Kawasaki's new full-size two-stroke pair deserves a closer look before shoppers treat the names as interchangeable. The KX327 is the motocross version; the KX327X is the cross-country version. Kawasaki announced them on June 2, so this is an explanation ahead of the listed late-2026 availability, not a claim that the announcement just happened. [1] [2] [3]
The shared starting point
Both use a newly developed 327cc, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected two-stroke single with electric starting and a hydraulic clutch. Kawasaki specifies premix lubrication, an aluminum perimeter frame, selectable power modes and a KYB coil-spring fork. [1]
Fuel injection does not mean oil injection. Do not turn the EFI badge into an assumption about how fuel is prepared. The owner's instructions must determine the correct fuel and premix procedure; this preview supplies no guessed ratio.
What the X changes
| Item | KX327 | KX327X |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Motocross | Cross-country |
| Transmission | Close-ratio five-speed | Six-speed, low first gear |
| Rear wheel | 19 inches | 18 inches |
The X also gets a 2.2-gallon semi-transparent fuel tank, hand guards, a skid plate, linkage and rear-disc protection, and a side stand. Those are practical differences to include when comparing the two versions, rather than reducing the decision to their shared displacement. [1]
U.S. price: compare the same totals
On November 11, Kawasaki's U.S. pages list the KX327 at $9,099 base MSRP and the KX327X at $9,699. Each has a $650 destination charge. The listed base-plus-destination amounts are therefore $9,749 and $10,349, respectively. [2] [3]
Those are not out-the-door quotes. Taxes, title, licensing, dealer fees, options and other applicable charges are separate, and the dealer sets the actual retail price. Ask for an itemized total rather than comparing a bare MSRP at one shop with a delivered price at another. [2]
What still needs checking
Both U.S. model pages still say full specifications are coming soon and list availability as late 2026. Neither statement confirms that a particular dealer has a bike ready for collection. We are not filling the gaps with a horsepower figure, exact weight or delivery promise. [2] [3]
WrenchMoto take: Begin with where you will actually ride, then compare the complete equipment and ownership requirements. The X's extra gear and protection are meaningful on a specification sheet, but a specification sheet cannot establish how either bike feels underneath you. This is manufacturer-based reporting, with no test ride or durability verdict.
Before committing, check your event's class rules, local riding-area requirements and the exact delivered model's documentation. An X suffix alone does not establish road legality, a spark-arrestor approval, suitability for a beginner or eligibility for a particular racing class. Leave those checks separate from enthusiasm for a new two-stroke.
Sources & riding information
- Kawasaki USA: June 2, 2026 KX327/KX327X model announcement — published .
- Kawasaki USA: 2027 KX327 model and pricing.
- Kawasaki USA: 2027 KX327X model and pricing.
Sources checked Nov 11, 2026 (UTC). U.S. pricing is dated and excludes additional applicable charges. Kawasaki says specifications and pricing may change. The original comparison graphic is not a photograph or an exact motorcycle rendering.