Kawasaki is bringing the two stroke back!

Village Idiot
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5/20/2026 12:15pm
GrapeApe wrote:
As penance for my contributions to the Honda four stroke talk here's my Lechien inspired Kawasaki 2 stroke and my childhood dog Murphy

As penance for my contributions to the Honda four stroke talk here's my Lechien inspired Kawasaki 2 stroke and my childhood dog Murphy

Scan2026-04-23 114052.jpg?VersionId=sZVVT1

Do you still have that one?

GrapeApe wrote:

Unfortunately no that one was sold in '89. I wish I still had it and the JT Bad Bones gear, and the dog.

Been away for a few months and trying to catch up, so I'm just seeing this.

Sorry, I can't help you with the 125 (but I do have a 5-hunny) or Murphy, but some of these are still around - (I didn't have today's paper to document the date, hence the dated ransom note with the name to establish authenticity. 😄)

JT Bones
7
5/21/2026 6:22am
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.

Thanks! It's an old track at a place called Foxham. Move the cows out of the field the day before, line the track out with tape, start the races with an elastic bungee - the best days. My jeans look wet because it was absolutely scorching that day and my dad threw water at me every lap as I passed lap scoring. I was slow enough that he couldn't miss 😄

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5/21/2026 6:29am

June cant come soon enough 

2

The Shop

Zoom
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5/21/2026 8:14am

Love these conspiracy theories...

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MXracr157
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5/21/2026 8:34am
Almost missing the Honda XR discussion from a few weeks ago after checking on this thread today and seeing EV discourse 🙃I wanted one of these...

Almost missing the Honda XR discussion from a few weeks ago after checking on this thread today and seeing EV discourse 🙃

I wanted one of these so much as a teenager!!

csteel 164 7-761x1024

I remember that pic, sooo cool!!

 

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Beta480RX
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5/21/2026 9:08am

And to think this green smoker thread in close to a year and half has 1000 more replies than the now almost 6 year old 2021... nope 2022... whoops 2023... wait a minute 2024... hold on sorry 2025... well crap 2026 RMZ450 thread...

 

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BoxcarWilly
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5/21/2026 10:28am

100 Pages

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3strokemx
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5/21/2026 11:53am

100 Pages

All because Kawasaki said "We heard you" followed by a film studio dirtbike sound clip.

Why isn't this in the Dumbgeon?  It's over 80 pages with ZERO legitmate information.

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PTshox
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5/22/2026 10:48pm

So, 80 pages… no photos. Over a year. Does anyone really think this is good marketing? Good marketing should communicate to customer - this group-  what the company actually will be doing – in a straight up way. Sure – if you want to get creative go ahead and use some chicks for eye ball… show side shots etc. We’ve all seen this. Get it. A little hype. no problem. But deliver. No games. 

 

However, what has happened thus far leads to distrust of the buyers if there is nothing delivered. And… it’s been way too long since the first message. “KAW You posted this add. yet to see anything”. Combine this with the Kaw team struggles on the factory side. History with Tomac, Jake and his comments. RV etc.… BTW I don’t blame the Chase situation 100% on KAW management. Imo he’s not going to be happy anywhere. He and his dad should buy their own bikes and start their own team. Be 100% responsible for their decisions and destiney. I think we all know how that works out – when there is no one left to blame. 

 

My point is something is wrong. There doesn’t seem to be any common sense with what’s taking place at KAW. And from my experience – there is most often ONE guy responsible.  Rules with an iron fist. No one likes them. And no one stands up to them either. Afraid for their jobs. 

 

That’s what I m seeing from the outside. Do we need another 80 pages of .. what if’s to prove it? It’s just messed up, a waste of all of our time… Someone needs to step up and punt that person like Vince Freese does in a LCQ!

 

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soggy
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5/23/2026 6:39am
PTshox wrote:
So, 80 pages… no photos. Over a year. Does anyone really think this is good marketing? Good marketing should communicate to customer - this group-  what...

