Kawasaki is bringing the two stroke back!

KurtJ99
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CA US
5/23/2026 10:09pm Edited Date/Time 5/23/2026 10:10pm
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 bought a used CR250 and my friend bought a Beta RX350. If the Kawi was released I would have considered it. Hard to hang out for something not even knowing what it is exactly. 

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ShipLap
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5/23/2026 10:10pm
spy 0
1
5/24/2026 7:52am
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? 

KurtJ99 wrote:
I bought a used CR250 and my friend bought a Beta RX350. If the Kawi was released I would have considered it. Hard to hang out...

I bought a used CR250 and my friend bought a Beta RX350. If the Kawi was released I would have considered it. Hard to hang out for something not even knowing what it is exactly. 

Ive bought three new bikes in the time that has passed, a 250sx this past week. All three would have likely been a KX. I would have waited on the 250sx if there were at least a published release date... 

1
5/24/2026 7:59am
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? 

KurtJ99 wrote:
I bought a used CR250 and my friend bought a Beta RX350. If the Kawi was released I would have considered it. Hard to hang out...

I bought a used CR250 and my friend bought a Beta RX350. If the Kawi was released I would have considered it. Hard to hang out for something not even knowing what it is exactly. 

ChatGPT Image May 24%2C 2026%2C 07 56 05 AM
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25

The Shop

5/26/2026 1:37pm
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? 

KurtJ99 wrote:
I bought a used CR250 and my friend bought a Beta RX350. If the Kawi was released I would have considered it. Hard to hang out...

I bought a used CR250 and my friend bought a Beta RX350. If the Kawi was released I would have considered it. Hard to hang out for something not even knowing what it is exactly. 

ChatGPT Image May 24%2C 2026%2C 07 56 05 AM

Wow - I can use AI too....

1
5/26/2026 1:42pm
KurtJ99 wrote:
I bought a used CR250 and my friend bought a Beta RX350. If the Kawi was released I would have considered it. Hard to hang out...

I bought a used CR250 and my friend bought a Beta RX350. If the Kawi was released I would have considered it. Hard to hang out for something not even knowing what it is exactly. 

ChatGPT Image May 24%2C 2026%2C 07 56 05 AM

Wow - I can use AI too....

So can my 6 year old nephew, it’s so tiring. 

I miss the days when people would crudely photoshop a CR500 engine into a current gen CRF and it would be all the talk for a few weeks, even if they didn’t photoshop the 4 stroke dual mufflers out. 

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5/26/2026 1:48pm Edited Date/Time 5/26/2026 1:48pm
ChatGPT Image May 24%2C 2026%2C 07 56 05 AM

Wow - I can use AI too....

Rickyisms wrote:
So can my 6 year old nephew, it’s so tiring. I miss the days when people would crudely photoshop a CR500 engine into a current gen CRF...

So can my 6 year old nephew, it’s so tiring. 

I miss the days when people would crudely photoshop a CR500 engine into a current gen CRF and it would be all the talk for a few weeks, even if they didn’t photoshop the 4 stroke dual mufflers out. 

I remember in 1997 I photoshopped some Suz plastic on a YZ400 off the internet, printed that sucker out and had everybody in our riding group convinced....it was crude but so what the printer tech so it canceled each other out.

It is tiring, especially when guys just throw it out there with no context, assuming people will bite I guess?

1
69HemiGTX
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Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do KR
5/26/2026 6:49pm

I just received a comment on Facebook from someone whose profile says they're a Kawasaki district manager that simply said "You will be happy soon..."

🤞 Here's to hoping.

13
Andy7
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Fantasy
5/26/2026 7:06pm
69HemiGTX wrote:
I just received a comment on Facebook from someone whose profile says they're a Kawasaki district manager that simply said "You will be happy soon..."🤞 Here's...

I just received a comment on Facebook from someone whose profile says they're a Kawasaki district manager that simply said "You will be happy soon..."

🤞 Here's to hoping.

I (and a lot of people) are happy already, we ride YZ 250 2 strokes.

13
4
yamathumb
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Redding, CA US
5/26/2026 7:13pm

Have ridden a couple newer yz250. Motor was fine but the chassis felt small. Have not ridden one with the current body work.

nskerb
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Kelso, WA US
5/26/2026 7:18pm

Matthes just said “two weeks” on Twitter. Maybe true, maybe a shitpost, maybe he’s just being lied to. He seems to mostly tell the truth. But I won’t hold my breath.

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1
280driver
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VA US
5/26/2026 7:30pm

June 2nd

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1
dn315
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Allegany, NY US
5/26/2026 7:50pm
69HemiGTX wrote:
I just received a comment on Facebook from someone whose profile says they're a Kawasaki district manager that simply said "You will be happy soon..."🤞 Here's...

I just received a comment on Facebook from someone whose profile says they're a Kawasaki district manager that simply said "You will be happy soon..."

🤞 Here's to hoping.

June 2nd 

1
1
5/26/2026 7:53pm

I know a guy that rode the new Kawi and said it was a piece of shit.

But he said it will be in dealers June 1st

3
15
5/26/2026 8:23pm

I know a guy that rode the new Kawi and said it was a piece of shit.

But he said it will be in dealers June 1st

LOL

3
2
moto9
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Waimea, HI US
5/26/2026 9:54pm Edited Date/Time 5/26/2026 9:56pm

Doc wob did a video on an estart efi cr 500 that utlizes the new crf chassis and many of the 4 stroke engine parts.

All bolt together, no machining or welding required.

Now, the kit wasn't cheap, but if they did a 300 and or 350 kits for sx and hard enduro, the company could build kits for just about any manufacturer and this would open up a whole new market.

