Kawasaki Unveils the KX327, Its Biggest Two-Stroke Dirt Bike in Over Two Decades

      Kawasaki

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      Did you believe that two-stroke bikes were becoming a thing of the past? Kawasaki is happy to announce otherwise. The manufacturer, known for its green and black color scheme, has revealed the KX327 and KX327X, the largest two-stroke bikes since the KX500 was discontinued in 2004.

      This new engine is Kawasaki’s first fuel-injected, single-cylinder two-stroke. The company states that this precise fuel delivery method guarantees “smooth, predictable power delivery from ultra-low to mid rpm,” making it easier to start.

      Two-stroke engines are attractive in powersports for their ability to produce significant power with relatively small displacement. Their distinctive “Ring-ding-ding-ding” sound evokes nostalgia; however, many have left the market due to being loud and somewhat polluting.

      Kawasaki provided extensive information in its announcement about the exhaust valve system, which aims to enhance low-end torque and facilitate smoother acceleration as engine speed increases. The goal is to improve rideability in technical conditions, demonstrated by the KX327’s close-ratio five-speed gearbox and the KX327X’s six-speed with an ultra-low first gear.

      It seems the engineers successfully addressed the common weaknesses of two-stroke engines while preserving their advantages. You can expect a highly responsive throttle, and with this level of displacement, it promises to deliver impressive power at higher RPMs.

      The KX327 and KX327X feature selectable drive modes, enabling riders to switch between two ECU maps. Although I haven’t ridden a two-stroke since my high school days, I can confidently say I've never been on a bike that offers this feature. While it’s typical to find multiple drive modes on high-end sportbikes, it’s somewhat amusing on a dirt bike.

      The aluminum perimeter frame draws inspiration from the successful four-stroke KX450F, yet these new models are approximately six pounds lighter. Both are equipped with a 48-millimeter inverted AOS coil-spring fork at the front, while Uni-Trak rear suspension helps transfer power to the ground. Notable differences between the motocross and cross-country models include a 19-inch rear wheel for the non-X version, as well as a full-length skid plate and a larger 2.2-gallon fuel tank on the X.

      To clarify, these new Kawasaki models are not the largest two-strokes currently available. That distinction belongs to the Beta 350RX. While they are still smaller than the old 500cc two-strokes of the past, the current lineup of bikes is clearly robust. I wouldn’t be able to control one.

      Kawasaki

      Deliveries for the KX327 and KX327X are set to begin later in 2026, with the former priced at $9,099 and the latter at $9,699.

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