Kawasaki Drops ALL NEW KX327 and NEW KX450F Models
A year and a half later and Team Green has delivered with an ALL NEW full size two-stroke dirt bike – the KX327! Coming 20 years after the final KX250 rolled off the production line, Kawasaki has developed an all new 327cc two-stroke race bike. Rather than relying on 20+ year old technology, this new big bore smoker is bringing the latest and greatest with a new fuel-injected engine, new frame, modern suspension and brakes, and more.
Based on the press release, this bike is heavily geared towards an off-road model, although cross-country race bikes and motocross bikes are very similar in setup and base design these days.
Engine
Keeping up with the trends, Kawasaki is joining Beta’s 350RX and KTM’s rumored new bigger bore two-stroke with the unveiling of their 327cc fuel-injected two-stroke power plant. Primarily designed as an off-road engine (though it will be released in both a moto version an a X off-road version), the single-cylinder engine is described as having a “flat torque curve” and providing “contrability” in the low-mid RPM’s — typical of a big-bore two stroke. Fuel is delivered through a fuel-injected throttle body, although premixing the gas is still required. A hydraulic clutch helps control the power delivery and a six-speed transmission is featured on the X model while the MX model used a five-speed tranny. It appears an electronic powervalve controls the exhaust flow and helps maintain useable power across the range. Keeping up with the trends, the bike boasts electric start — a necessity even on a two-stroke in today’s world. Likewise, it features a handlebar mounted mapping switch and riders are able to tune the bike using the KX Rideology App just like the four-strokes.
Suspension
The two-strokes feature KYB coil-spring suspension front and rear. Up until recently, the 250F’s have been relying on KYB suspenders but made a switch to Showa for 2025. Now, the entire KX two-stroke lineup is on KYB components.
Chassis
Similar to the engine, Kawasaki ditched the 20+ year old frame and houses the new 327cc engine in an aluminum perimeter frame based on the KX450F chassis. The KX327 utilizes a similar chassis to the current 2026 KX450, albeit a different engine cradle and mounts to house the two-cycle engine, but it shares the new subframe of the coming 2027 KX450F to adopt the airbox and styling of the new bike. This is likely due to the bike’s intended release being over one year ago prior to the updated KX450F release for 2027.
The claimed overall weight of the machine is 233.7 lbs – similar to that of their 250F. The braking power is provided by Nissin – they haven’t gone the FULL Brembo route that the new 450F has gone for ’27. The bodywork matches the new 450’s with updates to all of the plastics for 2027. Meanwhile, Kawasaki’s signature footpeg and handlebar mounting positions are featured on the two-strokes to allow for a wide range of adjustability for varying rider sizes. Kawasaki is equipping the both bikes with a large 2.2 gallon semi-transparent fuel tank while hand guards, a durable skid plate, linkage guard, and a rear disc guard grace the X model.
The KX327 motocross bike retails for $9,099 MSRP and the KX327X retails for $9,699 MSRP and both are available in late Summer of 2026.
