I want one.

I am NOT tech obsessed. Hate that crap, honestly, as does my wife. Only use that stuff where we have to.

I have bought my work commuter cars from CoPart. Couple hundred bucks, salvage title, a few hundred more to make them drivable If you shop accordingly. Can usually get another 80k out of those beaters before they totally shit the bed powertrain wise. Currently my 2006 beater is approaching 200k, the dash looks like a Christmas tree with all the pretty colors that won't stay off anymore, oil leaks are getting plentiful, and the speed holes in the rear fenders are getting pretty big. She doesn't have a lot of life left, but I got her at 112k so it's been a life well lived.

My commute is 40mi round trip, and we have plug ins at work for every parking space because it gets stupid cold in the winter. If I go electric with say a 10 or 15 year old compliance car (think Ford Focus EV) that has maybe a 90mi range I not only don't have to buy gas, I don't have to charge it at home except on the weekends. Sure, I will probably have to rebuild the battery pack but that's not all that difficult to do yourself if you really want to do it.

And for the stuff the electric car is impractical for, I've still got my gas powered rigs to cover that.

 

Your post, in an ironic way, is exactly what I said..

You don't really want an EV, but you kinda do want an EV, but you recognize that it's not really good enough to replace any of your traditional vehicles..

So your solution is to add another vehicle that requires insurance, registration, maintenance, and cost into your family so that you can also have a way to save (read: annual net loss) money on your other beaters. But.. you can charge it at work 80% of the time, but sometimes you'll need to charge it at home too (which requires charging infrastructure). Idk man - You're the worst ev salesman on earth😂

I think you want a prius. I own one. Thing is rad man. I also drive a totaled hyundai accent. I love lil beaters. I also like the idea of an EV but I think they're not as easy as they seem. That's just me, maybe I'm wrong!

4
3

The Shop

Beta480RX
Posts
84
Joined
12/30/2025
Location
Helena, MT US
23 hours ago
OwenJakes wrote:
Your post, in an ironic way, is exactly what I said..You don't really want an EV, but you kinda do want an EV, but you recognize...

Your post, in an ironic way, is exactly what I said..

You don't really want an EV, but you kinda do want an EV, but you recognize that it's not really good enough to replace any of your traditional vehicles..

So your solution is to add another vehicle that requires insurance, registration, maintenance, and cost into your family so that you can also have a way to save (read: annual net loss) money on your other beaters. But.. you can charge it at work 80% of the time, but sometimes you'll need to charge it at home too (which requires charging infrastructure). Idk man - You're the worst ev salesman on earth😂

I think you want a prius. I own one. Thing is rad man. I also drive a totaled hyundai accent. I love lil beaters. I also like the idea of an EV but I think they're not as easy as they seem. That's just me, maybe I'm wrong!

Not really. I just believe in having the right tool for the job and an EV fits in as the right tool for the job of commuting.

It's why I have 4 dirt bikes: an MX/GP bike, desert bike, hard enduro/trail bike (to keep the thread somewhat on the rails, she's a Kawasaki 2 stroke), and a dual sport bike. Add my street bike for those days I don't feel like being on the d/s after work.

It's why I also have 5 cages: beater/cheap Hyundai for work, old F150 beater for hauling crap/rocks/landscaping, F150 Raptor for prerunning/hauling bikes, OG Ford Bronco for a project, and a newer Explorer ST so my wife has something nice to drive and an ignorantly fast road trip rig.

I have 240v running all over my shop to power the welders and compressors, so stuffing in a charger is no biggie. Also, many of the older compliance cars have simple (aka S L O W) Level 1 110v charging capability.

Yes, there are additional maintenance costs. However, I have now cut back on the maintenance cost of the rest of the fleet by cutting down on their individual mileage. Total fleet mileage will remain the same.

Registration? Meh. I live in Montana. Permanent registration one time for $150 or so after 11yrs of age and that's it. All but my wife's rig are permanently registered.

Insurance is like $80 for 6mo of the required liability coverage. Will save that with one tank of fuel!

A Prius would be fine too. Also considering a 1st gen Chevy Volt. Lots of options, but a full electric is probably where I will go.

2
3strokemx
Posts
2423
Joined
9/2/2010
Location
US
23 hours ago Edited Date/Time 23 hours ago
NickoBrap wrote:
Let's start imagining worst case scenarios for this whole thing. We are obviously in one of them. Release a teaser then do nothing, but let's imagine...

Let's start imagining worst case scenarios for this whole thing. We are obviously in one of them. Release a teaser then do nothing, but let's imagine if it was worse than nothing. I guess updated mini cycles is something, but every Kawi affiliated person in the industry swears up and down that more is on the way (just a few more months bro).

