Two Stroke Motocross
Two Stroke Motocross Forum => Non-Moto => Topic started by: Coop on September 23, 2010, 02:10:59 PM
-
Brought home the 2003 KDX200 today. After just a quick spin on it once I got it home I realized I am going to like it a lot better than the 125. Needs some tinkering and maintenance but nothing major. Most of it is stuff I do anyway when I first buy a bike. I did manage to already break the ball off the clutch lever already when I tried to straighten it. Bent levers really annoy me LOL.
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f190/SVCoop/KDX200/KDX-1.jpg)
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f190/SVCoop/KDX200/KDX-2.jpg)
-
Congrats ;D
-
Thanks. I seriously think I am losing the tail light and that huge rear fender, it doesn't work anyway (I haven't even looked into why because I really don't care lol). I'm thinking about keeping the headlight though.
-
If you heat the lever with a butane/propane torch and apply pressure at the same time it's relatively easy to straighten them out.
-
Congrats Coop. I think you will like the 200 as well. My KTM does not have a headlight, but... its in the near future plan to be added. It would make it nice to be able to make it back to the truck when it get dark.
-
Wow! Nice looking machine.
You will enjoy that bike, it is absolutely the perfect small bore trail bike.
Congratulations!!
-
Thanks guys. I am going riding tomorrow so I will be able to give it a proper test. The more I think about it the more I think I am keeping the headlight for sure, not so sure about the tail light.
Sachs I was using my propane torch, I have straightened dozens of levers (I'm cheap lol). But this one was curled around pretty good and snapped before I got it all the way straight. I think with the ball gone it will work better with my barkbusters anyway.
-
Nice looking trail bike, surprised about the conventional forks though!
The frame has extra tubing comming out the side, is that for when you're low riding and you can put your feet there and lean back? Need to get one of those old tall chopper seats! :) j/k
-
I think that was Kawasaki's attempt at a built in bash guard kind of. I plan to get a proper skid plate eventually LOL.
So the taillight was just a blown bulb and the headlight bulb is blown too. I had a 1056 here but don't have whatever type of bulb this headlight one is. The button in the bars sticks you have to manually pull it back out. But once you hear it click you can push it in and the taillights work. So I will get a headlight bulb tonight or tomorrow to check that.
-
You can get a KX style rear fender that bolts straight on.
-
Great looking bike, wish I had one to ride.also, if I remember correctly the one of the best pipes for the kdx is a modified stock one.
Never mind wrong year:
http://www.dirtrider.net/justkdx/pipe.html (http://www.dirtrider.net/justkdx/pipe.html)
-
Nice clean bike. Can't go wrong with the KDX it's bullet proof.
Ditch all the lights and horn and other junk off it put a KX front number board and rear guard on her.
You'll really notice the difference in the steering when you take all that crap off the triple clamps.
I'd leave the exhaust stock and see if you reckon you need more power. KDX's are really quiet and it'd be a shame to ruin that on a trailbike.
-
Sweet bike Coop! 8)
-
Yeah the bike is so nice and quiet I don't plan to mess with the exhaust anytime soon. I like quiet bikes :D
-
Well I spent about 3 hours on it today and I love it!! I thought I liked trail riding my old 125, but this KDX is so smooth and has great power for our tight, technical trails, that even when I was exhausted towards the end I was still smiling :)
Normally the guys I ride with (2005 YZ250, 2006 WR360) usually have to wait for me at every hill and every time they turned around today to check on me I was right on their wheel. Very confidence inspiring.
Once I get the suspension set up for my weight I think it will even more fun.
-
Coop did you find the additional low end torque of the 200 more user friendly especially coming of the 125? From my (limited) experience the 200 is a begging to be ridden on the pipe like a 125, but with a little more low end lorque to help over come mistakes. For those that like the smaller bores, the 200 is a win / win... I guess that's why KTM sells a bunch of 200's... 8)
-
On the subject of more "grunt" it always puzzled me why Kawasaki brought out the KDX220? ::)
-
Coop,
Have you checked out Jeff Fredette's web site for modifications you may want to do in the future to the KDX?
Jeff Fredette is the authority on KDX's.
Just a thought.
