Post by: eprovenzano on April 08, 2012, 10:57:05 PM
He liked the TTR, loved the elec start. The KX had been lowered and since he is height challenged, he really liked the bike. He liked the 250F, but after I explained the potential costs if something went BOOM, he's thinking smoker... Plus as he stated, you can't beat the smell of premix... He thinks the 300 is perfect for riders like me... you know our kind, a few bricks shy of a load... way too much bike for him.
He's asked me for suggestions for a solid bike. We're not going to be spending a ton of money, I'm thinking in the neighborhood of $1,300 to $1,800. The bikes that come to mind are the KDX 200, 220, and the KTM 200. I'm a KTM guy, but I'm leaning towards the KDX. I know he's going to be riding with his son, and at times with the old folks..
He may "play" on a track from time to time, but nothing serious. I don't think the demand for the KDX is as strong as for the KTM, and we should be able to get a gently used bike at a good price. But the KTM 200's are such nice woods weapons.Please give me your opinions. thanks
Post by: scotty dog on April 08, 2012, 11:01:59 PM
Post by: factoryX on April 08, 2012, 11:24:19 PM
Post by: cnrcpla on April 08, 2012, 11:27:00 PM
Post by: xandyx on April 08, 2012, 11:43:50 PM
i have a friend who had a kdx200 and that bike has tons of power, amazing bottom end power..
each of them would be a good choice!
Post by: MyckMcClung on April 09, 2012, 12:05:25 AM
The KTM is a solid woods weapon as well, quite a bit more modern design, but also in that price range is gonna have to be a late 90's early 2000s model that will probably be a clapped out turd.
So with the entry budget as low as it is, I would suggest the KDX, due to the ease of finding parts and the lower cost of parts replacement.
Post by: eprovenzano on April 09, 2012, 12:27:00 AM
With the entry budget as low as it is, I would suggest the KDX, due to the ease of finding parts and the lower cost of parts replacement.
I agree but I don't want some one spending too much money on their 1st bike... I'd rather they get a solid reliable bike, then they'll get hooked (like us) but when its time for their 2nd bike drop then drop the coin. As much as I'd like to push him toward a Katoom, I'm thinking a good 1st bike would be the KDX. I'm doing the research and the window shopping as he has no idea what he needs, nor the prices of the bikes. I'd love to find a KDX 220, but a 200 will be just fine. He hasn't given me a budget yet, as his wife has not given him the budgetary figure.. He does have her permission, but not the $$$ just yet..
I'm guessing as to the budget, I think I'm on the low side, but I'm also trying to leave room for required items, like tires, grips, hand guards, wheel and linkage bearings, etc.
Post by: Recovered on April 09, 2012, 12:44:23 AM
Post by: factoryX on April 09, 2012, 03:04:57 AM
Post by: eprovenzano on April 09, 2012, 04:05:23 AM
Post by: ridered125 on April 09, 2012, 04:15:35 AM
The KDX is the best pick for the guy ou describe. It's shorter, requires less maintenance, is in his price range, and they are a super woods bike.
The KTM, if it hasn't been detuned some, can be salty for a beginner. They have a strong mid-range punch, much more than a TTR.
Post by: factoryX on April 09, 2012, 05:18:54 AM
Post by: twosmoke595 on April 09, 2012, 05:25:06 AM
Post by: riffraff on April 09, 2012, 06:03:30 AM
Post by: VintageBlueSmoke on April 09, 2012, 09:05:43 AM
I know you said NO XR's but you really can't go wrong there. When you look up Reliability in the dictionary, there is usually a picture of an XR.
Your friend might also consider vintage stuff depending on his perchance for addiction.
Post by: factoryX on April 09, 2012, 09:58:03 AM
Post by: gpnewhouse7 on April 09, 2012, 01:13:40 PM
Your choice the EXC is great but MUST be well looked after.
Post by: eprovenzano on April 09, 2012, 01:23:20 PM
So he needs a bike to handle both worlds. Again I'm still leaning towards a KDX, but if I find the right Katoom ... I appreciate the opinions; I feel better recommending a KDX. I've never ridden one, so I wanted to get the boards opinion. Based on the research I feel it may be the way to go. In the end, it?s going to come down to what we can find, and what he is willing to spend. When it comes to buying used bikes, I like to keep a few dollars back as we all know some things will need to be replaced, tires, grips, etc. I'm not overly concerned about cosmetic graphics as I am about the mechanical parts of the bike.
One thing is for certain (if I have anything to say about it), he will be on a smoker...