Can you imagine if they came out with an electric bike that played two stroke noises from a speaker? Like the Dodge Charger EV?

They already have Morgan Wallen and Stone Cold Steve Austin as celebrity partnerships.  What if the delay is because they are still searching for the right partnership for their Ebike with sound effects? They dropped Villopoto to get some budget free for someone really big.

 

1
NickoBrap
Posts
139
Joined
1/10/2025
Location
Somewhere, MI US
23 hours ago
NickoBrap wrote:
Let's start imagining worst case scenarios for this whole thing. We are obviously in one of them. Release a teaser then do nothing, but let's imagine...

Let's start imagining worst case scenarios for this whole thing. We are obviously in one of them. Release a teaser then do nothing, but let's imagine if it was worse than nothing. I guess updated mini cycles is something, but every Kawi affiliated person in the industry swears up and down that more is on the way (just a few more months bro).

Can you imagine if they came out with an electric bike that played two stroke noises from a speaker? Like the Dodge Charger EV?

3strokemx wrote:
They already have Morgan Wallen and Stone Cold Steve Austin as celebrity partnerships.  What if the delay is because they are still searching for the right...

They already have Morgan Wallen and Stone Cold Steve Austin as celebrity partnerships.  What if the delay is because they are still searching for the right partnership for their Ebike with sound effects? They dropped Villopoto to get some budget free for someone really big.

 

But then they hired villo back because reasons. 

1
jasonv43
Posts
10272
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Thousand Oaks, CA US
22 hours ago
2
8500rpm
Posts
521
Joined
12/31/2020
Location
SE
22 hours ago

It's not about being obsessed about EVs or anything... again, I love the sound of real engines... but I also have to be honest about the development...  those who go 2-stroke are going instinct.. the future is electric, love it or hate it.

I didn't look for it, just popped into my YouTube feed (very convenient this time Wink ) ... 'Dirt Bike Channel' just had an interesting piece... growth velocity for electric is almost double combustion... and what is 2-stroke to that.. a tiny bit.. 

I love boats also, I loved my Evinrude 2-stroke HO outboard... much punchier than a 4-stroke...apparently also more environmentally friendly, but BPR killed it off... why ? ( I have no idea... but maybe it didn't pass all hoops after all???).

I also came upon a video from Zay Solis, looks fun, young guys enjoying small jumps (yes, we laugh) but it's getting traction... It's like a totally different sport, you wouldn't bring a tuned Surron to Pala or wherever...but the younger buying community loves it much more than 'RC's 2stroke from the 90s'.... 

Screenshot 2026-05-18 at 22.46.21Screenshot 2026-05-18 at 22.45.52 0Screenshot 2026-05-18 at 22.54.58.png?VersionId=OT2Ufq6uezOKJlDtHN6
2
soggy
Posts
8515
Joined
12/3/2018
Location
UT US
21 hours ago
OwenJakes wrote:
Dumb. I don’t know anyone that wants an electric vehicle. The prelude is a disaster. The only people who like electric stuff are old folks that are...

Dumb. I don’t know anyone that wants an electric vehicle. The prelude is a disaster. 
The only people who like electric stuff are old folks that are tech-obsessed. 
 

Beta480RX wrote:
I want one.I am NOT tech obsessed. Hate that crap, honestly, as does my wife. Only use that stuff where we have to.I have bought my...

I want one.

I am NOT tech obsessed. Hate that crap, honestly, as does my wife. Only use that stuff where we have to.

I have bought my work commuter cars from CoPart. Couple hundred bucks, salvage title, a few hundred more to make them drivable If you shop accordingly. Can usually get another 80k out of those beaters before they totally shit the bed powertrain wise. Currently my 2006 beater is approaching 200k, the dash looks like a Christmas tree with all the pretty colors that won't stay off anymore, oil leaks are getting plentiful, and the speed holes in the rear fenders are getting pretty big. She doesn't have a lot of life left, but I got her at 112k so it's been a life well lived.

My commute is 40mi round trip, and we have plug ins at work for every parking space because it gets stupid cold in the winter. If I go electric with say a 10 or 15 year old compliance car (think Ford Focus EV) that has maybe a 90mi range I not only don't have to buy gas, I don't have to charge it at home except on the weekends. Sure, I will probably have to rebuild the battery pack but that's not all that difficult to do yourself if you really want to do it.

And for the stuff the electric car is impractical for, I've still got my gas powered rigs to cover that.

