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  • 2 days ago
The 2-Stroke KING is BACK!
Introducing the 2026 Kawasaki KX500 2-Stroke – a brutal, raw, and legendary dirt bike that’s finally reborn with modern tech and old-school fury. In this in-depth review, we break down everything from the redesigned 499cc 2-stroke engine, new aluminum frame, Showa A-Kit suspension, and wild riding experience. πŸ’š

Whether you're a desert racer, 2-stroke purist, or motocross veteran, this bike is a straight-up monster. No traction control. No nonsense. Just pure, unfiltered POWER. πŸ’₯

πŸ› οΈ Specs, riding impressions, price, competition, and more – this is the ULTIMATE look at the 2026 KX500.

πŸ‘‰ Drop a comment if you would ride this beast or if you had the OG KX500 back in the day!

πŸ“Œ Subscribe for more insane dirt bike reviews, motocross news, and 2-stroke madness every week.

πŸ”” Don't forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and HIT THAT BELL to join the throttle family!
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Transcript
00:00For years, the Kawasaki KX500 existed only in the dreams of hardcore motocross riders and desert
00:09racers. It was a machine known for its sheer violence, wild power band, and legendary dominance
00:15in open-class racing. Now, in 2026, Kawasaki has resurrected the beast, and it's back in a way that
00:22blends classic two-stroke rage with 21st century refinement. This is not a retro gimmick.
00:29This is the rebirth of the king. Engine, 499 cubic centimeters of fury, reinvented.
00:37Let's talk about the heart of this monster, a fully redesigned 499 cubic centimeters liquid-cooled,
00:43two-stroke single-cylinder engine. This isn't just a polished version of the old motor.
00:49Kawasaki completely re-engineered it with electronic fuel injection, EFI, a smart electronic power valve,
00:56kips, system, and a new counterbalancer shaft to tame vibrations. The result? A smoother,
01:03more responsive power delivery across the RPM range, without losing the signature explosive
01:08mid-to-top hit that made the original infamous. It revs clean, pulls hard, and still scares you,
01:15in a good way. The throttle response is instant, and the power band feels endless.
01:21Transmission and clutch, gear up for battle. The KX500 2026 comes equipped with a 5-speed
01:28wide-ratio gearbox that's designed for everything from tight single-track to wide-open desert halls.
01:34The gearing has been optimized to handle the massive torque and top-end speed.
01:38Kawasaki also added a hydraulic clutch system with a featherlight pull and better heat resistance for
01:44racing conditions. No more clutch fade mid-moto. Chassis, the best of both worlds.
01:51Gone is the old steel frame. The new KX500 borrows its frame DNA from the proven KX450 platform,
01:59a lightweight aluminum perimeter frame, tuned specifically to handle the forces of a 500 cubic
02:04centimeters two-stroke. It's stiff where it needs to be, compliant when you want flex,
02:10and rugged enough to survive high-speed hits without deflection. The new frame geometry gives
02:16better balance, quicker turn-in, and much more rider feedback than the 90s original. You'll feel
02:22planted through the corners and stable at speed, a much-needed upgrade for a bike this powerful.
02:28Suspension, track proven performance. Kawasaki went all in with the suspension.
02:34The front uses Showa 49mm A-Kit forks with DLC-coated tubes for low friction and full adjustability,
02:41compression, rebound, and preload. Out back, a Showa Unitrack rear shock handles damping duties
02:48with precision. Whether you're blitzing whoops, flying over jumps, or smashing through ruts,
02:54this setup eats everything alive. Bottom line? It's race-ready out of the crate. Brakes,
03:01stop the thunder. Stopping this kind of firepower isn't a joke. Kawasaki upgraded the braking system
03:08with Brembo-style calipers and oversized wave rotors, 270mm in the front and 250mm in the rear.
03:17This gives phenomenal stopping power, fade resistance, and feel. It's the kind of braking
03:23confidence you need when you're charging down a hill at 90mph on loose sand.