So, 80 pages… no photos. Over a year. Does anyone really think this is good marketing? Good marketing should communicate to customer - this group-  what the company actually will be doing – in a straight up way. Sure – if you want to get creative go ahead and use some chicks for eye ball… show side shots etc. We’ve all seen this. Get it. A little hype. no problem. But deliver. No games. 

 

However, what has happened thus far leads to distrust of the buyers if there is nothing delivered. And… it’s been way too long since the first message. “KAW You posted this add. yet to see anything”. Combine this with the Kaw team struggles on the factory side. History with Tomac, Jake and his comments. RV etc.… BTW I don’t blame the Chase situation 100% on KAW management. Imo he’s not going to be happy anywhere. He and his dad should buy their own bikes and start their own team. Be 100% responsible for their decisions and destiney. I think we all know how that works out – when there is no one left to blame. 

 

My point is something is wrong. There doesn’t seem to be any common sense with what’s taking place at KAW. And from my experience – there is most often ONE guy responsible.  Rules with an iron fist. No one likes them. And no one stands up to them either. Afraid for their jobs. 

 

That’s what I m seeing from the outside. Do we need another 80 pages of .. what if’s to prove it? It’s just messed up, a waste of all of our time… Someone needs to step up and punt that person like Vince Freese does in a LCQ!

 

Holy shit that’s a lot of drivel. 

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280driver
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5/23/2026 6:57am

June 2nd.

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69HemiGTX
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oh-really
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CR92
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5/23/2026 7:31am

When was it that Villopoto said the release, or new information, would be out in a few months? 

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soggy
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5/23/2026 7:32am
CR92 wrote:

When was it that Villopoto said the release, or new information, would be out in a few months? 

Maybe about 2 months ago?  It was his last pulpMx show appearance

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CR92
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5/23/2026 7:41am
CR92 wrote:

When was it that Villopoto said the release, or new information, would be out in a few months? 

soggy wrote:

Maybe about 2 months ago?  It was his last pulpMx show appearance

I just looked that up, thank you. 

He was on pulp on March 23rd, so you are spot on, literally, with the 2 months. 

I guess we have 1 more month to wait. 

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Tiki
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5/23/2026 9:11am
PTshox wrote:
So, 80 pages… no photos. Over a year. Does anyone really think this is good marketing? Good marketing should communicate to customer - this group-  what...

So, 80 pages… no photos. Over a year. Does anyone really think this is good marketing? Good marketing should communicate to customer - this group-  what the company actually will be doing – in a straight up way. Sure – if you want to get creative go ahead and use some chicks for eye ball… show side shots etc. We’ve all seen this. Get it. A little hype. no problem. But deliver. No games. 

 

However, what has happened thus far leads to distrust of the buyers if there is nothing delivered. And… it’s been way too long since the first message. “KAW You posted this add. yet to see anything”. Combine this with the Kaw team struggles on the factory side. History with Tomac, Jake and his comments. RV etc.… BTW I don’t blame the Chase situation 100% on KAW management. Imo he’s not going to be happy anywhere. He and his dad should buy their own bikes and start their own team. Be 100% responsible for their decisions and destiney. I think we all know how that works out – when there is no one left to blame. 

 

My point is something is wrong. There doesn’t seem to be any common sense with what’s taking place at KAW. And from my experience – there is most often ONE guy responsible.  Rules with an iron fist. No one likes them. And no one stands up to them either. Afraid for their jobs. 

 

That’s what I m seeing from the outside. Do we need another 80 pages of .. what if’s to prove it? It’s just messed up, a waste of all of our time… Someone needs to step up and punt that person like Vince Freese does in a LCQ!

 

How many people DIDN'T buy a Kawasaki in hopes this was going to be released. Then just bought something else to settle with? 

2
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Gmyersdork
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5/23/2026 10:01am
Tiki wrote:

How many people DIDN'T buy a Kawasaki in hopes this was going to be released. Then just bought something else to settle with? 