Post by: SachsGS on April 09, 2012, 03:41:02 PM
Post by: gpnewhouse7 on April 09, 2012, 04:16:58 PM
Based on your replies, I think you can see my problem. He can ride fairly well, especially being off a bike for so long, so a KTM would not be an issue.... but he will be riding with his young son, and I foresee some tough single track in his future..
I appreciate the opinions; I feel better recommending a KDX. I've never ridden one, so I wanted to get the boards opinion. Based on the research I feel it may be the way to go. In the end, it?s going to come down to what we can find, and what he is willing to spend. When it comes to buying used bikes, I like to keep a few dollars back as we all know some things will need to be replaced, tires, grips, etc. I'm not overly concerned about cosmetic graphics as I am about the mechanical parts of the bike.
One thing is for certain (if I have anything to say about it), he will be on a smoker...
Yeah plus I'm sure if the KDX is too slow there's ?go faster? parts available for them.
Post by: Recovered on April 09, 2012, 04:19:57 PM
Post by: VintageBlueSmoke on April 09, 2012, 05:07:51 PM
Jeff Fredette.
...not that any of us can ride like Fredette! He could make an "S Car Go!" Truely a unique man amoungst men.
Post by: Coop on April 09, 2012, 06:50:48 PM
Post by: eprovenzano on April 09, 2012, 07:25:02 PM
yes I'm cheap.
Post by: twosmoke595 on April 09, 2012, 07:36:40 PM
I knew you'd chime in sooner or later Coop, I appreciate the info. I have found a 2000 KDX 200, the forks have been switched to KX 250 forks, FMF pipe, new tires, chain and sprockets, over sized tank, plus a few other goodies. Asking $1,800, I'm thinking $1,400.
14 is about what that thing is worth to begin with, what i always do is go to kellybluebook .com and price the bikes from there
like go to retail price on what a new 2000 kdx would be right now on the showroom and then knock at least a couple hundy off of that price
Post by: eprovenzano on April 09, 2012, 07:51:00 PM
Post by: twosmoke595 on April 09, 2012, 07:53:32 PM
Retail is $1,380... We will now go to lower, thanks twosmoke595. I never thought of checking the kelly blue book.
ya everytime i go to look at a bike, i bring the kbb prices with me to show them what their bike would be brand new, its usually way lower than their asking price, and then they realize that they're asking way to much, its pretty effective
Post by: factoryX on April 09, 2012, 11:42:45 PM
I knew you'd chime in sooner or later Coop, I appreciate the info. I have found a 2000 KDX 200, the forks have been switched to KX 250 forks, FMF pipe, new tires, chain and sprockets, over sized tank, plus a few other goodies. Asking $1,800, I'm thinking $1,400.Really good deal, it will cost about $500-$800 just to do all that, and the KDX benefits greatly with the USD forks. KBB doesn't work with the KDX, 95-07 kdx200 are exactly the same no different. And even the older KDX's are hard to value due to them being great bikes as well.
Post by: twosmoke595 on April 09, 2012, 11:45:57 PM
I knew you'd chime in sooner or later Coop, I appreciate the info. I have found a 2000 KDX 200, the forks have been switched to KX 250 forks, FMF pipe, new tires, chain and sprockets, over sized tank, plus a few other goodies. Asking $1,800, I'm thinking $1,400.Really good deal. KBB doesn't work with the KDX, 95-07 kdx200 are exactly the same no different. And even the older KDX's are hard to value due to them being great bikes as well.
yes but just because they're basically the same bike doesn't mean they're all worth the same amount, a 2 year newer bike is still 2 years newer, which makes it a little more valuable than the bike that is 2 years older
Post by: factoryX on April 09, 2012, 11:46:58 PM
And with KDX you barely have to do anything. 
95 kdx200
07 kdx200
Post by: Coop on April 10, 2012, 11:47:14 AM
14 is about what that thing is worth to begin with, what i always do is go to kellybluebook .com and price the bikes from there
like go to retail price on what a new 2000 kdx would be right now on the showroom and then knock at least a couple hundy off of that price
I am not sure where you are from, but in this area of the country bikes seem to all be over priced and they still sell. I seldom, if ever, see a bike actually listed near a KBB value and trying to use that value to get the seller to come down only works if they are desperate for cash. I have no idea why in a region where we lose so many months of riding to winter that bikes prices are so high, but that's how it is.
