Kawasaki is bringing the two stroke back!

3strokemx
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8/6/2026 5:15am
sh274s wrote:

I thought you were deleting your account...

Why did you think that?

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agn5008
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8/6/2026 8:38am
sh274s wrote:

I thought you were deleting your account...

3strokemx wrote:

Why did you think that?

You’re about the only one here who seems confused by that question. 

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3strokemx
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8/6/2026 8:46am
agn5008 wrote:

You’re about the only one here who seems confused by that question. 

Please enlighten me. 

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agn5008
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8/6/2026 8:57am
agn5008 wrote:

You’re about the only one here who seems confused by that question. 

3strokemx wrote:

Please enlighten me. 

You continuously ask the same thing, even though we’ve already shown proof where you said it. 

3

The Shop

3strokemx
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8/6/2026 10:04am
agn5008 wrote:

You continuously ask the same thing, even though we’ve already shown proof where you said it. 

Proof of what???

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8/6/2026 10:43am
3strokemx wrote:
There is a large population that says they love 2 strokes but they only want one if it promises the ride characteristics and conveniences of a...

There is a large population that says they love 2 strokes but they only want one if it promises the ride characteristics and conveniences of a modern 4 stroke. 


 

Kawasaki must think they are there and will buy the bike.

826 wrote:
They didn't build this bike for motocross racers, they built it for off road riders and racers.  I'd guess that is a larger market than folks...

They didn't build this bike for motocross racers, they built it for off road riders and racers.  I'd guess that is a larger market than folks who buy bikes to only ride and race on moto tracks.

According to Google the 300 2 stroke is KTMs biggest selling model.

They are offering MX and off-road versions of the bike. Different transmission gears and tuning. They are making a motocross version for people who mostly only ride motocross. 

They are not aiming this as Pro AMA racing as the bike would not be legal there (yet, who knows maybe the rules change)

This bike is 100% legal in Amatuer AMA racing, for the 450 class. 

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826
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8/6/2026 11:31am
They are offering MX and off-road versions of the bike. Different transmission gears and tuning. They are making a motocross version for people who mostly only...

They are offering MX and off-road versions of the bike. Different transmission gears and tuning. They are making a motocross version for people who mostly only ride motocross. 

They are not aiming this as Pro AMA racing as the bike would not be legal there (yet, who knows maybe the rules change)

This bike is 100% legal in Amatuer AMA racing, for the 450 class. 

I'm aware, but the moto version is just a convenient spin off of the off road version.  They definitely did not put in the R&D money for this with the moto version as the priority.

Sales numbers for the X will be way more than for the moto version.

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bluesmoke
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8/6/2026 12:22pm

Haha, it’s a 480RX. 

Beta480RX wrote:
THIS is a 480RX. Bloss Replica #6/10, 480RE cylinder, Wössner high comp piston.Will be putting 6th gear in it after I race Laughlin in October. Using...
1000016536

THIS is a 480RX. Bloss Replica #6/10, 480RE cylinder, Wössner high comp piston.

Will be putting 6th gear in it after I race Laughlin in October. Using my 480RE\RX hybrid for Vegas to Reno next week.

Ohh, I saw the 4stroke on their website. I think I posted a 480RR. Wow, that bike is sick! Nice 👍

I was wondering what ya meant. I had to go back and look at the picture again make sure I wasnt seeing things!🙂

1
8/6/2026 12:25pm
They are offering MX and off-road versions of the bike. Different transmission gears and tuning. They are making a motocross version for people who mostly only...

They are offering MX and off-road versions of the bike. Different transmission gears and tuning. They are making a motocross version for people who mostly only ride motocross. 

They are not aiming this as Pro AMA racing as the bike would not be legal there (yet, who knows maybe the rules change)

This bike is 100% legal in Amatuer AMA racing, for the 450 class. 

826 wrote:
I'm aware, but the moto version is just a convenient spin off of the off road version.  They definitely did not put in the R&D money...