The way my local yamaha dealer has been selling yz 2t's, I'd say a lot

1
bluesmoke
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5/23/2026 10:13am
PTshox wrote:
So, 80 pages… no photos. Over a year. Does anyone really think this is good marketing? Good marketing should communicate to customer - this group-  what...

So, 80 pages… no photos. Over a year. Does anyone really think this is good marketing? Good marketing should communicate to customer - this group-  what the company actually will be doing – in a straight up way. Sure – if you want to get creative go ahead and use some chicks for eye ball… show side shots etc. We’ve all seen this. Get it. A little hype. no problem. But deliver. No games. 

 

However, what has happened thus far leads to distrust of the buyers if there is nothing delivered. And… it’s been way too long since the first message. “KAW You posted this add. yet to see anything”. Combine this with the Kaw team struggles on the factory side. History with Tomac, Jake and his comments. RV etc.… BTW I don’t blame the Chase situation 100% on KAW management. Imo he’s not going to be happy anywhere. He and his dad should buy their own bikes and start their own team. Be 100% responsible for their decisions and destiney. I think we all know how that works out – when there is no one left to blame. 

 

My point is something is wrong. There doesn’t seem to be any common sense with what’s taking place at KAW. And from my experience – there is most often ONE guy responsible.  Rules with an iron fist. No one likes them. And no one stands up to them either. Afraid for their jobs. 

 

That’s what I m seeing from the outside. Do we need another 80 pages of .. what if’s to prove it? It’s just messed up, a waste of all of our time… Someone needs to step up and punt that person like Vince Freese does in a LCQ!

 

Tiki wrote:

How many people DIDN'T buy a Kawasaki in hopes this was going to be released. Then just bought something else to settle with? 

I'm holding off on a new woods bike purchase. If kawi no shows, then its off to Beta. I gotta see if they bring somethin to the table. Hope its not a steamy bowl of f@#&* all.

1
MOTO13
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5/23/2026 10:26am

Buy a YZ and slap on green plastic. 

1
5
5/23/2026 11:53am
PTshox wrote:
So, 80 pages… no photos. Over a year. Does anyone really think this is good marketing? Good marketing should communicate to customer - this group-  what...

So, 80 pages… no photos. Over a year. Does anyone really think this is good marketing? Good marketing should communicate to customer - this group-  what the company actually will be doing – in a straight up way. Sure – if you want to get creative go ahead and use some chicks for eye ball… show side shots etc. We’ve all seen this. Get it. A little hype. no problem. But deliver. No games. 

 

However, what has happened thus far leads to distrust of the buyers if there is nothing delivered. And… it’s been way too long since the first message. “KAW You posted this add. yet to see anything”. Combine this with the Kaw team struggles on the factory side. History with Tomac, Jake and his comments. RV etc.… BTW I don’t blame the Chase situation 100% on KAW management. Imo he’s not going to be happy anywhere. He and his dad should buy their own bikes and start their own team. Be 100% responsible for their decisions and destiney. I think we all know how that works out – when there is no one left to blame. 

 

My point is something is wrong. There doesn’t seem to be any common sense with what’s taking place at KAW. And from my experience – there is most often ONE guy responsible.  Rules with an iron fist. No one likes them. And no one stands up to them either. Afraid for their jobs. 

 

That’s what I m seeing from the outside. Do we need another 80 pages of .. what if’s to prove it? It’s just messed up, a waste of all of our time… Someone needs to step up and punt that person like Vince Freese does in a LCQ!

 

Tiki wrote:

How many people DIDN'T buy a Kawasaki in hopes this was going to be released. Then just bought something else to settle with? 

bluesmoke wrote:
I'm holding off on a new woods bike purchase. If kawi no shows, then its off to Beta. I gotta see if they bring somethin to...

I'm holding off on a new woods bike purchase. If kawi no shows, then its off to Beta. I gotta see if they bring somethin to the table. Hope its not a steamy bowl of f@#&* all.

