Kawasaki's Two-Stroke is Real, the KX327 is Here

6/17/2026 6:02am
The ambassadors are the first to get the bike. Somewhere said around September with the bike being available in October. I watched a ton of videos...

The ambassadors are the first to get the bike. Somewhere said around September with the bike being available in October. I watched a ton of videos so can’t recall which one said it or how reliable it is. From the rumor mill it sounds like rv2 will be the first and it will be some sort of sick video. 

I look forward to that one! 

6/17/2026 6:52am

I noticed on the new front fender there is small compartment on top (close to the number plate).  Anyone know what that may be for? 

soggy wrote:

I think I read the bike has GPS?

Ah, okay, that makes sense then. That must be where it goes.

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lumpy790
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6/17/2026 7:58am

Refresh my memory but why does a 2stroke need a counter balancer? I cant think of an 2st ever having it before.

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6/17/2026 8:03am
lumpy790 wrote:

Refresh my memory but why does a 2stroke need a counter balancer? I cant think of an 2st ever having it before.

Pretty much all of the Euro 2T 250cc+ have counterbalancer. KTM, Beta, Sherco, TM, etc.

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The Shop

ando
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6/17/2026 8:04am Edited Date/Time 6/17/2026 8:05am
The swingarm pivot and footpegs are higher than the old bike, the lower cradle is in a similar location relative to the swingarm pivot and footpegs...I...

The swingarm pivot and footpegs are higher than the old bike, the lower cradle is in a similar location relative to the swingarm pivot and footpegs...

image 3129

I guess riders are used to riding 4 strokes, which are heavier and have higher centers of gravity.

Right, and all that looks to have been dictated by the design of the chassis around the 4T engine. The SA pivot has to line up...

Right, and all that looks to have been dictated by the design of the chassis around the 4T engine. The SA pivot has to line up, CS position has to be similar, etc., all of which required the entire engine to be higher than if it had a chassis designed specifically for it. Like I said, I could be wrong, but I don't see another obvious explanation at the moment.

Curious to see what the reviews are like when it's ridden back-to-back with its competition. One of the things that sold me on getting a '17 300XC was how it felt like a 125 with a 300 engine when I rode a friend's. Ultra-light feel with open-class torque, none of the traditional big-bore heaviness was present - it was a real game-changer. 👍

Pop Shmoke wrote:
They released this image 

They released this image

IMG 5845 4.jpeg?VersionId=iwnkZcJUidb5Ilgvbp9JLG9CGcI3U

 

The only frame I’ve seen with that shape is the Cannondale 400.

IMG 6705 5

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6/17/2026 8:13am
lumpy790 wrote:

Refresh my memory but why does a 2stroke need a counter balancer? I cant think of an 2st ever having it before.

Ride a KTM with a counter balancer, then jump on any other two stroke without. It will feel like a bag of hammers. The difference is surprising.

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6/17/2026 8:17am
lumpy790 wrote:

Refresh my memory but why does a 2stroke need a counter balancer? I cant think of an 2st ever having it before.

They dont. It pretty much pulls all the power from the front side of the curve and doesn't add any to the right side.  

 

soggy
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6/17/2026 8:21am
lumpy790 wrote:

Refresh my memory but why does a 2stroke need a counter balancer? I cant think of an 2st ever having it before.

For the vibes duh

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4
6/17/2026 12:16pm

Anyone else struggling over which to get... X vs motocross.  I feel I could ride the moto version in the woods, but like all the extra protection the X has, and honestly the kickstand. Not sure I will like a super low first gear on a motocross track though. 

 

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1
6/17/2026 12:39pm

Best ever PR stunt would be to recreate that time from 2005 when Stewart came out and did a lap around Lorettas on the kx250. Think if he did that on the 327 it would be so awesome

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coopernicus
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6/17/2026 3:56pm Edited Date/Time 6/17/2026 3:58pm
lumpy790 wrote:

Refresh my memory but why does a 2stroke need a counter balancer? I cant think of an 2st ever having it before.

Makes for smoother power, less vibrations, and marketing feature. The original Gas Gas (not KTM owned) 250 from 1997 had one for some years.  You can see the bulge in the cases behind the upper right quadrant of the ignition cover. Interesting note: Gas Gas licensed their perimeter frame from Kawasaki!). I still regret selling this bike!

1997 GG 250 0
9
Village Idiot
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6/17/2026 4:06pm
lumpy790 wrote:

Refresh my memory but why does a 2stroke need a counter balancer? I cant think of an 2st ever having it before.

It's not a 2T thing, it's due to the imbalance that's inherent in a single-cylinder engine. 

They've just become more common in recent years in 2Ts.

I know I'd have welcomed one on a YZ490!  😃

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BossWool2800
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6/17/2026 4:28pm

They’re pretty light, maybe a 1-2lbs. Small price to pay for a smoother ride. I’ve never ridden with one but people swear by them. 

bodycast
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Monroe, NC, USA
6/17/2026 5:55pm

They’re pretty light, maybe a 1-2lbs. Small price to pay for a smoother ride. I’ve never ridden with one but people swear by them. 

Its an immediate noticeable feeling when going from one to the other.

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OldTech
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Decatur, AL, USA
6/17/2026 6:06pm
lumpy790 wrote:

Refresh my memory but why does a 2stroke need a counter balancer? I cant think of an 2st ever having it before.

It wasn't so bad with a steel frame but with aluminum it's great.

Zoom
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6/17/2026 7:25pm Edited Date/Time 6/18/2026 9:50am

Concerning the weight,  Kawasaki has not listed it yet. 

When will we see it at the tracks? If I was a betting man,  I would bet December. 

1
R66
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6/18/2026 7:43am

What does a counter balancer look like and how does it work?

mxrose3
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6/18/2026 8:39am Edited Date/Time 6/18/2026 8:44am
R66 wrote:

What does a counter balancer look like and how does it work?

it runs off the primary crank gear and has a weight on the end of it that acts against the forces of combustion with the crank.   It is similar to a small  flywheel weight in that it takes a lot of 'hit' out of an engine, but it does it at precise intervals.   Big bore 2 strokes need it most IMO.   In fact, when I ran the early YZ250F's, I would remove the counterbalancer to get a quicker revving engine.   Never felt any excess vibration afterwards.   Guys on 450's have tried removing theirs, but it did add extra vibration if the crank isn't perfectly balanced.

yz450 counterbalancer.jpg?VersionId=A.T5AqK7FT7At9QSq9j
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BossWool2800
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6/18/2026 8:47am Edited Date/Time 6/18/2026 8:59am

I could see combining this (counterbalancer) with a 9oz flywheel weight and that would be great bike.

The hop up for this bike is gonna be making it lighter. GNCC weapon.

TK40_FC
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6/18/2026 9:00am
Anyone else struggling over which to get... X vs motocross.  I feel I could ride the moto version in the woods, but like all the extra...

Anyone else struggling over which to get... X vs motocross.  I feel I could ride the moto version in the woods, but like all the extra protection the X has, and honestly the kickstand. Not sure I will like a super low first gear on a motocross track though. 

 

The X is a 6 speed... so really you can just use 2nd as your 1st gear and carry on from there. If you do venture out into the woods.. you've got the best of both. Thats probably how I would justify it anyway. 

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6/18/2026 9:08am

I’m still disgusted by the battery, electric start, and lack of a kicker. Does it come with a back canteen? 
 

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