 

OwenJakes wrote:
Your post, in an ironic way, is exactly what I said..You don't really want an EV, but you kinda do want an EV, but you recognize...

Your post, in an ironic way, is exactly what I said..

You don't really want an EV, but you kinda do want an EV, but you recognize that it's not really good enough to replace any of your traditional vehicles..

So your solution is to add another vehicle that requires insurance, registration, maintenance, and cost into your family so that you can also have a way to save (read: annual net loss) money on your other beaters. But.. you can charge it at work 80% of the time, but sometimes you'll need to charge it at home too (which requires charging infrastructure). Idk man - You're the worst ev salesman on earth😂

I think you want a prius. I own one. Thing is rad man. I also drive a totaled hyundai accent. I love lil beaters. I also like the idea of an EV but I think they're not as easy as they seem. That's just me, maybe I'm wrong!

Sounds gay. 

2
19 hours ago
OwenJakes wrote:
Dumb. I don’t know anyone that wants an electric vehicle. The prelude is a disaster. The only people who like electric stuff are old folks that are...

Dumb. I don’t know anyone that wants an electric vehicle. The prelude is a disaster. 
The only people who like electric stuff are old folks that are tech-obsessed. 
 

Beta480RX wrote:
I want one.I am NOT tech obsessed. Hate that crap, honestly, as does my wife. Only use that stuff where we have to.I have bought my...

I want one.

I am NOT tech obsessed. Hate that crap, honestly, as does my wife. Only use that stuff where we have to.

I have bought my work commuter cars from CoPart. Couple hundred bucks, salvage title, a few hundred more to make them drivable If you shop accordingly. Can usually get another 80k out of those beaters before they totally shit the bed powertrain wise. Currently my 2006 beater is approaching 200k, the dash looks like a Christmas tree with all the pretty colors that won't stay off anymore, oil leaks are getting plentiful, and the speed holes in the rear fenders are getting pretty big. She doesn't have a lot of life left, but I got her at 112k so it's been a life well lived.

My commute is 40mi round trip, and we have plug ins at work for every parking space because it gets stupid cold in the winter. If I go electric with say a 10 or 15 year old compliance car (think Ford Focus EV) that has maybe a 90mi range I not only don't have to buy gas, I don't have to charge it at home except on the weekends. Sure, I will probably have to rebuild the battery pack but that's not all that difficult to do yourself if you really want to do it.

And for the stuff the electric car is impractical for, I've still got my gas powered rigs to cover that.

 

3strokemx wrote:

I dont know about other EV's, but the 6 Ford Transit EV's at my work need new tires every 3-5k miles.

EV's are great for burnouts!

1
Gmyersdork
Posts
341
Joined
2/16/2021
Location
Beverly Hills, FL US
13 hours ago
plink01 wrote:

Anyone heard a date when they are gonna unleash the new green machine? I heard maybe in a few months. Just wanna get my deposit ready.

Yamaha is waiting for you to show up

1
11 hours ago

While we are on the topic, this was my first Kawasaki two stroke. I remember being very impressed with the stopping power from the conical hub brakes, the supple swingarm range due to the needle swingarm bearings and the unweighted feel I got from the lightweight engine cover - resin. I wasn't totally happy with the appearance of the bailing bucket rear fender and I cut a notch out of the side cover to expose the trick remote reservoir because I saw it in a magazine. It was a move I instantly regretted because it looked like a 13 year old did it with a hacksaw. Which is exactly what happened.

image 3020.png?VersionId=O
10
5 hours ago Edited Date/Time 5 hours ago
While we are on the topic, this was my first Kawasaki two stroke. I remember being very impressed with the stopping power from the conical hub...

While we are on the topic, this was my first Kawasaki two stroke. I remember being very impressed with the stopping power from the conical hub brakes, the supple swingarm range due to the needle swingarm bearings and the unweighted feel I got from the lightweight engine cover - resin. I wasn't totally happy with the appearance of the bailing bucket rear fender and I cut a notch out of the side cover to expose the trick remote reservoir because I saw it in a magazine. It was a move I instantly regretted because it looked like a 13 year old did it with a hacksaw. Which is exactly what happened.

image 3020.png?VersionId=O
foxham.jpg?VersionId=4OMZnN 0RdSTk2MQeZivo7L5H9zV7Dr

Oh man, I loved mine! Waiting in the shed for me on Christmas Day 1981, the best Christmas ever 😄

9
BoxcarWilly
Posts
1137
Joined
10/5/2023
Location
Thunder Bay, ON CA
4 hours ago

This has been a great marketing campaign for TBI KTMs and YZ250s. 

