Kawasaki is bringing the two stroke back!

bodycast
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7/24/2026 6:36pm Edited Date/Time 7/24/2026 6:37pm
agn5008 wrote:
IMG 1065 3.jpeg?VersionId=G5qOGNaCRqhHVPdsvpl
My beta with lights does everything, including MX, very well. 
yardsailor wrote:
What model Beta do your ride?Looking at Beta for my next ride.  Trails will be my main area of interest. I actually had Tom Morgan build...

What model Beta do your ride?

Looking at Beta for my next ride.  Trails will be my main area of interest. 

I actually had Tom Morgan build me a 327 Kawi in 2002. 

I still prefer the rpm range of 4-strokes.  
 

Man these modern big 2 strokes are the shit.  You just put that SOB in 4th in the woods and fly.  Tourqe for days.

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h20
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dn315
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7/28/2026 9:35am
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280driver
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7/28/2026 10:02am

Who in the hell would down vote this?

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The Shop

PRM31
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280driver wrote:

Who in the hell would down vote this?

Ban them!

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-MAVERICK-
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7/28/2026 10:05am Edited Date/Time 7/28/2026 10:07am

Not Kawasaki related, but 2-stroke related. French publication Motoverte asked some people about the return of the two stroke and here's what the KTM boss in France had to say. 

I highlighted an interesting part.

"We're one of the few manufacturers on the market to have always kept 2-stroke motocross bikes in our catalog. 4-strokes have gained market share because they're easier to ride, but technology has allowed us to smooth out the behavior of 2-stroke engines and broaden their power band, just like with 4-strokes. 2-strokes can be very powerful, but until now, you needed a certain skill level to get the most out of them.

Thanks to KTM's development, particularly in fuel injection, this goal has been achieved. 2-strokes are also making a comeback in motocross thanks to the new regulations regarding MX2 equivalencies, where 250cc 2-strokes are now accepted, and we're seeing 2-strokes outperforming 4-strokes of the same displacement in the European Championship, for example. 

There's also the financial aspect, which favors 2-strokes.  Purchase and maintenance costs are lower, and there's a greater tendency to want to tame a 250 2-stroke compared to a 250 4-stroke, which you'll want to boost, and naturally, it's less expensive. 

KTM is really working on 2-strokes for the future; we're testing new displacements, and it's likely that new models will be arriving soon. We're happy and motivated that new 2-strokes are coming to the market; it's always good to have competition to energize the sector, but it's not a revolution for KTM, which has never stopped working on this engine type. And if we're talking about enduro and children's motorcycles, 2-strokes still represent the vast majority of our sales. At KTM, we believe in 2-strokes!"

34
7/28/2026 10:26am
dn315 wrote:

Oh dang.. that looks and sounds amazing. I cannot wait!!

11
1
7/28/2026 10:28am
-MAVERICK- wrote:
Not Kawasaki related, but 2-stroke related. French publication Motoverte asked some people about the return of the two stroke and here's what the KTM boss in...

Not Kawasaki related, but 2-stroke related. French publication Motoverte asked some people about the return of the two stroke and here's what the KTM boss in France had to say. 

I highlighted an interesting part.

"We're one of the few manufacturers on the market to have always kept 2-stroke motocross bikes in our catalog. 4-strokes have gained market share because they're easier to ride, but technology has allowed us to smooth out the behavior of 2-stroke engines and broaden their power band, just like with 4-strokes. 2-strokes can be very powerful, but until now, you needed a certain skill level to get the most out of them.

Thanks to KTM's development, particularly in fuel injection, this goal has been achieved. 2-strokes are also making a comeback in motocross thanks to the new regulations regarding MX2 equivalencies, where 250cc 2-strokes are now accepted, and we're seeing 2-strokes outperforming 4-strokes of the same displacement in the European Championship, for example. 

There's also the financial aspect, which favors 2-strokes.  Purchase and maintenance costs are lower, and there's a greater tendency to want to tame a 250 2-stroke compared to a 250 4-stroke, which you'll want to boost, and naturally, it's less expensive. 

KTM is really working on 2-strokes for the future; we're testing new displacements, and it's likely that new models will be arriving soon. We're happy and motivated that new 2-strokes are coming to the market; it's always good to have competition to energize the sector, but it's not a revolution for KTM, which has never stopped working on this engine type. And if we're talking about enduro and children's motorcycles, 2-strokes still represent the vast majority of our sales. At KTM, we believe in 2-strokes!"

yo please make a separate thread for new KTM stuff, keep this for that beautiful 327 right above

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bodycast
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7/28/2026 12:26pm
-MAVERICK- wrote:
Not Kawasaki related, but 2-stroke related. French publication Motoverte asked some people about the return of the two stroke and here's what the KTM boss in...

