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Mid October hopeful for some dealers, Nov more likely, some info 327/327X is being allocated by number of KTM 300/300XC sales if the dealer is also a KTM dealer, more KTM300 sales more KX327’s to be allocated, so if you’re looking to get one as early as possible, find your closest KTM dealer that is also a Kawasaki Dealer, lot of good places on the east coast close to GNCC country.
Alright now I’m stoked. That audio was way better than the official commercials. Sounding good 👍
When did you hear this?
I was in my local dealer last week where I have a deposit on a 327X. They are a high volume KTM and Kawasaki dealer. I was told their arrival is most likely early January. They are getting 10 total - 5 of the X and 5 of the MX
January is the correct forecast for arrival (as long as there are no hiccups along the way).
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It definitely sounded better once it was warmed up!
Good to know mine was saying late December and its the biggest dealer around me in Wny. Got second in line for my deposit.
I am sure it is a good bike. I have ridden 2 strokes for 58 years, from 125cc to 500cc, and honestly that is definitely the worst sounding big bore 2 stroke that I have ever heard. It sounds more like a 150cc.. not a big bore, especially when it is rev'd out. Sounds like it flattens out very fast. I am also sure that every guy that has put down their downpayment is hating my post, but it is a 2 stroke, so it should be easily fixable, aside from the fuel injection which will require sending the ECU out for a remap.
Not going to lie, wouldn't mind a Keihin instead of Fuel injection. Either way, hats off to Kawasaki. Now if we can get Suzuki to re-release the 08 RM 250's or even a modern version.
I was thinking the same thing after watching the previous videos. When under load it doesn’t rev into the top of the rpm range, indicating the power goes flat up top like you mentioned.
Axell was riding it like a 250F. I have to admit it sounded better than the earlier videos, but now that you mention it, it’s not under much load on Axell’s track.
Stoked to hear it rev a bit, but my money is still on it being a midrange motor that goes flat on top. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Just an observation.
That is a good point, a lot of these test riders so far may not be riding it like a big bore 2T and winding it out farther than it wants to go. I do think it sounds different than most other MX 2Ts I have heard. Sounds more like a trail bike. It doesn't have the deep throaty sound or the pop-pop at idle of the typical healthy big bore 2T. We won't have a good idea of what the power is actually like until well into next year when more people have their hands on it. The first tests and the first personal rides are probably going to over praise it, as they always tend to do. Glad to see it happening though and I am betting this is getting Yamaha more motivated to raise the bar on 2Ts.
Maybe a de-tuned stock KX327 is Kawasaki's retirement gift to Mitch Payton? Sell as many boatloads as they can ship to all the Vets who don't dare to show up to a practice day with anything less than a full A-kit bike.
although I cant agrue what your hearing, its still a couple months away. And mapping/tweaking is proably still in development. Its an easy update on their end. For that matter they can email an updated map to dealers litterally in minutes. So Im not to concerned myself.
To me the 327 does not sound unusually rpm limited in this latest video. It does have a silencer that appears to be about twice the volume of an old school two stroke silencer. That might have an impact on the tone?
I've never owned a fuel injected 2t but it definitely sounds like the ECU takes a little while to get to where it's happier. When we shut the choke off, it's off. On the other hand I'm sure lowering the compression was part of the "de-tuning " they did as well as mapping.
Let PC, XPR, and Twisted play with this and I'll bet it will run real fine. That's if it doesn't already run quite good from the factory, which I think it will. ECU, dual injectors, exhaust valve, pipe, silencer, reeds, compression/head shape, porting, etc. Lots to play with here and most of it is not overly expensive compared to a four stroke. A factory pipe and silencer for looks will be mandatory!
The compression and ignition timing detuning was just the X model, right? The first videos of it running were of the X model, but the latest videos of Villopoto and Hodges is the motocross model, right? My guess is they really went conservative with the mapping and the big silencer, and changes to just those may bring the motor to life. The fuel injected KTMs even sound better.
again, these are pre-production bikes we have been seeing. Production bikes a a few months out, it will be fine! For example, at the Honda intro a few weeks ago in Millville, the media wasnt aloud to ride the WE bike sitting in the pits, only Canard was. Canard said it was because they were still working on ECU settings and didnt want the media to ride it yet. That too is a bike a couple months out from being available. Mapping can be changed in minutes, even in the dealership. Not a big deal.
I believe this will be better than a YZ 250 objectively. I rode a 2024 KX 450, and it was better in every single aspect. However, I cannot explain why, but from the clips I have seen, I would still pick a YZ 250 for a two stroke die hard. Everyone that loves a modern 4 stroke might finally be able to love a 2 stroke with this bike, as it might be the ultimate choice for the right rider. Anyways, happy to see Kawasaki making a two stroke comeback.
Pit Row
I could be wrong here but I feel like the pipe wall thickness is getting over analyzed, I would imagine they did that to help it withstand hits, like the fmf gnarly which shape brings the low end power but its wall thickness brings the ability to stand up to rocks and bashing a bit more than a fatty or a cone pipe "mx" pipe.