Post by: LukeDuke25 on April 10, 2012, 02:13:24 PM
it seems that the KDX is the way to go. Look around, deals can be had.Post by: MyckMcClung on April 10, 2012, 04:22:49 PM
Also, you may be getting snookered on the OS tank, the stocker holds almost 3 gallons. IMS does make one that holds 3.4 and comes with it's own shrouds, here's a link to a pic of it
http://www.imsproducts.com/Backgrounds/110shadow.png
My buddy's KDX220 will get about 80 miles on the stock tank, and that's at race pace.
It sounds like a good find, just make sure you get the stock parts with it in the deal.
Post by: factoryX on April 10, 2012, 09:43:47 PM
On your find, The KX fork "upgrade" is only an upgrade if the fork is from a 2002 up.
, 46mm kyb's are definitely an upgrade on the KDX.
Post by: beaner on April 11, 2012, 12:52:11 AM
Post by: factoryX on April 11, 2012, 01:04:12 AM
Post by: riffraff on April 11, 2012, 04:43:17 AM
this one's on CL for $995
Post by: beaner on April 11, 2012, 01:36:05 PM
But with the klx300 forks internally they are the same as KDX forks, and at that point since your not hauling as on it, it would be kind of pointless.
So are you telling me it was a pointless swap too?
Post by: MyckMcClung on April 11, 2012, 02:00:23 PM
Post by: factoryX on April 11, 2012, 04:06:20 PM
Post by: Nooft1187 on April 12, 2012, 05:05:32 AM
Post by: juliend on April 12, 2012, 12:56:07 PM
my point to the fork upgrade statement I made was that you can put a better fork on the bike, but you're gonna have to re spring and revalve both ends to get it to work right, so the swap in itself is not really an upgrade.
I'll assume you're not all that familiar with the KDX. It's horribly unbalanced from the factory, with the rear spring and valving being good for a rider up to about 180-200lbs, while the forks are sprung for riders up to about 125lbs and soft as hell, with no rebound adjustment. Not sure why they did that, but most USD fork swaps get you closer to right than the factory setup. If it had the stock forks, new springs would be needed at a minimum, regardless. So yes, the fork swap is definitely an "upgrade". I guess Kawi was thinking about this being an entry level trail bike and ridden slowly by most riders, so they made the front forks as soft and plush as possible. I don't know.
Post by: MyckMcClung on April 12, 2012, 05:55:33 PM
But like I was saying about the upgrade...
Yes: an inverted fork is a more modern design and more adjustable, the spring rate from any KX is probably closer to the shock on the KDX
price though is what I'm debating
Stock KDX revalve with valve emulators and springs cost him $550
set of KX forks with clamps and a front wheel used on ebay will run about $400-500+, then the revalvin to match up both ends another $300+/-
So really I suppose it's one of those "eyes of the beholder" things
Post by: factoryX on April 13, 2012, 12:25:40 AM
Post by: SachsGS on April 13, 2012, 03:31:12 PM
Post by: eprovenzano on April 21, 2012, 08:52:05 PM
I'm disappointed to say he bought an 07 YZF 250. I tried to explain the issues, but in the end he wanted a stroker... Sorry guys I tried but some people have to learn the hard way...I did take it for a spin up and down the road... this was my 1st ride on a 250F... I was not impressed. I like a little kick in the pants when a smoker hits the powerband.. Yes the power is smooth, but to me boring.
Oh well to each his own. I'll stay on a smoker.
Post by: gpnewhouse7 on April 21, 2012, 09:40:46 PM
Post by: TMKIWI on April 21, 2012, 11:26:53 PM
It's only when you rev have the crap out of them (racing) that things turn south.
Post by: Recovered on April 22, 2012, 01:08:34 AM
Post by: cnrcpla on April 22, 2012, 01:52:01 AM
Quote
Insert QuoteYeah, but like it was said, some people have to learn the hard way. Not to mention, the sooner it blows, the sooner he can move on to a smoker
a 5 yr old Fbomb is just asking for it.
Post by: factoryX on April 22, 2012, 02:23:20 AM
Post by: cnrcpla on April 22, 2012, 02:29:09 AM
Post by: factoryX on April 22, 2012, 03:32:20 AM
Post by: gpnewhouse7 on April 23, 2012, 11:14:08 PM
Or buys a kdx 200 motor and puts it in the yzf rollerThat sounds like one epic enduro bike especially if the suspension was set up right for him.
Post by: cnrcpla on April 23, 2012, 11:33:45 PM
Quote
That sounds like one epic enduro bike especially if the suspension was set up right for him.Yes it does... Anyone have those two components kicking around somewhere?