Not Kawasaki related, but 2-stroke related. French publication Motoverte asked some people about the return of the two stroke and here's what the KTM boss in France had to say. 

I highlighted an interesting part.

"We're one of the few manufacturers on the market to have always kept 2-stroke motocross bikes in our catalog. 4-strokes have gained market share because they're easier to ride, but technology has allowed us to smooth out the behavior of 2-stroke engines and broaden their power band, just like with 4-strokes. 2-strokes can be very powerful, but until now, you needed a certain skill level to get the most out of them.

Thanks to KTM's development, particularly in fuel injection, this goal has been achieved. 2-strokes are also making a comeback in motocross thanks to the new regulations regarding MX2 equivalencies, where 250cc 2-strokes are now accepted, and we're seeing 2-strokes outperforming 4-strokes of the same displacement in the European Championship, for example. 

There's also the financial aspect, which favors 2-strokes.  Purchase and maintenance costs are lower, and there's a greater tendency to want to tame a 250 2-stroke compared to a 250 4-stroke, which you'll want to boost, and naturally, it's less expensive. 

KTM is really working on 2-strokes for the future; we're testing new displacements, and it's likely that new models will be arriving soon. We're happy and motivated that new 2-strokes are coming to the market; it's always good to have competition to energize the sector, but it's not a revolution for KTM, which has never stopped working on this engine type. And if we're talking about enduro and children's motorcycles, 2-strokes still represent the vast majority of our sales. At KTM, we believe in 2-strokes!"

yo please make a separate thread for new KTM stuff, keep this for that beautiful 327 right above

Ktms development kept the smokers alive.  Flame away but without them your option is the 20 year old yz.

No ktm, no 327.

26
dfoerster92
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7/28/2026 12:55pm

Damn that video got me excited, have a deposit on the mx version and it can't get here soon enough 

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280driver
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7/28/2026 2:10pm
280driver wrote:

Who in the hell would down vote this?

PRM31 wrote:

Ban them!

All the paint chip eating kids.

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BossWool2800
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7/28/2026 7:46pm
dn315 wrote:

Wow Badness!

Man, I don’t know if I want or need a big 2-stroke but Dang, Beta and Kawi. Geez, it’s not fair, all this temptation. 😬

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Mx391
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7/29/2026 5:11am

Can't wait to hear a Bills stinger tip on this thing

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bluesmoke
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7/29/2026 9:58am
-MAVERICK- wrote:
Not Kawasaki related, but 2-stroke related. French publication Motoverte asked some people about the return of the two stroke and here's what the KTM boss in...

Not Kawasaki related, but 2-stroke related. French publication Motoverte asked some people about the return of the two stroke and here's what the KTM boss in France had to say. 

I highlighted an interesting part.

"We're one of the few manufacturers on the market to have always kept 2-stroke motocross bikes in our catalog. 4-strokes have gained market share because they're easier to ride, but technology has allowed us to smooth out the behavior of 2-stroke engines and broaden their power band, just like with 4-strokes. 2-strokes can be very powerful, but until now, you needed a certain skill level to get the most out of them.

Thanks to KTM's development, particularly in fuel injection, this goal has been achieved. 2-strokes are also making a comeback in motocross thanks to the new regulations regarding MX2 equivalencies, where 250cc 2-strokes are now accepted, and we're seeing 2-strokes outperforming 4-strokes of the same displacement in the European Championship, for example. 

There's also the financial aspect, which favors 2-strokes.  Purchase and maintenance costs are lower, and there's a greater tendency to want to tame a 250 2-stroke compared to a 250 4-stroke, which you'll want to boost, and naturally, it's less expensive. 

KTM is really working on 2-strokes for the future; we're testing new displacements, and it's likely that new models will be arriving soon. We're happy and motivated that new 2-strokes are coming to the market; it's always good to have competition to energize the sector, but it's not a revolution for KTM, which has never stopped working on this engine type. And if we're talking about enduro and children's motorcycles, 2-strokes still represent the vast majority of our sales. At KTM, we believe in 2-strokes!"

The main reason I bought a KTMto begin with. Sure the YZ smoker is a great bike. KTM were always faithful to the 2 stroke riders and prefected fuel injection for them. I will always support KTM for not giving up on 2 strokes.