I’m getting a new woods bike this fall. If kawi ghosts us, Im going TM.

3
Andy7
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5/23/2026 11:57am
Tiki wrote:

How many people DIDN'T buy a Kawasaki in hopes this was going to be released. Then just bought something else to settle with? 

Gmyersdork wrote:

The way my local yamaha dealer has been selling yz 2t's, I'd say a lot

And I bet YZ 2 stroke are better than whatever they come up with. Tell me otherwise....

5
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theraptur712
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5/23/2026 12:21pm
  1. The check is in the mail.
  2. I won't c--m in your m-th.
  3. Kawasaki 2 smoke is soon.
3
4
indy rider
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5/23/2026 12:33pm
Tiki wrote:

How many people DIDN'T buy a Kawasaki in hopes this was going to be released. Then just bought something else to settle with? 

bluesmoke wrote:
I'm holding off on a new woods bike purchase. If kawi no shows, then its off to Beta. I gotta see if they bring somethin to...

I'm holding off on a new woods bike purchase. If kawi no shows, then its off to Beta. I gotta see if they bring somethin to the table. Hope its not a steamy bowl of f@#&* all.

I’m getting a new woods bike this fall. If kawi ghosts us, Im going TM.

On the TM, I advise testing one out before making a purchase. To put it nicely, they are very unique feeling. I prefer my Beta over their 300 by a huge margin.

2
BossWool2800
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5/23/2026 1:13pm Edited Date/Time 5/23/2026 1:13pm

Everyone knows it’s not gonna happen, but it’s fun to talk about anyway. Everyone loves 2-strokes. 😎

1
5
Tiki
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5/23/2026 2:16pm

The Beta's look nice. Perfect for Spodes like us. About as factory as you can get. 

2
agn5008
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5/23/2026 8:09pm
PTshox wrote:
So, 80 pages… no photos. Over a year. Does anyone really think this is good marketing? Good marketing should communicate to customer - this group-  what...

So, 80 pages… no photos. Over a year. Does anyone really think this is good marketing? Good marketing should communicate to customer - this group-  what the company actually will be doing – in a straight up way. Sure – if you want to get creative go ahead and use some chicks for eye ball… show side shots etc. We’ve all seen this. Get it. A little hype. no problem. But deliver. No games. 

 

However, what has happened thus far leads to distrust of the buyers if there is nothing delivered. And… it’s been way too long since the first message. “KAW You posted this add. yet to see anything”. Combine this with the Kaw team struggles on the factory side. History with Tomac, Jake and his comments. RV etc.… BTW I don’t blame the Chase situation 100% on KAW management. Imo he’s not going to be happy anywhere. He and his dad should buy their own bikes and start their own team. Be 100% responsible for their decisions and destiney. I think we all know how that works out – when there is no one left to blame. 

 

My point is something is wrong. There doesn’t seem to be any common sense with what’s taking place at KAW. And from my experience – there is most often ONE guy responsible.  Rules with an iron fist. No one likes them. And no one stands up to them either. Afraid for their jobs. 

 

That’s what I m seeing from the outside. Do we need another 80 pages of .. what if’s to prove it? It’s just messed up, a waste of all of our time… Someone needs to step up and punt that person like Vince Freese does in a LCQ!

 

Tiki wrote:

How many people DIDN'T buy a Kawasaki in hopes this was going to be released. Then just bought something else to settle with? 

bluesmoke wrote:
I'm holding off on a new woods bike purchase. If kawi no shows, then its off to Beta. I gotta see if they bring somethin to...

I'm holding off on a new woods bike purchase. If kawi no shows, then its off to Beta. I gotta see if they bring somethin to the table. Hope its not a steamy bowl of f@#&* all.

I just bought a beta after waiting on the Kawi release. I highly recommend just going that route. The Kawi more than likely won’t be as good anyways. Beta really makes awesome bikes. 

5
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