3
MAS06
Posts
42
Joined
6/25/2011
Location
Onondaga, MI US
Fantasy
4 hours ago

"everything is going EV" Ive been hearing that for a long time, never understood why we cant have both but EV seems to be failing, Hybrids are what people actually want, Id like to have a Stark for my home little track, but not at 14k

1
Beta480RX
Posts
84
Joined
12/30/2025
Location
Helena, MT US
4 hours ago
3strokemx wrote:
They already have Morgan Wallen and Stone Cold Steve Austin as celebrity partnerships.  What if the delay is because they are still searching for the right...

They already have Morgan Wallen and Stone Cold Steve Austin as celebrity partnerships.  What if the delay is because they are still searching for the right partnership for their Ebike with sound effects? They dropped Villopoto to get some budget free for someone really big.

 

I wouldn't necessarily call Steve Austin a "celebrity partnership."

The guy flat out hauls ass in the Teryx 1000, and has won races/titles with it. He is absolutely no joke behind the wheel and wants to be treated just like any other racer when he is at a race.

1
3strokemx
Posts
2423
Joined
9/2/2010
Location
US
3 hours ago
Beta480RX wrote:
I wouldn't necessarily call Steve Austin a "celebrity partnership."The guy flat out hauls ass in the Teryx 1000, and has won races/titles with it. He is...

I wouldn't necessarily call Steve Austin a "celebrity partnership."

The guy flat out hauls ass in the Teryx 1000, and has won races/titles with it. He is absolutely no joke behind the wheel and wants to be treated just like any other racer when he is at a race.

I had no idea he was good at racing lawn equipment.  

1
1 hour ago
While we are on the topic, this was my first Kawasaki two stroke. I remember being very impressed with the stopping power from the conical hub...

While we are on the topic, this was my first Kawasaki two stroke. I remember being very impressed with the stopping power from the conical hub brakes, the supple swingarm range due to the needle swingarm bearings and the unweighted feel I got from the lightweight engine cover - resin. I wasn't totally happy with the appearance of the bailing bucket rear fender and I cut a notch out of the side cover to expose the trick remote reservoir because I saw it in a magazine. It was a move I instantly regretted because it looked like a 13 year old did it with a hacksaw. Which is exactly what happened.

image 3020.png?VersionId=O
Oh man, I loved mine! Waiting in the shed for me on Christmas Day 1981, the best Christmas ever 😄
foxham.jpg?VersionId=4OMZnN 0RdSTk2MQeZivo7L5H9zV7Dr

Oh man, I loved mine! Waiting in the shed for me on Christmas Day 1981, the best Christmas ever 😄

Such a great pic! It is page '82 afterall. Time to bring back the two stroke, Kawi.

1 hour ago
While we are on the topic, this was my first Kawasaki two stroke. I remember being very impressed with the stopping power from the conical hub...

While we are on the topic, this was my first Kawasaki two stroke. I remember being very impressed with the stopping power from the conical hub brakes, the supple swingarm range due to the needle swingarm bearings and the unweighted feel I got from the lightweight engine cover - resin. I wasn't totally happy with the appearance of the bailing bucket rear fender and I cut a notch out of the side cover to expose the trick remote reservoir because I saw it in a magazine. It was a move I instantly regretted because it looked like a 13 year old did it with a hacksaw. Which is exactly what happened.

image 3020.png?VersionId=O
Oh man, I loved mine! Waiting in the shed for me on Christmas Day 1981, the best Christmas ever 😄
foxham.jpg?VersionId=4OMZnN 0RdSTk2MQeZivo7L5H9zV7Dr

Oh man, I loved mine! Waiting in the shed for me on Christmas Day 1981, the best Christmas ever 😄

HOF picture. Hope you got that framed and hung up in the living room!

1
52 minutes ago
While we are on the topic, this was my first Kawasaki two stroke. I remember being very impressed with the stopping power from the conical hub...

While we are on the topic, this was my first Kawasaki two stroke. I remember being very impressed with the stopping power from the conical hub brakes, the supple swingarm range due to the needle swingarm bearings and the unweighted feel I got from the lightweight engine cover - resin. I wasn't totally happy with the appearance of the bailing bucket rear fender and I cut a notch out of the side cover to expose the trick remote reservoir because I saw it in a magazine. It was a move I instantly regretted because it looked like a 13 year old did it with a hacksaw. Which is exactly what happened.

image 3020.png?VersionId=O

Ugly as sin bike. Absolute gross. That was 30yrs ago, today I'd have one of them in a heartbeat. I love the look.

1

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

The Latest