Motori Minarelli reveal a Yamaha-based 300cc fuel injected two-stroke concept engine “specifically for enduro” at the EICMA International Motorcycle Show.

Enduro21 hopped over to Italy this week to check what’s new in the off-road world (in Europe at least) with a trip to Milan and the EICMA motorcycle show. Truth is it wasn’t as big as previous years and with many manufacturers including the KTM group, Beta, TM and Sherco not present, there was less for Enduro21 to get our teeth into.

But we did spot this little gem however which cropped up almost as a by-the-by addition to a presentation of Fantic’s new Rally bike.

This two-stroke fuel injected engine is a concept which Minarelli are developing with the plan “to put into production by 2024”. As such it is worth pointing out you are looking at just that, a concept, which is to say not even at the prototype stage yet. Clearly however it is well beyond the drawing board and stood in Milan here in a showcase with a serious view to go into production, most likely in the Fantic XE model range.

Now in its 70th year, Motori Minerelli is owned by the Yamaha Motor Europe and Fantic Motor who work in partnership, hence the Fantic using the WR and YZ engine and chassis platforms.

Motori Minarelli are an Italian engine and e-mobility specialist who develop and produce components which Yamaha and Fantic use in their ranges.

Specifically designed for enduro

Motori Minarelli’s press release from the EICMA show explains the engine is “a single-cylinder, 300cc two-stroke with electronic injection and electric start, specifically designed to equip enduro racing bikes.”

Encouragingly they say the project objectives of the new 300cc, 2T FI are “explosiveness and great acceleration, ensuring absolute performance off-road.” They talk about a mechanical decompression system “for reduction at the moment of start-up” to ensure consistency in restarting, plus “an innovative exhaust valve will optimize performance at low-medium RPM.”

The Dellorto throttle body might look familiar to any KTM TPI owner but the angle at which it sits and enters the cylinder head is not and this is apparently not just a mock-up in that regard. “This is the angle where we think it should be for optimum performance”, a spokesperson for Minarelli explained to Enduro21 at the show.

Sounds interesting to say the least. Bring it on Minarelli.

Photo Credit: Enduro21 | Andrea Belluschi