Kawasaki is bringing the two stroke back!

5/28/2026 7:13am
Exactly - I think sometimes those "spy" photos are really planned leaks to continue to keep interest up, but considering all we have is that one...

Exactly - I think sometimes those "spy" photos are really planned leaks to continue to keep interest up, but considering all we have is that one BS 10 second add 1+ year ago, my money is on yeah they had probably planned something, they likely had a operational prototype at one point in time (which would explain some industry insiders claiming they've seen it) but leads me to believe the development was stopped before it was moved from prototype -> pre-production.  I think the pre-production is where you typically see "spy" photos so you are not looking at some hoopty off color frankestein prototype.

My money is on we'll never hear a thing about it again.

Dude all you idiots saying that we’ll never see it are retarded… It’s confirmed it’s coming stop being so negative 

3strokemx wrote:

Awesome! Where is it confirmed? 

Literally by dozens of people AC, Pulp, RV, Donn Maeda, Broc Tickle. Listen to the podcasts and people in the industry. Steve has seen pics of it. Stew Baylor has tested it etc. 

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280driver
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5/28/2026 7:36am

Watch the end of the Vital ‘26 KX85/112 test.  ML confirms (sorta) that the other Kawi 2-strokes are coming in June.

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GPrider
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5/28/2026 7:49am
Literally by dozens of people AC, Pulp, RV, Donn Maeda, Broc Tickle. Listen to the podcasts and people in the industry. Steve has seen pics of...

Literally by dozens of people AC, Pulp, RV, Donn Maeda, Broc Tickle. Listen to the podcasts and people in the industry. Steve has seen pics of it. Stew Baylor has tested it etc. 

exactly! some people just cant believe anything without a picture. I guess all the guys you listed are liars and just make shit up. 

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1
dn315
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5/28/2026 7:50am

I keep hearing June 2nd. ML says early June so I’m guessing no later than June 11th for the Kawasaki Embargo 

The Shop

5/28/2026 8:03am
yardsailor wrote:
I grew up  a Kawi fan/rider. But, why would they release this news of a 2 stroke so prematurely? Back when this news was released, Ducati and Triumph...

I grew up  a Kawi fan/rider. 
But, why would they release this news of a 2 stroke so prematurely? 

Back when this news was released, Ducati and Triumph were not even considering designing a mx bike.  

I can assure you Ducati and Triumph have been working on this for years. If you think they just magically sh!t out bikes in a year...

I can assure you Ducati and Triumph have been working on this for years. If you think they just magically sh!t out bikes in a year and a half then you’re an idiot. 

No - but they also didn't throw a teaser out that far in advance, they have been communicative and had 'spy' photos well in advance of it's commercial release, you know, like a normal manuf.

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1
5/28/2026 8:06am

Dude all you idiots saying that we’ll never see it are retarded… It’s confirmed it’s coming stop being so negative 

3strokemx wrote:

Awesome! Where is it confirmed? 

Literally by dozens of people AC, Pulp, RV, Donn Maeda, Broc Tickle. Listen to the podcasts and people in the industry. Steve has seen pics of...

Literally by dozens of people AC, Pulp, RV, Donn Maeda, Broc Tickle. Listen to the podcasts and people in the industry. Steve has seen pics of it. Stew Baylor has tested it etc. 

I'm still pessimistic - but even if that were all true, doesn't mean that something hasn't changed in the development cycle that changed the business plan.  Obviously none of those dudes know if something has changed and if they did, they wouldn't be allowed to tell the media it's not a viable bike anymore.

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3strokemx
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5/28/2026 8:10am Edited Date/Time 5/28/2026 8:11am

Dude all you idiots saying that we’ll never see it are retarded… It’s confirmed it’s coming stop being so negative 

3strokemx wrote:

Awesome! Where is it confirmed? 

Literally by dozens of people AC, Pulp, RV, Donn Maeda, Broc Tickle. Listen to the podcasts and people in the industry. Steve has seen pics of...

Literally by dozens of people AC, Pulp, RV, Donn Maeda, Broc Tickle. Listen to the podcasts and people in the industry. Steve has seen pics of it. Stew Baylor has tested it etc. 

What displacement did they say it would be? and did they give a production date?