I'm aware, but the moto version is just a convenient spin off of the off road version.  They definitely did not put in the R&D money for this with the moto version as the priority.

Sales numbers for the X will be way more than for the moto version.

The fact that Kawasaki went to the trouble of making a completly different transmission for the X shows how committed they are to both bikes. They could have slapped an 18 on the back, fitted a kickstand and called it good like the Yamaha X models. 

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3strokemx
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8/6/2026 12:26pm
They are offering MX and off-road versions of the bike. Different transmission gears and tuning. They are making a motocross version for people who mostly only...

They are offering MX and off-road versions of the bike. Different transmission gears and tuning. They are making a motocross version for people who mostly only ride motocross. 

They are not aiming this as Pro AMA racing as the bike would not be legal there (yet, who knows maybe the rules change)

This bike is 100% legal in Amatuer AMA racing, for the 450 class. 

826 wrote:
I'm aware, but the moto version is just a convenient spin off of the off road version.  They definitely did not put in the R&D money...

I'm aware, but the moto version is just a convenient spin off of the off road version.  They definitely did not put in the R&D money for this with the moto version as the priority.

Sales numbers for the X will be way more than for the moto version.

The fact that Kawasaki went to the trouble of making a completly different transmission for the X shows how committed they are to both bikes. They...

The fact that Kawasaki went to the trouble of making a completly different transmission for the X shows how committed they are to both bikes. They could have slapped an 18 on the back, fitted a kickstand and called it good like the Yamaha X models. 

FYI The YZ and the YZ-X have different transmissions.

1
10
8/6/2026 12:44pm

The YZ125 and YZ125X share the identical transmission

 

826
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8/6/2026 12:46pm
The fact that Kawasaki went to the trouble of making a completly different transmission for the X shows how committed they are to both bikes. They...

The fact that Kawasaki went to the trouble of making a completly different transmission for the X shows how committed they are to both bikes. They could have slapped an 18 on the back, fitted a kickstand and called it good like the Yamaha X models. 

Apples to oranges comparison. Yamaha took a bike that was developed for moto 30 years ago and tried to appease the off road crowd with it. 

Kawasaki developed this bike for the off road crowd and the moto version is a convenient spin off. 

The market for 300 2 strokes is massive and it isn’t for moto riders. That’s the whole point I’ve been trying to make. 

Bad ass that they are making 2 strokes again either way! 

 I have 3 riding buddies that already have deposits in for these. 

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3strokemx
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8/6/2026 1:03pm

The YZ125 and YZ125X share the identical transmission

 

Oh we're talking 125's now, my bad. 

1
11
8/6/2026 1:13pm

The YZ125 and YZ125X share the identical transmission

 

3strokemx wrote:

Oh we're talking 125's now, my bad. 

Even the 250x has a 5 speed.

First and second gear are exactly the same. Only minor differences in 3-5. Any rational person would admit that bike was made for mx and has minor tweaks for off road. 

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3strokemx
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8/6/2026 1:33pm
Even the 250x has a 5 speed.First and second gear are exactly the same. Only minor differences in 3-5. Any rational person would admit that bike...

Even the 250x has a 5 speed.

First and second gear are exactly the same. Only minor differences in 3-5. Any rational person would admit that bike was made for mx and has minor tweaks for off road. 

Yeah exactly, the transmissions are different. Thanks for agreeing with me.

The X isn't the same compression ratio either.
Suspension valving is different
CDI is different too
 

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8/6/2026 2:20pm Edited Date/Time 8/6/2026 2:21pm

The YZ125 and YZ125X share the identical transmission

 

3strokemx wrote:

Oh we're talking 125's now, my bad. 

Even the 250x has a 5 speed.First and second gear are exactly the same. Only minor differences in 3-5. Any rational person would admit that bike...

Even the 250x has a 5 speed.

First and second gear are exactly the same. Only minor differences in 3-5. Any rational person would admit that bike was made for mx and has minor tweaks for off road. 