Lyle
-
Coop did you find the additional low end torque of the 200 more user friendly especially coming of the 125? From my (limited) experience the 200 is a begging to be ridden on the pipe like a 125, but with a little more low end lorque to help over come mistakes. For those that like the smaller bores, the 200 is a win / win... I guess that's why KTM sells a bunch of 200's... 8)
Yes it was very easy to use. Those guys used to leave me behind and have to wait up. Saturday they kept looking back and shaking their heads because I was right there. They are fast guys too both either still race (YZ250) or have raced (Husky 360) MX and off-road for a long time. It doesn't as feel as fast as my 125 but that is because it is so smooth, it doesn't have a real hard hit like an MX two stroke does. But I am going easily twice as fast on it as I was through the technical sections and difficult climbs that my 125 really struggled on.
Everybody I talk to that has owned or ridden both tell me they prefer the 200, so I am not sure what void the 220 really filled?
I have checked out Fredette's site and kdxrider.net. Both have given me more ideas than I have money ;D
-
Yeah, its nice. I actually wouldn't mind have one. I've ridden a KDX 200 before and liked it a bunch. My ultimate bike would be to have that motor in a KX125 frame. Heck, I would have that motor in any 125 frame if I could wedge it in.
-
Yeah, its nice. I actually wouldn't mind have one. I've ridden a KDX 200 before and liked it a bunch. My ultimate bike would be to have that motor in a KX125 frame. Heck, I would have that motor in any 125 frame if I could wedge it in.
Trust me, last winter I saw two different KX125 rollers on our local c'list cheap. I have already been searching in case one comes up again :D . That would make a nice winter project.
-
Really nice score Coop. You should have a lot of fun on it. BTW, I hate bent levers too. It always amazes me how they can bend to the point of looking like ram horns, but you can't bend them back even a hair without heat. Go figure.
-
That's one versatile bike...probably one of the most versatile bikes out there. You can stick a newbie on it, and it'll be fun from the start. Put an advanced rider on it, and it'll give them a smile from ear to ear.
I'd love to pick up one. I gotta get rid of my kid's YZ85 first, though. That baby's collecting dust, and it is definitely NOT the bike you want to put your new girlfriend on. I let two of my girlfriends ride it, and it threw both of them to the ground! I almost felt sorry for them, but I was too busy checking to see if the bike was damaged....lol
-
Thanks you two.
I have F/R wheel bearings and fork seals coming. Plus I plan to check and grease all the external bearings the day I do the seals. I also already have a nice list of mods I'd like to do over winter if I get the extra cash.
I did change the bars and grips, plus added the MSR D-flector aluminum bark busters with shields that were on my 125. The bars are just cheapos, but I had to change them because they ones on it were welded shut on the ends so I couldn't use my hand guards.
-
I wonder if anyone has combined a grenaded KX250f and a KDX200 ala Service Honda? I've ridden stock KDXs and really enjoy them but if a guy wanted to get fancy....
-
I don't know about the KXF but I know a lot of guys buy 125's and do what's called a hybrid by KDX owners/fans. Last year I saw two rollers for around $200 and I hope to find one this winter. It would be a fun project.
-
On the subject of more "grunt" it always puzzled me why Kawasaki brought out the KDX220? ::)
The 220 has more bottom end but less on top.Both good,able woods bikes nonetheless-once you open them up.Bone stock they run like there's a rag in the airbox.
-
Mine is pretty much stock (has an aluminum throttle tube, only "mod" that I know of haha) and though it doesn't "feel" fast because it doesn't have that big hit MX bikes have, I have no trouble keeping up with faster bikes in the woods. If we hit open ground the YZ250 and Husky 360 would easily leave me. But is the super tight PA woods it makes about perfect power for going fast and aggravating those guys because every time they look back and I am right there still LOL.
I have a few mods in mind, but replacing the stock silencer is not one of them. I love how quiet this bike is. I plan to start with the suspension.
-
Suspension is always an excellent idea.Th stock silencer is quiet but terribly restrictive.I'd buy a quiet aftermarket(but keep the stock pipe),throw the airbox lid,install a set of boyesen reeds,jet down a couple sizes and away you go.My bro in law bought one new and I found that stock,it would just barely start to climb in to the power and it would fall flat.Once I did the above,the power was very good and clean and ran like it should.Moreover,it didn't make it at all like an mx bike,very manageable,better in the slow stuff but the power was there when you wanted it.Whatever you decide,they are a great woods bike and very raceable as well.
-
It's funny you say that about the silencer. On the one popular kdx site they suggest the opposite. That is they say replace the pipe but keep the stock silencer LOL.
If my back is up to it I have considered racing some woods next season with my friend (YZ250 I normally ride with) and his grandson.
