It’s one of the most anticipated off-road motorcycle announcements in decades. More than 20 years after discontinuing the legendary KX250 two-stroke, Kawasaki is officially returning to the big-bore two-stroke market with the all-new 2027 KX327 and KX327X.
As a proud owner of a 2002 Kawasaki KX 250 that I have had way too much fun on since I bought it as a new, leftover in 2003 for $3,700, I am over the moon.
The dirt bike industry began its dramatic shift toward four-stroke technology in the early 2000s, leaving many two-stroke enthusiasts wondering if Kawasaki would ever re-enter the segment.
During the past decade, riders have repeatedly called for the return of a modern Kawasaki two-stroke. After months of rumors and speculation, Kawasaki fueled excitement when it announced during the 2025 Anaheim 2 Supercross that a new two-stroke was in development.
Nearly 500 days later, the company has finally unveiled the finished product.
According to Kawasaki representatives, the extended development timeline was the result of extensive testing and refinement to ensure the new KX327 was fully ready for production.
The new machine represents a major leap forward from the last-generation KX250 two-stroke. Highlights include a fuel-injected 327cc engine, electronic power valve, electric start, and an aluminum perimeter frame derived from Kawasaki’s championship-winning motocross platform.
Perhaps most surprising is the pricing. Kawasaki has positioned the KX327 aggressively against the established European competition. The motocross-focused KX327 carries an MSRP of $9,099, while the off-road-oriented KX327X comes in at $9,699. Both undercut the popular KTM 300 XC, which currently retails for approximately $11,849.
The KX327X receives several off-road upgrades, including a six-speed transmission, larger fuel tank, skid plate, linkage guard, and additional protective equipment designed for cross-country riding.
Competitive innovation and pricing is nothing new for Kawasaki. The company has a long history of carefully developing products before entering established markets. A famous example came in 1973 when Kawasaki launched the Z1 900, a motorcycle designed to outperform the groundbreaking 1969 Honda CB750 that had previously redefined the superbike category.
Kawasaki says the KX327 platform was designed to excel in both recreational off-road riding and amateur motocross competition. The bike also appears well-suited for popular off-road racing series such as GNCC, NGPC, and Best in the Desert.
At this time, Kawasaki says it has no plans to pursue rule changes that would allow the KX327 to compete in AMA Pro Motocross, where the machine currently falls outside existing displacement regulations for both the 250 and 450 classes.
Still, motorcycle racing history has shown that industry-changing innovations often begin outside the rulebook. In 1997, Doug Henry became the first rider to win a Supercross main event aboard a four-stroke when he piloted Yamaha’s revolutionary YZM400F to victory. One year later, Henry captured the AMA Pro Motocross 250 National Championship aboard the YZ400F, helping accelerate the industry’s transition away from two-strokes. Yamaha continued that evolution with the YZ426F in 2000 and eventually the YZ450F in 2003.
Could Kawasaki’s new KX327 spark a similar movement?
Four-strokes are unlikely to disappear anytime soon, but the excitement surrounding the KX327 proves there is still significant demand for a modern, high-performance two-stroke.
“This will be a really enjoyable and easy bike to ride with controllable power,” said Kawasaki Senior Manager of Marketing Ken Essex. “We constantly look at market data and trends and understand that the off-road market is very large, and this is what riders have wanted.”
The launch also reflects Kawasaki’s recent success in responding to consumer demand. The company has gained significant market share in recent years through popular and affordable models such as the KLX series, Ninja 500, and ZX-6R.
With the introduction of the KX327, Kawasaki is once again demonstrating its willingness to listen to riders and invest in segments many believed had been left behind.
New Fuel-Injected Two-Stroke Engine
At the heart of the all-new KX327 and KX327X is Kawasaki’s first completely new big-bore two-stroke engine in more than two decades. The 327cc powerplant combines traditional two-stroke simplicity with modern technology, including fuel injection and electronic engine management designed to deliver smoother, more controllable power across the rpm range.
Unlike the abrupt, hard-hitting two-strokes of the past, Kawasaki says the new engine offers a broad torque curve and predictable power delivery, making it easier to maintain traction and momentum in a variety of riding conditions. Fuel injection also eliminates the need for jetting changes when riding in different temperatures, elevations, or weather conditions.