Imagine a modern cr, kx, rm 300 or 350 2 stroke kit with efi, estart, hydro clutch electric water pump....etc 

 

2
2
69HemiGTX
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5/27/2026 12:19am
moto9 wrote:
Doc wob did a video on an estart efi cr 500 that utlizes the new crf chassis and many of the 4 stroke engine parts.All bolt...

Doc wob did a video on an estart efi cr 500 that utlizes the new crf chassis and many of the 4 stroke engine parts.

All bolt together, no machining or welding required.

Now, the kit wasn't cheap, but if they did a 300 and or 350 kits for sx and hard enduro, the company could build kits for just about any manufacturer and this would open up a whole new market.

Imagine a modern cr, kx, rm 300 or 350 2 stroke kit with efi, estart, hydro clutch electric water pump....etc 

 

Honestly, out of those, an electric starter is a must (bad knees), but in addition, a counter balancer is high on my wish list.

2
bluesmoke
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Lakeworth, TX US
5/27/2026 8:34am
69HemiGTX wrote:
I just received a comment on Facebook from someone whose profile says they're a Kawasaki district manager that simply said "You will be happy soon..."🤞 Here's...

I just received a comment on Facebook from someone whose profile says they're a Kawasaki district manager that simply said "You will be happy soon..."

🤞 Here's to hoping.

Andy7 wrote:

I (and a lot of people) are happy already, we ride YZ 250 2 strokes.

Hey more 2 strokes the merrier!🙂

2
BoxcarWilly
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Thunder Bay, ON CA
5/27/2026 10:54am
Andy7 wrote:

I (and a lot of people) are happy already, we ride YZ 250 2 strokes.

I said it before, but a lot of people are going to be disappointed when the YZ250 is still a better bike. 

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Kelz87
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Fantasy
5/27/2026 11:06am
nskerb wrote:
Matthes just said “two weeks” on Twitter. Maybe true, maybe a shitpost, maybe he’s just being lied to. He seems to mostly tell the truth. But...

Matthes just said “two weeks” on Twitter. Maybe true, maybe a shitpost, maybe he’s just being lied to. He seems to mostly tell the truth. But I won’t hold my breath.

Wow, that’s only a week after the PulpMX app comes out next Friday! 

2
2
soggy
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5/27/2026 11:09am
Andy7 wrote:

I (and a lot of people) are happy already, we ride YZ 250 2 strokes.

I said it before, but a lot of people are going to be disappointed when the YZ250 is still a better bike. 

There will certainly be people that have that opinion, yes. 

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BoxcarWilly
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5/27/2026 11:30am
soggy wrote:

There will certainly be people that have that opinion, yes. 

It's better than most, if not all, 250 2ts on the market currently. Especially for MX. 

 

The 125 is THE best small bore. MX, woods or otherwise. 

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soggy
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5/27/2026 11:41am
soggy wrote:

There will certainly be people that have that opinion, yes. 

It's better than most, if not all, 250 2ts on the market currently. Especially for MX. 

 

The 125 is THE best small bore. MX, woods or otherwise. 

That is certainly an opinion. 

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2
5/27/2026 12:12pm
soggy wrote:

There will certainly be people that have that opinion, yes. 

It's better than most, if not all, 250 2ts on the market currently. Especially for MX. 

 

The 125 is THE best small bore. MX, woods or otherwise. 

What are you comparing it with?  KTM (obviously) what about Beta or TM?

The Yamerhammer got last place in this shootout:

https://motocrossactionmag.com/flashback-the-125-two-stroke-shootout-th…

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Andy7
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5/27/2026 12:48pm
bluesmoke wrote:

Hey more 2 strokes the merrier!🙂

Agree! But the Kawi will have a hard time beating the old trusty YZ. Yamaha was WAY WAY WAAAY ahead of its time when they introduced the 2005 bike. It might not be the fastest, lightest, best cornering, etc bike, but I have yet to find a better all around package. 

1
3
bodycast
Posts
331
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Location
Monroe, NC US
5/27/2026 12:55pm

Yz250 is a great bike and has stood the test of time.  But it objectively falls short of the modern 2stroke.

3
3
3strokemx
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Location
US
5/27/2026 1:03pm

Kawasaki might be having a hard time finding legit 2 stroke test riders to develop the bike........Coincidentally, Havent seen @profeshenal125 around VitalMX the last couple months.... then boom!  the bike is ready for a June release.    

If the KX has a double boost port or freestyle bars, we know who to thank.

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3
NickoBrap
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Somewhere, MI US
5/27/2026 1:49pm

I'm going to be seriously impressed if Kawi manages to get this thing to market without a single leaked image. Maybe they just get lost in the slopfest now? I would have bet on us seeing SOMETHING by now. 

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5/27/2026 1:54pm
NickoBrap wrote:
I'm going to be seriously impressed if Kawi manages to get this thing to market without a single leaked image. Maybe they just get lost in...

I'm going to be seriously impressed if Kawi manages to get this thing to market without a single leaked image. Maybe they just get lost in the slopfest now? I would have bet on us seeing SOMETHING by now. 

No spy photos is crazy.  If it’s true that they’ve been testing it for literally years now, and nobody leaked a single picture.  Damn!

12
5/27/2026 1:58pm

I think if you're hoping for a 202lb KX125/144 motocros bike in an aluminum chassis you're going to be let down. 

I think if you're interested in Euro5 compliant, 230lb, e-start, large displacement, injected, Enduro focused twoatrokes, you'll have a great way to spend $11,999.99 

 

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