03:28Wheels, tires and ergonomics, built to be pushed. The KX500 comes with did-dirt-star wheels,
03:36wrapped in high-traction Dunlop MX-53 tires, perfect for mixed terrain and aggressive riding.
03:42The ergonomics have been modernized with a flatter seat, grippy plastics,
03:46and adjustable rental handlebars. Whether you're 6 feet tall or under 5 feet 8 inches,
03:52you'll find a comfortable riding position that keeps you in control. Design? A perfect blend of
03:58retro and modern. Visually, this bike is a stunner. It screams Kawasaki with its iconic lime green bodywork,
04:06old-school graphics, and aggressive styling. But look closer, and you'll see the modern touches,
04:12slimmer plastics, optimized airflow, integrated radiator guards, and a tucked-in exhaust that
04:18minimizes risk in tight trails or crashes. The retro shroud lines are a nod to the original 90s model,
04:24while the updated LED indicators, digital hour meter, and minimalist dash make it feel current.
04:31Electronics, minimal but smart. This bike is old-school in Seoul but smart where it matters.
04:38There's no traction control, no ride modes, and no rider aids. But it does include a modern ECU that
04:45controls fuel injection and ignition timing, a launch control button, and data port for race day
04:50diagnostics. It's tech done right, useful without getting in your way. Riding experience, wild, raw,
04:59and glorious. The first time you crack the throttle, you'll know, this is no beginner's bike.
05:05The KX500 launches like a cannonball, pulling so hard that you'll be gripping tighter just to stay on.
05:12The exhaust note is a raw, screaming symphony of two-stroke goodness,
05:16and the vibrations are now better managed thanks to the counterbalancer.
05:20It climbs hills like a goat on steroids, calves berms like a razor, and launches off jumps like it's
05:26defying physics. The suspension lets you ride hard without blowing through the stroke,
05:31and the chassis stays composed, even when the terrain gets nasty. This bike will push you,
05:38and reward you for being brave. Who should buy this bike?
05:42This isn't a machine for casual trail riders. The KX500 is for
05:48desert racers. Hill-climb addicts. Motocross veterans. Two-stroke loyalists. Riders who want
05:58the biggest, baddest weapon in the pits. If you want comfort and convenience, look elsewhere.
06:04But if you want speed, chaos, and unfiltered performance, this bike is your soulmate.
06:09Competition, does it even have any? Very few bikes dare to exist in this segment anymore.
06:16KTM's 500 EXCF and the Husky TE300 are the closest, but therefore stroke and smaller displacement.
06:24The Beta 500 RS is a contender, but again, not a two-stroke. Simply put, the KX500 two-stroke has no
06:32true rivals in terms of power-to-weight insanity. Pricing and availability.
06:38Kawasaki announced a limited production run of the 2026 KX500, with availability starting in fall 2025.
06:47MSRP is expected to be around $11,499, and it will be available only through select
06:54high-performance dealerships and motorsports distributors. Early reservations are already
06:59filling fast, this bike is going to be a collector's dream. Final verdict, the Alpha is back.
07:05The 2026 Kawasaki KX500 is a love letter to real riders, to those who remember what raw,
07:13mechanical power feels like. Kawasaki didn't hold back. They brought the monster back to life,
07:19gave it sharper teeth, a smarter brain, and a body that's ready for war. It's loud. It's fast.
07:27It's brutal. And it's perfect. If you have the skills, and the guts,
07:33the KX500 2026 will give you the ride of your life.
07:46And that is not obviously our growth σου representative team.
07:50We actually wrote about 4M days, next year 16 year 21, 50% of theΠ°ΡŽΡ‚Π‘ inexperienced coffee,
07:54and when it turns out to be a producer or 2M days, we have the costumes and our heads began to be fired
07:56that is a party's destination in a wheelchair for diy.
07:57And finally,, there is a respect to Mateo!".
08:08How do we get the connection to have a balanced way to British CaneloX?
08:10I'll see you next time.

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