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Edited Date/Time
6/2/2026 7:43am
Finally that Kawi has unveiled the new 2 stroke will we see other OEMs follow? Rumors suggested Cody Webb was developing a new YZ with Yamaha. Suzuki previously flirted with the “prototype” aluminum frame RM that was making its way around SoCal back in 18’-19’ I believe? Would be killer to see TP199 on an RM again. I would assume we will never see Honda produce one ever again lol. Huge opportunity for Yamaha and Suzuki to get back in the game with updated smokers especially considering KTMs seemed to be demise. We will see!
If Kawasaki sells a ton of the new KX models, it will be an easier argument. Yamaha will have to see if the KX models steal customers away from their own 2-strokes; if so, they will probably do something. At the moment, Suzuki doesn't seem to have a game plan. I hope they will come out with something new, whatever it is.
The funny thing will be if Suzuki brings out a 2 stroke w e-start before the 4 strokes.
I'm sure CFMoto will have a KX knockoff before Suzuki ever drops a new RM.
Would it kill Honda to make a fucking 85?
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Seriously. Do something, anything, to get some younger kids on competitive Honda mini bikes. The 150f is cool conceptually but racing one of those against superminis is suicide.
I was texting with a couple of my riding buddies this morning about the new KX327. One has a YZ250 and the other a YZ250X. Both said they will be buying the new Kawasaki. It's everything else they were waiting for (larger displacement, e-start, 6 speed on the X). These guys are Japanese dieheards who won't buy anything but. I suspect there are a lot out there, and a lot who may come back home so to speak.
Time will tell, but I'd bet the farm Yamaha will be the next to step up.
Even on the new CRF450 line…they’ve got a “global environmental perspective” that they’re not letting go of.
No worries, with a screen-name like mine? This is an Easy Choice to make.
you Honda guys should just look at other options. There are a lot of them.
Honda will never ever built another 2 stroke, they never wanted to in the first place, the only reason they did was because 2 strokes started dominating.
Please please PLEASE
They won’t
Yamaha doesn't have a choice. They will have to do something. My guess is a traditional YZ300X based on the current bike with no counter balancer (sell it as lighter!) and an add on flywheel starter like the Panthera kits or first gen e-start Austrians.
If Honda does anything, and it won't be any two stroke, of any displacement, it would be an updated CRF150R to a 125R so it is legal in regular minibike classes (I think the four stroke limit is still 125?).
Suzy isn't doing jack squat. See the Grammar w/ Falcon thread in non-moto if this confuses you.
I think you’re right, Yamaha would be the first in line to follow Kawasaki if these things start flying off showroom floors. We’ll know Suzuki’s game plan within the coming weeks. (2027 RMZ450)
They sell plenty, just not to moto racers.
Its wheelie boys and farm kids riding in the woods, and the occasional idiot who thinks the 250/300f is too slow for them in the woods.
I would tend to agree. I don't know if that means an "all-new" YZ125 and 250, a revamped version of both, or a new model (300, 350) though.
From my time at Suzuki I would tend to think they are going to build an electric motorcycle before they ever do a 2-stroke. They probably already have a test model that they are sitting on until they think they can sell it. (That is to say, "when Honda starts selling theirs.")
Please no batteries and/or electric start! Keep the non-purists on four strokes.
C’mon Honda, you know you’d sell a plethora of CR500s.
Yamaha has their fuel-injected 2-stroke ready for enduro models. Im not sure if 350cc 2-strokes are much needed but kids need 85 and 125 before getting into big bikes. Could be last time get them our before E-bikes take over all future kids.
What are the chances of the AMA dropping their outdated 2 stroke displacement rule ?
Pit Row
I just hope that Yamaha doesn't drop the carbed YZ 250... but hey, I BET every single person must have said the same when FI 4 strokes were coming out. And now I wouldn't even think about getting a carbed 450.
Slim to none sadly… but would be badass to see these at some SX and outdoor rounds!
I'd keep a lookout in the coming weeks. The latest YZ trend carried from 06-21. Then we saw the 'X' models come in and sell like hot cakes. Then the face lift in '22 followed by a new 125 engine in '23. I agree there has been some speculation with CW2/KR557 rumblings on the YZ big bore talks (YZ300/YZ350F). I dunno if I'd sell the farm on a new YZ offroad drop in '27, but with the Beta 350RX and now the KX327X; I think it's a safe to say that discussion has already happened with their engineers and wouldn't be surprised if something dropped soon. If you ask me, I think we're prolly closer to seeing a YZ300 than another refinement of the YZ250X. The market is clearly showing demand for big bores, and Yamaha has the platform and rider feedback to make it happen if they choose to pull the trigger.
The difference is that FI and e-start were added to the 4Ts to address specific problems inherent to them with fueling and starting (re-starting?). Both added weight, complexity and cost.
A 2T doesn't have the same deficiencies, just a market that has shifted away from prioritizing simplicity, light-weight, reliability and lower cost for conveniences. 🙄
other OEMs were there 1st. YZ250X and 125X as examples. My 2002 Beta 300 has everything this new Kawi has except swap the TBI for automatic oil injection. I prefer the carb and not premixing in this trade off. Mine comes completely street legal ready too. Just add a mirror and get inspected and get your plate here in CO.
Disagree. If you ride remotely technical style riding on a 2-stroke, it’s a nightmare without e-start, and it’s really not that great without a wide ratio transmission. Electronic power valve and EFI have made the 2-strokes run so clean at all times now as well.
But in MX world all those things certainly aren’t as nice, still nice but not as nice haha.
Yep, I realize it makes it easier, that's why I used the term "conveniences". But the market seems more interested in those these days than it does in the philosophy that ruled the off-road world for decades - lighter, simpler, cheaper. But a lack of it doesn't spoil my ride if I have to kick my 2T on the side of a steep, slick hill after dumping it like trying to kick a 4T does in the same situation (I almost left a '98 YZ400F in the woods one day because of that exact scenario! 😄).
Like Andy7 was saying - he "wouldn't even think about getting a carbed 450", meaning it's a deal-breaker for him. I don't see that being the case where 2Ts are concerned.
But I probably have different priorities than a lot of the target market nowadays.
👍
Agree with the above. Surely with Sherco, Beta, TM, Fantic, Reiju, KTM/Husky/GasGas (will GG be mothballed soon, Husaberg style?), and now Kawi offering a variety of 300cc+ 6spd Off Road bikes, Yamaha is going to be forced to return serve with some sort of updated 2t to keep selling bikes in this class.
Yup hate them all you like they are not producing another 2 stroke, is what it is and plenty of other options out there
So what I’m hearing here is there’ll soon be some cheap YZ250s getting around. Cool!
Yeah there will be, mine will probably be one of them.
I bought a 2025 yz250x and I rekon its resale probably just tanked this morning.
If the Kawi is any good ill probably wait till the following years model to make sure any kinks have been ironed out. But ill definately be getting one. Im struggling to stop myself going straight to the dealer now and putting a deposit down.
The YZ looks pretty ancient all of a sudden. I only went Yamaha coz its its Japanese and I cant bring myself to go Euro even though I know their bikes would suit me more. A modern Jap enduro 300 is a dream come true.
I will be interesting to see how these sell after the hype has died down a couple of years
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