Two-stroke motorcycles are dead, right? You’re dead wrong if you think that. Consider the new Fantic XE 300, introduced at the 2023 EICMA show. This Euro enduro is filled with next-gen features, although there are still some quirks that might turn off some dirt riders.

The engine itself is built by Minnarelli, which is owned by Fantic and closely aligned with the Fantic-Yamaha partnership. The two-stroke single is fuel-injected with electric start (no kickstart) and has a five-speed gearbox. It’s supposed to be related to a YZ design. It has an automatic decompression system, with 293 cc capacity, 11.5:1 compression. The clutch is hydraulic, with a Brembo master cylinder. Arrow provides the exhaust.

We actually saw this engine at past moto shows, including a big appearance at EICMA in 2022 (see that here). Back then we told you:

This project has a bit of a convoluted history. Internet scuttlebutt says Jan Witteveen, a Dutch engineer who worked with Aprilia, Gilera and other race teams, started this project. Witteveen is considered a wizard of two-stroke design, which is why Moto Minnarelli brought him on board a couple of years ago. This 300 2T is a long way from the big-bore engines that Witteveen would have tuned for Rossi, Biaggi and other GP racers, but it is certainly an interesting way to put his expertise to work. More recently, Motori Minnarelli says the University of Modena also helped with the new two-stroke’s design.

Why pick the Yamaha engine? For a while, Motori Minnarelli was owned by Yamaha, and now it’s owned by Yamaha Motor Europe’s partner Fantic. The ownership of these Italian companies gets a bit convoluted, but they’re all working together to build better performing bikes and engines.

Aside from the new engine, we don’t know a lot about the new bike. Brakes are from Nissin. The frame is aluminum, with bolt-on subframe and aluminum swingarm. The fully-adjustable suspension is from Kayaba, no surprise considering Yamaha’s involvement. There’s supposed to be 11.8 in of fork travel, and 12.4 in of travel for the shock. Seat height is 38.2 in. It’s supposed to weigh 236 lb dry, and fuel capacity is 9 liters, or 2.37 USG.

The machine doesn’t have ABS, although it’s street-legal in Europe, due to its classification as an enduro bike. However, it does have multiple engine maps and adjustable traction control.

Fantic motorcycles are indeed sold in the US, although they’re hardly a household name. We’ve seen no indication whether the bike will come across the Atlantic, but if the company bigwigs think they can turn a profit, no doubt there would be some buyers eager to try out a competitor to KTM in the two-stroke arena.