The same can basically be said for the "XC" line of KTM's, they use a semi-close ratio trans (in between a SX and XCW) and in the case of the 450 XCF (up until recently) they are exactly the same trans.

The transmission are more different than you think and while 1/2 are the same, practically speaking, you can gear the X's down and maintain top end speed due to 4/5 being taller so you effectively have lower gearing.  Based on the MXA article the difference in 5th is 5 teeth which is pretty significant....like going from a 14 to a 13 (equivalent to ~3 teeth on sprock) + 2 teeth on the rear sprock, so 13/52 vs 14/50, that is a big difference in 1st.

https://motocrossactionmag.com/ask-the-mxperts-the-x-factor-versus-the-…

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Press516
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8/6/2026 8:40pm
Press516 wrote:
Every time I look at it, I wish I was seeing a more compact and oval looking silencer, like a vintage DG and not the 4...

Every time I look at it, I wish I was seeing a more compact and oval looking silencer, like a vintage DG and not the 4 fatty look...

But damn, this thing looks better than what I think everyone expected.

JMX82 wrote:
I think PC or FMF can fix that for you 😎 

I think PC or FMF can fix that for you 😎 

1000074102.jpg?VersionId=8y xacq6GTJkWXpMU2yoGa4Lmf

Yeah, an FMF Shorty would be a great start.

IMG 8798 3
2
8/7/2026 8:18am

And then we complain when our tracks get shut down for noise. I miss the 80s and 90s.. dB Snorkels used to be very popular for two strokes. Less sound = more ground.  

It's a different world we live in today. 

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1
8/7/2026 12:28pm

Glad to see this is still made, but I'd honestly just keep the stock can in place esp if I end up with an X version. 

2026-08-07 15-27
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Josh422
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8/7/2026 1:09pm
And then we complain when our tracks get shut down for noise. I miss the 80s and 90s.. dB Snorkels used to be very popular for...

And then we complain when our tracks get shut down for noise. I miss the 80s and 90s.. dB Snorkels used to be very popular for two strokes. Less sound = more ground.  

It's a different world we live in today. 

Noise issues shutting down tracks, wish there was a solution…

Oh wait, Starks exist.

But we hate electric…

It’s kind of funny, we get in our own damn way.

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8
8/7/2026 1:51pm
And then we complain when our tracks get shut down for noise. I miss the 80s and 90s.. dB Snorkels used to be very popular for...

And then we complain when our tracks get shut down for noise. I miss the 80s and 90s.. dB Snorkels used to be very popular for two strokes. Less sound = more ground.  

It's a different world we live in today. 

Josh422 wrote:

Noise issues shutting down tracks, wish there was a solution…

Oh wait, Starks exist.

But we hate electric…

It’s kind of funny, we get in our own damn way.

or gee I hate driving 2 hours to a track

Oh wait, Starks exist.
I could build a track in my backyard

but we still hate electric 

 

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4
8/7/2026 2:06pm
And then we complain when our tracks get shut down for noise. I miss the 80s and 90s.. dB Snorkels used to be very popular for...

And then we complain when our tracks get shut down for noise. I miss the 80s and 90s.. dB Snorkels used to be very popular for two strokes. Less sound = more ground.  

It's a different world we live in today. 

Josh422 wrote:

Noise issues shutting down tracks, wish there was a solution…

Oh wait, Starks exist.

But we hate electric…

It’s kind of funny, we get in our own damn way.

or gee I hate driving 2 hours to a track

Oh wait, Starks exist.
I could build a track in my backyard

but we still hate electric 

 

I'm on board with Electric for this reason, as long as you keep dust under control you could have a track pretty much anywhere. I could see the city of Temecula having a badass moto track right in town!  I'd sure miss the excitement of IC engines if racing switched to electric though. 

1
2
8/7/2026 4:23pm
Josh422 wrote:

Noise issues shutting down tracks, wish there was a solution…

Oh wait, Starks exist.

