Possible Changes at KTM
Monday, January 26, 2026 at 11:51AM
Comment: Are KTM dropping the 250 two-stroke for a big-bore 350 EXC?
Restrictions are ruling out homologation for small capacity two-strokes – are KTM eyeing up a big-bore 350 2T TBI to fill gaps in the showrooms?
We’re not sure whether to run around cheering or put our heads in our hands and cry but with the 2026 enduro ranges from KTM, Husqvarna and GASGAS all limited to just one homologated two-stroke model, the 300, are we on the verge of major 2T enduro line-up game change?
Lower capacity two-strokes are out, no longer homologated models but restricted to closed courses, leaving the 300 EXC the lone models cross KTM, Husqvarna and GASGAS ranges in 2026.
Though lots of people use the XC-W and obviously motocross models for racing, a large number of customers rarely or never enter events. So, with only one option (X3 colours give or take a few spec options), that means a huge drop in sales for the Austrian manufacturer.
Add to that the complications and expenses of continually developing small capacity two-strokes and we can see why the 300 two-stroke has become a lone soldier.
Wouldn’t it make sense to turn the development time, effort and money into bigger bikes, bikes people actually want and arrive with a bored-out the 300 with another 50ccs?
You know it makes sense
This is in no way official, just Enduro21 again having an ear to the ground and listening to the rumbles in the tracks. On the back of mounting evidence the PDS, direct rear suspension system on the KTM EXC range, will be dropped (in the North American market from 2027) and as they streamline production in the light of last year’s financialproblems under new majority owners, Bajaj, this could add to the list of resolved headaches in the R&D department at least.
A bored-out 300 would in theory be an easy development step for KTM and there are other 350 models attracting a lot of attention, specifically the Beta RX350 which is proving popular (although it is carburetted and not homologated).
Long live the 250
We’re fans of a 250 at Enduro21. The power delivery, the lighter clutch and feel for not much trade-off in top end power hits home between the trees.
When Mario Roman raced the 2025 Getzenrodeo Hard Enduro World Championship round on a Sherco SE 250 two-stroke we were dancing. Plus, our TSP-tuned Husky TE250 remains one of the best and most versatile fuel injected enduro bikes we’ve ever ridden.
But that Austrian fuel injected two-stroke 250 needed the aftermarket work to make it usable for enduro and for many people the standard bikes have become obsolete in the showroom. Why would you buy one?
Add to this the fuel injected 250 and 300 TPI and TBI models have proved a spectacular failure at the races. Professional riders put this down to a power curve which is uninspiring when compared to rival carburetted bikes from Beta, Sherco and TM for example.
The 300 TBI has proved the exact opposite in Hard Enduro where the development to create a go-anywhere bike which happily chugs away in monster rock gardens, like Carl’s Diner at Erzberg, has transferred to successive Hard Enduro World Championships for Mani Lettenbichler and Billy Bolt.
Prices in the showrooms compared to rival manufacturers, plus spare parts availablity over the last year or so have not helped here it must be said.
The sheer volume of 300s sold only amplifies the problem for the smaller capacity bikes in the KTM Group which is why a 350 EXC could be the answer.
