Tomasin T500 Conversion Kit: Let There Be Two-Strokes!

[advrider]

Why did two-stroke dirt bikes (mostly) die out? It depends who you ask. Most people blame environmentalists, saying the green movement interfered with their unfettered combustion of premix. Perhaps—but other people will point out that many customers seemed to prefer four-strokes, when given the choice. But what if you still want a big-bore bike with the sweet, sweet smell of two-stroke smoke, even if the industry has abandoned your desires? No worries—the Tomasin T500 has your back.

Tomasin R&D is an Italian company that builds and sells go-fast parts for dirt bikes and quads. Some of these products are fairly generic, stuff like exhausts or data loggers or ECUs. Or, you can custom-order the T500 conversion kit. It’s a mad-scientist modification for your 2021-2024 Honda CRF450, turning it from a sensible four-stroke into an intimidating 500 cc two-stroke by swapping out a long list of engine parts.

Behold your new two-stroke engine! Built from a four-stroke core, this Tomasin conversion will convert your engine into a modern two-smoker, retaining only a few original parts. Photo: Tomasin

Many of these parts are obvious—going from four-stroke to two-stroke architecture requires a new intake manifold, a new cylinder head, new cylinder, new piston, new crankshaft, new engine case, and a new con-rod. You’re basically keeping the starter, the clutch assembly, the electronics and the gearbox from the original engine, and that’s pretty much it. Tomasin will even sell you a revised gearbox, if you want it.

However, Tomasin’s upgrades go past the hard parts that you’d expect. The 500 two-strokes of years gone by were notoriously hard to handle, due to their massive build-up of torque while in the powerband. Tomasin also added a new ECU that offers basic traction control capabilities. If the bike’s brain decides you’re about to launch yourself towards orbit, it can adjust the engine output accordingly, to perhaps save you a date with the ER. This also functions as a launch control system. This ECU also allows for five different engine maps, so if you’re not feeling quite as insane-o, you can dial back the power for a more sedate ride.

Mind you, Tomasin doesn’t actually tell us how much power their two-stroke conversion will make. Considering the modern four-stroke CRF450 makes within the same ballpark of the old CR500 two-strokes, we’d expect peak power to be roughly equivalent. The difference is how that power is delivered.

The T500 modification is completely reversible. If you want to go back to sensible, predictable four-stroke power, you can do so. It requires no frame cuts, and you can order the kit as a DIY solution for 8,500 euros (or about $9,000 USD). Obviously, the price rises if you ask for the optional modified gearbox, and if you want Tomasin to convert your engine for you, that’s extra money too—see more details here.

You can actually buy a complete, pre-built T500 from Tomasin, if you don’t want to muck around in your shop for weeks on the conversion. Photo: Tomasin

Alternatively, if you want to buy the whole T500 two-stroke machine as an over-the-counter, ready-to-ride package, Tomasin will do that for you as well. For 15,570 euros (or about $16,000 USD), you can get a pre-built T500. All you have to do is pay, pick up, and ride (and hang on). It does not appear the pre-assembled T500 motorcycle will come with any suspension upgrades or other changes except for the engine conversion, a graphics kit and a flashy new set of rims if you want to pay extra.

Curious? Inspired? Scared? For more deets, check out Tomasin’s website here.

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