The motocross-focused KX327 is equipped with a five-speed transmission optimized for track performance, while the off-road-oriented KX327X receives a six-speed gearbox featuring a lower first gear for technical terrain and tight trail sections.
A newly developed electronic power valve system further enhances throttle response and power delivery, helping the engine produce strong low-end torque while maintaining impressive top-end performance. Both models come standard with electric start, two selectable engine maps, and smartphone connectivity that allows riders to adjust settings, review ride data, and access maintenance information directly from their mobile devices.
Lightweight KX Chassis
The new engine is housed within a lightweight aluminum perimeter frame derived from Kawasaki’s flagship KX450 motocross platform. Constructed from forged, extruded, and cast aluminum components, the chassis was designed to provide the balanced handling characteristics and stability riders have come to expect from the KX lineup.
Thanks in part to the compact two-stroke engine design, Kawasaki claims a wet weight of just 233.7 pounds, putting the KX327 in the same weight range as many modern 250cc four-strokes. Kawasaki lists the same claimed weight for the KX327X despite its additional off-road equipment, including a skid plate, linkage guard, hand guards, rear brake protection, and six-speed transmission.
The KX327X is equipped with a larger 2.2-gallon fuel tank for extended range during off-road rides and races, while both models feature slim ergonomics and rider-focused bodywork designed to maximize movement and control.
Premium Suspension and Components
Suspension duties are handled by high-end KYB components. Up front is a 48mm Air-Oil Separate (AOS) inverted fork with fully adjustable compression and rebound damping. Out back, Kawasaki’s proven Uni-Trak rear suspension system offers preload adjustment as well as separate high- and low-speed compression damping and rebound adjustment.
The KX327 utilizes a traditional motocross wheel combination with a 21-inch front and 19-inch rear wheel, while the KX327X features an 18-inch rear wheel better suited for off-road competition and trail riding. Riders can further tailor the ergonomics with four handlebar positions and two footpeg positions.
Stopping power comes from Nissin braking components, including a 270mm front rotor paired with a dual-piston caliper and a 240mm rear rotor with a single-piston caliper.
Pricing and Availability
Kawasaki has announced U.S. pricing at $9,099 for the KX327 and $9,699 for the KX327X, positioning both models aggressively within the growing off-road and two-stroke markets.
While some final specifications have yet to be released, Kawasaki says additional details will be announced closer to the bikes’ arrival in dealerships, which is expected in late 2026.
2027 Kawasaki KX327 Specifications
- MSRP: $9,099
- Engine: Liquid-cooled, 2-stroke, single-cylinder
- Displacement: 327cc
- Transmission: 5-speed
- Fuel System: Fuel injection, 39mm throttle body, premix lubrication
- Clutch: Wet multi-disc
- Frame: Aluminum perimeter
- Front Suspension: 48mm KYB AOS inverted fork
- Rear Suspension: Uni-Trak with fully adjustable damping
- Front Brake: 270mm disc, dual-piston Nissin caliper
- Rear Brake: 240mm disc, single-piston Nissin caliper
- Wheels: 21-inch front / 19-inch rear
- Fuel Capacity: 2.2 gallons
- Claimed Wet Weight: 233.7 lbs.
2027 Kawasaki KX327X Specifications
- MSRP: $9,699
- Engine: Liquid-cooled, 2-stroke, single-cylinder
- Displacement: 327cc
- Transmission: 6-speed
- Fuel System: Fuel injection, 39mm throttle body, premix lubrication
- Clutch: Wet multi-disc
- Frame: Aluminum perimeter
- Front Suspension: 48mm KYB AOS inverted fork
- Rear Suspension: Uni-Trak with fully adjustable damping
- Front Brake: 270mm disc, dual-piston Nissin caliper
- Rear Brake: 240mm disc, single-piston Nissin caliper
- Wheels: 21-inch front / 18-inch rear
- Fuel Capacity: 2.2 gallons
- Claimed Wet Weight: 233.7 lbs.
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