KDX 200 or a KTM 200

[factoryX]

http://onlytrailbikes.com/2010/10/07/kawasaki-kdx-200-vs-ktm-200-exc/

[gpnewhouse7]

I am a 200 EXC rider myself and quite honestly cannot fault it however mine is relatively new (2008) and was always very well looked after from new and a lot of people have found the KTM's to be very unreliable (I know my 03 125 SX definitely was ) so I would say either get a relatively newish KTM that's been well looked after or if there are none in your price range then get a KDX though I haven't had one or even ridden one of those tbh but I would assume them to be more reliable.

Your choice the EXC is great but MUST be well looked after.

[eprovenzano]

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..   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...  

[SachsGS]

I'd go KDX.I bet it wouldn't be long before he's on an EXC250.

[gpnewhouse7]

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..   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...  

Yeah plus I'm sure if the KDX is too slow there's ?go faster? parts available for them.

[Recovered]

Jeff Fredette.

[VintageBlueSmoke]

Jeff Fredette.

...not that any of us can ride like Fredette! He could make an "S Car Go!" Truely a unique man amoungst men.

[Coop]

I loved my '03 KDX200. Really great in the tight PA singletrack. I had NO problem keeping up with the FE390, YZ250 and WR360 I rode with until the trails opened up.

[eprovenzano]

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.    yes I'm cheap.

[twosmoke595]

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.    yes I'm cheap.

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

[eprovenzano]

Retail is $1,380...  We will now go to lower, thanks twosmoke595.  I never thought of checking the kelly blue book.

[twosmoke595]

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

[factoryX]

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.    yes I'm cheap.

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.

[twosmoke595]

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.    yes I'm cheap.

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

[factoryX]

True, but again it doesn't matter. The newer bike could have been ragged harder than the older bike. It all comes down to maintenance and upkeep.   And with KDX you barely have to do anything.

95 kdx200


07 kdx200