I don't know anything about the bikes in the videos, just a guy who put his name down for an X at my local dealer. My 03 CR250 runs well but, I'm in the mood for a counter balancer and electric start. Edit: I think it was the Baylor video a while back when he talked about the thing being too much and had to be tamed down.
Same. Guys told me “everyone is hoping for September. But don’t be mad if I call you in December with any info” I said here’s my money. Actually contemplated going to get some premix to practice mixing gas lol so tired of waiting.
Using ChatGPT for responses should be outlawed here.
Electric start....dumb.... and in every video, the 327 sounds like a 250 with lean jetting and a worn piston...
I see a new business model forming from this thread. I had no idea there were people who had such a keen ear and eye that they could diagnose and basically dyno motorcycles from a video that has gone through sound editing and production edits. I could see this being a very profitable venture. Your clients could send you a video of them riding their motorcycle and you can tell them everything that needs attention. Also you guys could probably find a role at AMA races. Instead of doing a tear down to a protested bike, they could just send a quick video for confirmation of bore and stroke. I’m very impressed!
If you can all remember when the KTM 300SX came out in 23, it was highly anticipated….dealers sold them for top dollar….many who puffed out their chest, stating they were die hard 2 stroke riders had to have them……then a few months into owning them….many were listed for sale…with very low hrs…4-8-10 hrs….”going back to my 450”….why was this? We”ll the bikes needed some tuning….the ECU”s were not easily tuned…it took some time before tuners cracked the ECU and made improvements…I had a brand new 23 300SX…. I am a die hard 2 stroke guy….meaning I grew up on them, I do my own top ends and sometimes bottom ends….and I WANT to ride a 2 stroke….most of the time😂….The 23 KtM stock, had great throttle response, low end & midrange that hit like a mule…then flattened out quickly with little top end over rev…at first I was loving it…I put 40hrs on it stock, made gearing changes, added an FMF pipe…but that monster midrange hit can get tiring mid moto, especially if you are a Vet rider. I had John at TPI tuning work the ECU…better than stock, smoothed out midrange hit & slightly more top end over rev….150hrs later I bought another 300SX last fall…the dealers were blowing out 25”s for 7200.00…remember when everyone had to have one? I knew exactly how to set the bike up, pretty much the same as the 23, stock mapping was better than 23 but still hard hitting with little overvrev…had WMR/ Nihilo remap the ECU…Yes, the same Nihilo that is in another thread where there fuel pump hose failed….I believe the Tech who was doing the remapping went out on his own recently….WoW is all I can say…this bike rips..low, mid, top ..all on on pump 93 fuel…I use 95 just because I use it in my other 2T”s….long winded post but realistically this bike may need a few years of fine tuning to reach its full potential…luckily Kawasaki has had KTM”s blueprint to learn from…
I only made it about 20 seconds into the axle guys video….Watching him hit the freestyle ramps on his 450 was the opposite of why I clicked…. I understand his followers and influencer status…..but… put that bike on an Mx track with an Mx rider wringing its neck…or a 3 hr GNCC for some endurance testing….
Yup, they are 'special' people to be able to diagnose a bike through the sound(s) on a variety of videos.
All, to me, sound different - some probably having had sound dubbed in, some with the sound from different points - be they coming from a drones mike(s), mike locations on the actual bike, or by the track.
And, I daresay the 327s, both types, have those mufflers to meet next years noise regs. At least the MX ones. Even if they haven't a class in major series, due to the Continuing , P**s Poor capacity rules.
It seems near on everyone was bitching about the time between the initial 'surfacing' of this bike - many saying it as BS - but, the same was said by so many about Beta and Sherco getting into Off Road / MX 2 strokes.
Bitching about things like Electric Start and EFI ? - hey I ride a primitive Old 2 stroke, ( at times, in group rides, I've been the Only One on a 2T, Carb'd KS bike) but I know that new ones, Need such things to gain sales , AND, have a future. I like there are the smaller manufacturers that keep with the Carbs, but, they Will disappear - carbs won't get 2 Ts through various 'On Road ' requirements, for much longer. And, I expect the various Powers That Be, will really start to go after purely Off Road Motorcycles when it comes to 'emissions' - You Know Those F**kers Will, eventually.
I may be naïve, but, I hope the time between the first 'showings' of the bike, and the release, has been from Kawasaki making Damned sure that the EFI etc, is as close to perfect as possible - avoiding the whole (bastard of a thing) of the owners having to do the final development work / suffer through Manufacturer F**k Ups.
I hope Kawasaki OZ get the 'X' ADR'd, for 'plating'. Probably not for the first year, I'd say.
Oh, and watching the 'ride'' videos, with McGrath etc, the very last shot of Macca, it looks like he 'stands up' (well, the bike) and was proceeding to go into the 'boonies' to the right. Even the greats have moments............
My junk right knee says E start is awesome!
Sandman, your observations are spot on and exactly why I hope this bike does not have a big hit in the powerband.
Everything we have now is of a preproduction bike. We know very little about anything of real significance. My hope is for a smooth power delivery on a good chassis with proven KYB suspension. Only ‘hope’ for now.
I am going to reserve judgment until some people ride them, actual consumers.
It is awesome that we have another 2 stroke option.
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