But we hate electric…

It’s kind of funny, we get in our own damn way.

or gee I hate driving 2 hours to a track

Oh wait, Starks exist.
I could build a track in my backyard

but we still hate electric 

 

Kindasmoky wrote:
I'm on board with Electric for this reason, as long as you keep dust under control you could have a track pretty much anywhere. I could...

I'm on board with Electric for this reason, as long as you keep dust under control you could have a track pretty much anywhere. I could see the city of Temecula having a badass moto track right in town!  I'd sure miss the excitement of IC engines if racing switched to electric though. 

Most tracks close due to insurance. Have an electric bike won’t fix that. 

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yamathumb
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8/7/2026 9:16pm

Just to be clear- larger the two stroke off road bike, quieter it is in motion. Cr500 are the quietest bike you will hear. Its a dead giveaway at a distance-bikes moving way faster than it sounds.  Think 450 speed and motors barely barking

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SEEMEFIRST
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8/7/2026 9:37pm
yamathumb wrote:
Just to be clear- larger the two stroke off road bike, quieter it is in motion. Cr500 are the quietest bike you will hear. Its a...

Just to be clear- larger the two stroke off road bike, quieter it is in motion. Cr500 are the quietest bike you will hear. Its a dead giveaway at a distance-bikes moving way faster than it sounds.  Think 450 speed and motors barely barking

Yes, because we're lugging. 

This is real. You can hear them over others, but it isn't offensive. 

Justthefacts
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8/8/2026 5:54am

A 2 stroke can be made quite a bit quieter, without loosing as much power as well.  If you took a 2 stroke and 4 stroke, made them both as quiet as an average car on the road, the 2 stroke would still feel pretty good.   4 stroke would feel like a dog. 

8
bluesmoke
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8/8/2026 9:39am

or gee I hate driving 2 hours to a track

Oh wait, Starks exist.
I could build a track in my backyard

but we still hate electric 

 

Kindasmoky wrote:
I'm on board with Electric for this reason, as long as you keep dust under control you could have a track pretty much anywhere. I could...

I'm on board with Electric for this reason, as long as you keep dust under control you could have a track pretty much anywhere. I could see the city of Temecula having a badass moto track right in town!  I'd sure miss the excitement of IC engines if racing switched to electric though. 

Most tracks close due to insurance. Have an electric bike won’t fix that. 

Yep you can bust yer ass on electric also. Medical insurance will ask ''where and how did you injure yourself?'' 

Josh422
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8/8/2026 10:02am
Kindasmoky wrote:
I'm on board with Electric for this reason, as long as you keep dust under control you could have a track pretty much anywhere. I could...

I'm on board with Electric for this reason, as long as you keep dust under control you could have a track pretty much anywhere. I could see the city of Temecula having a badass moto track right in town!  I'd sure miss the excitement of IC engines if racing switched to electric though. 

Most tracks close due to insurance. Have an electric bike won’t fix that. 

bluesmoke wrote:

Yep you can bust yer ass on electric also. Medical insurance will ask ''where and how did you injure yourself?'' 

Yep insurance is another issue. Doesn’t mean noise isn’t a problem. It’s all you heard about as 4t took over in the 2000s.

I’d love to see indoor riding grow in states that have winters with ebikes becoming competitive. Seems far more simple since ventilation would not be a concern.

2
prozach
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8/8/2026 11:14am

Did they not do any laps around the track at LL?  That's an odd decision.  If it's there and ready to be started everyday, why not have RV or someone rip a lap or two?  

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bodycast
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8/8/2026 11:22am
prozach wrote:
Did they not do any laps around the track at LL?  That's an odd decision.  If it's there and ready to be started everyday, why not...

Did they not do any laps around the track at LL?  That's an odd decision.  If it's there and ready to be started everyday, why not have RV or someone rip a lap or two?  

I wonder if its because they dont want any kind of failure infront of anyone.  I dont belive that would happen but man that would suck.

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