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Gmyersdork
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5/28/2026 9:31am Edited Date/Time 5/28/2026 9:32am
aeffertz wrote:

I hate to be that guy, but I had to go to a wedding and so I missed the reveal. Was it a KX or nah?

No one knows, it was the sound of a 2 stroke.

Notice the post date. 😀 1/28/2025

1000001050.jpg?VersionId=faUMZPQH5Ky.beQ9UqKp1Anr.gk
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NickoBrap
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5/28/2026 10:00am

Kawasaki is actually releasing a 6 stroke dirtbike in collaboration with Porsche that's also a hybrid and weighs 600lbs dry.

1000010561.jpg?VersionId=i3s90koNwryZW2lU9mbSmaGjPkIdJN
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5/28/2026 10:38am

Since we're on page 86, here is the all new '86 KX125, KX250 and KX500.  The 125 was the first to see rising rate, bottom mounted linkage. The 250 and 500 of the same year still had the old dog-bone style linkage used through the early to mid 80s. 

All three bikes got a rear disc brake for the first time. 

s-86kx12586kx2450.jpg?VersionId=5viE zjP1986-kawasak-kx500.jpg?VersionId=gt2Qt4QX3l4 JKlCL0
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bodycast
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5/28/2026 10:45am

All jokes aside, I hope that kawi has a serious competitor to the ktm 2 strokes.  The betas are nice, been on a few.  The yzs are sweet, had 2 of them in the past 5 years.  With that said the tbi 250xc I own and other tbi models i have spent time on are the absolute tits and nothing would be better than another big manufacturer producing a serious competitor to the ktm line of 2 strokes.  The 4strokes are excellent bikes as well across the board but 2stroke performance especially in the woods for us mortals cannot be touched.

 

This is a great thing for us riders.  Imagine 250 and 300 2strokes just keep getting better.  I already cant see my self going back 4 stroke.  

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ML512
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5/28/2026 11:01am
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!

Exactly - I think sometimes those "spy" photos are really planned leaks to continue to keep interest up, but considering all we have is that one...

Exactly - I think sometimes those "spy" photos are really planned leaks to continue to keep interest up, but considering all we have is that one BS 10 second add 1+ year ago, my money is on yeah they had probably planned something, they likely had a operational prototype at one point in time (which would explain some industry insiders claiming they've seen it) but leads me to believe the development was stopped before it was moved from prototype -> pre-production.  I think the pre-production is where you typically see "spy" photos so you are not looking at some hoopty off color frankestein prototype.

My money is on we'll never hear a thing about it again.

We’re about a week away.

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sumdood
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5/28/2026 11:10am
IMG 3667 4.jpeg?VersionId=mkZMALDEJ66hv
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5/28/2026 11:25am

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!

Exactly - I think sometimes those "spy" photos are really planned leaks to continue to keep interest up, but considering all we have is that one...

Exactly - I think sometimes those "spy" photos are really planned leaks to continue to keep interest up, but considering all we have is that one BS 10 second add 1+ year ago, my money is on yeah they had probably planned something, they likely had a operational prototype at one point in time (which would explain some industry insiders claiming they've seen it) but leads me to believe the development was stopped before it was moved from prototype -> pre-production.  I think the pre-production is where you typically see "spy" photos so you are not looking at some hoopty off color frankestein prototype.

My money is on we'll never hear a thing about it again.

ML512 wrote:

We’re about a week away.

"about" a week away from what?  Them announcing they are developing one or getting some specs or seeing some photos?  Surely once (or if) that is dropped we are a long way from seeing an actual production bike.

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5/28/2026 11:28am Edited Date/Time 5/28/2026 11:30am
bodycast wrote:
All jokes aside, I hope that kawi has a serious competitor to the ktm 2 strokes.  The betas are nice, been on a few.  The yzs...

All jokes aside, I hope that kawi has a serious competitor to the ktm 2 strokes.  The betas are nice, been on a few.  The yzs are sweet, had 2 of them in the past 5 years.  With that said the tbi 250xc I own and other tbi models i have spent time on are the absolute tits and nothing would be better than another big manufacturer producing a serious competitor to the ktm line of 2 strokes.  The 4strokes are excellent bikes as well across the board but 2stroke performance especially in the woods for us mortals cannot be touched.

 

This is a great thing for us riders.  Imagine 250 and 300 2strokes just keep getting better.  I already cant see my self going back 4 stroke.  

