Kawasaki just made a move that has the off-road world talking. After more than two decades without a big-bore two-stroke on the roster, Team Green is finally bringing back fuel-injected smokers for 2027.
The new KX327 and KX327X are designed for riders who want the responsive, character-driven feel of two-stroke power without the headaches of carburetors. Both bikes pack a liquid-cooled, 327cc fuel-injected engine with electric start, putting them at an accessible price point: $9099 for the standard KX327 and $9699 for the KX327X cross-country variant.
This matters because two-strokes nearly vanished from manufacturer lineups in the last 20 years. For a generation of racers and weekend warriors, that meant either hanging onto vintage machines or adapting to four-stroke aggression. The KX327 bridges that gap with modern reliability wrapped around pure two-stroke character.
Two-Stroke Revival
The KX327X is the more versatile sibling, built with longer travel suspension and wider gearing for cross-country racing. The standard KX327 focuses on motocross, where low-end torque and snappy throttle response give newer riders a fighting chance on track.
Both models arrive in late 2026, just as the off-road season picks up steam. Kawasaki’s timing is smart.
Two-stroke purists have been vocal about missing the high-RPM excitement and mechanical simplicity of the breed. Meanwhile, the modern fuel-injection system solves the old reliability and emissions headaches that helped push two-strokes into retirement.
This isn’t just nostalgia play, though. For years, privateers and amateur racers have either bought used bikes or paid premium money for higher-displacement four-strokes they don’t really need. The KX327 gives those riders a factory-backed, brand-new alternative that actually makes sense on the ledger.
Source: Cycle World, Motocross Action Magazine