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BossWool2800
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7/29/2026 10:42am Edited Date/Time 7/29/2026 12:38pm
bluesmoke wrote:
The main reason I bought a KTMto begin with. Sure the YZ smoker is a great bike. KTM were always faithful to the 2 stroke riders...

The main reason I bought a KTMto begin with. Sure the YZ smoker is a great bike. KTM were always faithful to the 2 stroke riders and prefected fuel injection for them. I will always support KTM for not giving up on 2 strokes.

Yep. I wish KTM would’ve negotiated more with DC over allowing 150cc and 300cc 2strokes to compete. They remained oddly silent and let Honda set the rules. Water under the bridge though. 

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G-man
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7/29/2026 12:41pm Edited Date/Time 7/29/2026 12:42pm

Looks nice! Kawasaki is the only Japanese dirtbike I have never owned. Although I did have a KZ750 that was my first street bike and loved it.

If I was twenty years younger, I'd be seriously looking at this as my next bike.

1000017274
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BossWool2800
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7/29/2026 12:41pm Edited Date/Time 7/29/2026 12:42pm
bluesmoke wrote:
The main reason I bought a KTMto begin with. Sure the YZ smoker is a great bike. KTM were always faithful to the 2 stroke riders...

The main reason I bought a KTMto begin with. Sure the YZ smoker is a great bike. KTM were always faithful to the 2 stroke riders and prefected fuel injection for them. I will always support KTM for not giving up on 2 strokes.

The fi was a technological leap. However, the carbed KTMs were flat out beasts. Easily, the fastest, most advanced, even prior to fi. 

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agn5008
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7/29/2026 4:42pm
G-man wrote:
Looks nice! Kawasaki is the only Japanese dirtbike I have never owned. Although I did have a KZ750 that was my first street bike and loved...

Looks nice! Kawasaki is the only Japanese dirtbike I have never owned. Although I did have a KZ750 that was my first street bike and loved it.

If I was twenty years younger, I'd be seriously looking at this as my next bike.

1000017274

You’re never too old for a new 2 stroke! 

14
7/30/2026 12:00am

Where are all the “bike doesn’t exist” and “those photos are AI generated” people are now?

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G-man
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7/30/2026 12:06am Edited Date/Time 7/30/2026 12:09am

I'll be 68 in 3 days and no longer race so I don't need a true motocross weapon. But I did purchase this a few months ago with10 hrs on her. Only got to ride it a couple times and it seems to do everything really good. 😎

1000017294

 

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kiwifan
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7/30/2026 12:13am
bluesmoke wrote:
The main reason I bought a KTMto begin with. Sure the YZ smoker is a great bike. KTM were always faithful to the 2 stroke riders...

The main reason I bought a KTMto begin with. Sure the YZ smoker is a great bike. KTM were always faithful to the 2 stroke riders and prefected fuel injection for them. I will always support KTM for not giving up on 2 strokes.

Yep. I wish KTM would’ve negotiated more with DC over allowing 150cc and 300cc 2strokes to compete. They remained oddly silent and let Honda set the...

Yep. I wish KTM would’ve negotiated more with DC over allowing 150cc and 300cc 2strokes to compete. They remained oddly silent and let Honda set the rules. Water under the bridge though. 

All manufacturers agreed to the rules not just Honda, they all could have not agreed (except Honda) but they did. And Yamaha produced the upset first with the 400. 
Did the new rules suit Hondas thing about 4 strokes? Yes they did. 

7/30/2026 1:25am

No way Kawasaki actually produces this motorbike. They just happened to introduce it now to take your mind off of the Chase Sexton debacle.

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3strokemx
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7/30/2026 5:20am
TheMilkman wrote:

Where are all the “bike doesn’t exist” and “those photos are AI generated” people are now?

Still here, changed my view when Kawasaki announced the new model release.  Prior to that there was no confirmation from the manufacturer, only speculation and unverifiable claims from the dark corners of the internet.  

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PRM31
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7/30/2026 5:24am

Does anyone know anything about the KX2 Rideology app? Reads like it does laptimes. Does not sound like you can make map changes on the app, just the two options on the button. Has this app been out or is it new? The CUO with lap times is one of my favorite features on my KTM.

OldTech
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7/30/2026 5:27am
TheMilkman wrote:

Where are all the “bike doesn’t exist” and “those photos are AI generated” people are now?