I think for most guys a proper "enduro" 4T is easier to ride in the woods than the majority of 2T's.  Of course "ride in the woods" has different meanings.  Most 4T's get a bad rap in the woods because guys equate a 4T with a MX bike, there are lots of true enduro 4T's that lug, don't flame out and don't overheat....like the 450 XCFW, EXCF (once tuned), WR's, etc....excellent bikes in the nasty stuff, hold their lines better than 2T, require less shifting, get better MPG, list goes on.

It's a travesty that the likes of Honda don't have a XR250/400 equivalent these days which is a more trail than enduro, but is the bike many guys would be very happy on in the woods.

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-MAVERICK-
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5/28/2026 12:08pm

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!

Exactly - I think sometimes those "spy" photos are really planned leaks to continue to keep interest up, but considering all we have is that one...

Exactly - I think sometimes those "spy" photos are really planned leaks to continue to keep interest up, but considering all we have is that one BS 10 second add 1+ year ago, my money is on yeah they had probably planned something, they likely had a operational prototype at one point in time (which would explain some industry insiders claiming they've seen it) but leads me to believe the development was stopped before it was moved from prototype -> pre-production.  I think the pre-production is where you typically see "spy" photos so you are not looking at some hoopty off color frankestein prototype.

My money is on we'll never hear a thing about it again.

GrapeApe wrote:

Why do you hate money?

It's a crime? 😎

gefelipe
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5/28/2026 12:18pm

Not so bad chatgptfile 0000000095247246ab0f8a7e72a8697e.png?VersionId=sN

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Gmyersdork
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5/28/2026 12:23pm
"about" a week away from what?  Them announcing they are developing one or getting some specs or seeing some photos?  Surely once (or if) that is...

"about" a week away from what?  Them announcing they are developing one or getting some specs or seeing some photos?  Surely once (or if) that is dropped we are a long way from seeing an actual production bike.

Week away from some kawy engineer posting a pic of all his fellow engineers sitting around the lunch table looking at this thread laughing they're asses off

3
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soggy
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5/28/2026 12:25pm
gefelipe wrote:
Not so bad chatgpt

Not so bad chatgptfile 0000000095247246ab0f8a7e72a8697e.png?VersionId=sN

This is just an 03-07 with a restyle kit. Bad GPT, bad. 

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3
5/28/2026 12:44pm
"about" a week away from what?  Them announcing they are developing one or getting some specs or seeing some photos?  Surely once (or if) that is...

"about" a week away from what?  Them announcing they are developing one or getting some specs or seeing some photos?  Surely once (or if) that is dropped we are a long way from seeing an actual production bike.

Gmyersdork wrote:
Week away from some kawy engineer posting a pic of all his fellow engineers sitting around the lunch table looking at this thread laughing they're asses...

Week away from some kawy engineer posting a pic of all his fellow engineers sitting around the lunch table looking at this thread laughing they're asses off

image 3101
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12
5/28/2026 12:53pm

please stop with AI slop its exhausting 

26
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Gravel
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5/28/2026 1:50pm
Exactly - I think sometimes those "spy" photos are really planned leaks to continue to keep interest up, but considering all we have is that one...

Exactly - I think sometimes those "spy" photos are really planned leaks to continue to keep interest up, but considering all we have is that one BS 10 second add 1+ year ago, my money is on yeah they had probably planned something, they likely had a operational prototype at one point in time (which would explain some industry insiders claiming they've seen it) but leads me to believe the development was stopped before it was moved from prototype -> pre-production.  I think the pre-production is where you typically see "spy" photos so you are not looking at some hoopty off color frankestein prototype.

My money is on we'll never hear a thing about it again.

ML512 wrote:

We’re about a week away.

"about" a week away from what?  Them announcing they are developing one or getting some specs or seeing some photos?  Surely once (or if) that is...

"about" a week away from what?  Them announcing they are developing one or getting some specs or seeing some photos?  Surely once (or if) that is dropped we are a long way from seeing an actual production bike.

Don’t make ML regret posting very interesting stuff..

Just accept it as a possible unverified potential 3rd party hearsay rumor and leave it alone.. 

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GrapeApe
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5/28/2026 1:58pm
3strokemx wrote:

Awesome! Where is it confirmed? 

Literally by dozens of people AC, Pulp, RV, Donn Maeda, Broc Tickle. Listen to the podcasts and people in the industry. Steve has seen pics of...

Literally by dozens of people AC, Pulp, RV, Donn Maeda, Broc Tickle. Listen to the podcasts and people in the industry. Steve has seen pics of it. Stew Baylor has tested it etc. 

3strokemx wrote:

What displacement did they say it would be? and did they give a production date?

If we just admit this is a hoax will you stop being an insufferable pain in the ass until the end of next week? Big ask, I know.

13
eeazye
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Akron, OH US
5/28/2026 2:14pm
"about" a week away from what?  Them announcing they are developing one or getting some specs or seeing some photos?  Surely once (or if) that is...

"about" a week away from what?  Them announcing they are developing one or getting some specs or seeing some photos?  Surely once (or if) that is dropped we are a long way from seeing an actual production bike.

Gmyersdork wrote:
Week away from some kawy engineer posting a pic of all his fellow engineers sitting around the lunch table looking at this thread laughing they're asses...

Week away from some kawy engineer posting a pic of all his fellow engineers sitting around the lunch table looking at this thread laughing they're asses off

image 3101

“Fellas, is a frog’s ass water tight?”

2
mitch199
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AU
5/28/2026 2:26pm
bodycast wrote:
All jokes aside, I hope that kawi has a serious competitor to the ktm 2 strokes.  The betas are nice, been on a few.  The yzs...

All jokes aside, I hope that kawi has a serious competitor to the ktm 2 strokes.  The betas are nice, been on a few.  The yzs are sweet, had 2 of them in the past 5 years.  With that said the tbi 250xc I own and other tbi models i have spent time on are the absolute tits and nothing would be better than another big manufacturer producing a serious competitor to the ktm line of 2 strokes.  The 4strokes are excellent bikes as well across the board but 2stroke performance especially in the woods for us mortals cannot be touched.

 

This is a great thing for us riders.  Imagine 250 and 300 2strokes just keep getting better.  I already cant see my self going back 4 stroke.  

Keeping this thread ‘off track’ for another week… I’ve been thinking of getting a new TBi 300. Raced Rd 2 of Aust Hard Enduro champs this weekend. 2 x TBi mounted bikes died randomly on the line in front of me, main race 7:30am Sunday AM. Quite tense! Those guys were not happy - no kickstart meant push starting like a madman, eventually pulling out at the flag drop… my carb + optional kickstart Beta 300 sure felt good in that moment! 
That new CRF looks sick. Nearly go time for the green bikes…

2
3strokemx
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US
5/28/2026 3:17pm
Literally by dozens of people AC, Pulp, RV, Donn Maeda, Broc Tickle. Listen to the podcasts and people in the industry. Steve has seen pics of...

Literally by dozens of people AC, Pulp, RV, Donn Maeda, Broc Tickle. Listen to the podcasts and people in the industry. Steve has seen pics of it. Stew Baylor has tested it etc. 

3strokemx wrote:

What displacement did they say it would be? and did they give a production date?

GrapeApe wrote:
If we just admit this is a hoax will you stop being an insufferable pain in the ass until the end of next week? Big ask...

If we just admit this is a hoax will you stop being an insufferable pain in the ass until the end of next week? Big ask, I know.

If anyone can share a credible source with confirmed displacement and release date; then I'll mute myself for a month.

 

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Gmyersdork
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5/28/2026 4:12pm

please stop with AI slop its exhausting 

You have to admit, that's F-ing funny

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Beta480RX
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5/28/2026 4:28pm

How about everyone that has to have photos, dates, first born blood sample, SSNs of test riders, etc... just stay away from this thread until you see the photo/release info on the home page?

There WILL be a KX 2 stroke before there is an e-start RMZ in showrooms.

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3strokemx
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US
5/28/2026 4:37pm
Beta480RX wrote:
How about everyone that has to have photos, dates, first born blood sample, SSNs of test riders, etc... just stay away from this thread until you...

How about everyone that has to have photos, dates, first born blood sample, SSNs of test riders, etc... just stay away from this thread until you see the photo/release info on the home page?

There WILL be a KX 2 stroke before there is an e-start RMZ in showrooms.

Photos, dates, first born, blood sample........of what?  When did Kawasaki announce they were making a new 2 stroke? 

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