They work at my local Kawasaki dealership 😒

4
7/30/2026 6:04am
PRM31 wrote:
Does anyone know anything about the KX2 Rideology app? Reads like it does laptimes. Does not sound like you can make map changes on the app...

Does anyone know anything about the KX2 Rideology app? Reads like it does laptimes. Does not sound like you can make map changes on the app, just the two options on the button. Has this app been out or is it new? The CUO with lap times is one of my favorite features on my KTM.

I got this from the Kawasaki USA website:

Kawasaki’s RIDEOLOGY THE APP KX2 puts new functions, enhanced tuning capabilities and more information than ever before in the palm of your hand. This new app (not an update of the previous version) utilizes a connection with a built-in GPS unit to enable additional Trip Log capabilities for a next-level experience that can help sharpen lap times and fine-tune performance of compatible KX motorcycles. 


RIDEOLOGY THE APP KX™2 offers an intuitive interface that enables riders to program the functions accessed through the handlebar buttons, such as Traction Control, Engine Maps and Launch Control. Engine tuning begins with riders selecting between 5 preset maps. For advanced tuning, each map can be further edited by the rider. Traction Control and Launch Control can also be preselected and tuned in the app, so riders can easily access these modes with the push of a button on the track. 
 

Through the added input of a GPS unit located in the front fender, RIDEOLOGY THE APP KX™2 features Trip Log functions that allow riders to create track maps and analyze performance. The app also tracks running data allowing riders to review riding performance including gear position, engine RPM, and throttle position. A real-time monitoring function also allows these metrics to be viewed in the app, along with coolant temperature, intake temperature, battery voltage and preset modes.  
 

An hour-meter function is linked to the ECU for handy maintenance reminders, and a new Information Guide is readily available for advice about engine map selection and suspension setup.  
 

RIDEOLOGY THE APP KX™2 takes tuning and control to the next level. With an intuitive interface and the in-app Information Guide, it’s more possible than ever to fine-tune your KX motorcycle and sharpen your lap times. 

 

 


 

 

5
Snapper
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7/30/2026 6:07am

No way Kawasaki actually produces this motorbike. They just happened to introduce it now to take your mind off of the Chase Sexton debacle.

Nailed it...

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agn5008
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7/30/2026 2:01pm

So close to 100 pages… 

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1
7/30/2026 7:03pm
PRM31 wrote:
Does anyone know anything about the KX2 Rideology app? Reads like it does laptimes. Does not sound like you can make map changes on the app...

Does anyone know anything about the KX2 Rideology app? Reads like it does laptimes. Does not sound like you can make map changes on the app, just the two options on the button. Has this app been out or is it new? The CUO with lap times is one of my favorite features on my KTM.

I got this from the Kawasaki USA website:Kawasaki’s RIDEOLOGY THE APP KX2 puts new functions, enhanced tuning capabilities and more information than ever before in the...

I got this from the Kawasaki USA website:

Kawasaki’s RIDEOLOGY THE APP KX2 puts new functions, enhanced tuning capabilities and more information than ever before in the palm of your hand. This new app (not an update of the previous version) utilizes a connection with a built-in GPS unit to enable additional Trip Log capabilities for a next-level experience that can help sharpen lap times and fine-tune performance of compatible KX motorcycles. 


RIDEOLOGY THE APP KX™2 offers an intuitive interface that enables riders to program the functions accessed through the handlebar buttons, such as Traction Control, Engine Maps and Launch Control. Engine tuning begins with riders selecting between 5 preset maps. For advanced tuning, each map can be further edited by the rider. Traction Control and Launch Control can also be preselected and tuned in the app, so riders can easily access these modes with the push of a button on the track. 
 

Through the added input of a GPS unit located in the front fender, RIDEOLOGY THE APP KX™2 features Trip Log functions that allow riders to create track maps and analyze performance. The app also tracks running data allowing riders to review riding performance including gear position, engine RPM, and throttle position. A real-time monitoring function also allows these metrics to be viewed in the app, along with coolant temperature, intake temperature, battery voltage and preset modes.  
 

An hour-meter function is linked to the ECU for handy maintenance reminders, and a new Information Guide is readily available for advice about engine map selection and suspension setup.  
 

RIDEOLOGY THE APP KX™2 takes tuning and control to the next level. With an intuitive interface and the in-app Information Guide, it’s more possible than ever to fine-tune your KX motorcycle and sharpen your lap times. 

 

 


 

 

That’s about perfect to me. 

2

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