-
You realize of course that if I say one thing and all the experts say another-that I'm obviously right :D but yeah,I always see that recommendation as well.
Truthfully though,I'd do as I did-for these reasons:
For max power you'd toss them both,for the most power while being quiet-change the pipe.For good power that doesn't alter the bikes manageability and character unless twisted and good durability,change the muffler.
The muffler has no packing but is a mechanical.(automotive type)
The pipe doesn't bear that much resemblance to your typical expansion chamber and loses power because of it-BUT-it is far more tucked in than anything you'll replace it with,is made of heavy gauge steel and moreover than that-it's double walled and virtually indestructible-and I'd be loath to toss it.
If you enjoy the character of the bike at woods speeds as it sits but would like to be able to hang with your buddies when the trail opened up,I'd go with the mods mentioned above(reeds,box lid etc).I guarantee you'll be real happy.FMF Q is what we put on my bro in laws.
-
Ford if you keep on like that ("I'm obviously right") you know you will have your day pass privileges revoked! :D
-
Oh come sachs,throw me a bone.I'm never right at home.At least let me think I'm right somewhere-once maybe :D Now then, must go check myself back in before I'm missed ???
-
:D :D
I am going to do some suspension work, and maybe a few little power "mods" over winter. I am seriously considering the Rob Black head and carb mods. I hear they really open up the KDX. I don't know how soon I will mess with the exhaust because I love how quiet it is. I am a proponent of quiet bikes. Makes it nice when I get antsy to ride and hit the few short trails around the neighborhood. I live in a small community in the woods known as "Bear Rocks". It used to be a ski resort and most of the houses here were camps, chalet's, cabins, (whatever you want to call them) back in the day for the richy ski folks when they came up on the weekends. You can still find the lodge and slopes if you go exploring.
If/when I go with an after-market exhaust it will be an FMF 'Q' Silencer/SA and a "Woods" pipe.
-
I've ridden modified KDX's over the years and sometimes wonder if it might have been better just to get a Gas Gas or KTM 200. I think the KDX is an excellent machine (and I can't understand why Kawasaki discontinued the bike) but I would be cautious of "pushing the bike outside of it's design parameters". The euro bikes come stock with more rigid chassis, higher spec brakes etc. and might be cheaper and better in the long run if you go the performance route. I do understand that if you are a Kawasaki fan the fun in modifying the bike.
Ford, my better half is great but I try to keep, at all times, at LEAST a 1000 km's between my mother in law and myself! Life is vastly more peaceful then. :o
-
I think Jeff Fredette proved for years they can be raced at pro levels :D
But of course if I find a 1999-2002 KX125 rolling chassis I wouldn't turn it down for a KX-DX Hybrid build :)
-
The KTM's and Gassers are more hard edged but when you've beaten yourself to death and just need to sit down and limp towards the finish,there's few more comfy places than the seat of a KDX.
-
All Maico pilots are Olympic caliber warriors, please explain this concept of "sit down and limp towards the finish line"?
-
All Maico pilots are Olympic caliber warriors, please explain this concept of "sit down and limp towards the finish line"?
No problememo; First you need to start with a bike that has a hope of at least getting off the start line.Once you get that far let me know and I'll gladly explain the finish line part. :)
-
dude gold valves, spring, a pipe and spark arrestor, and that thing will be the best trail ride since, well your bike with those mods.
-
Haha yeah as I get the cash I plan to do work on setting it up nicely. For now I am broke and just plan to jet it properly, and replace the fork seals and oil (shock too).
I pulled my forks the other day so I can replace the oil/seals, pulled the pipe so I can clean and paint it (I can't afford a new one anytime soon), and pulled the carb so I clean and re-jet it. My back was really bothering me at this point so I only go the stuff taken off and then I had to quit. I want to pull the triples to check/grease those bearings, as well as pull the shock and swingarm to get those bearings. This bike shows signs of some neglect as far as this type of maintenance goes so I figured now is a good to time to tear down and replace anything needed.
I realized the snorkel has been removed from the airbox and it is jetted rich: 160 main, 48 pilot, and 1172 needle in middle slot. No wonder the plug was so grungy.
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f190/SVCoop/KDX200/2011-01-1420102733.jpg)
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f190/SVCoop/KDX200/2011-01-1420104201.jpg)
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f190/SVCoop/KDX200/2011-01-1420104828.jpg)
-
you probly threw out your back picking up that muffler, :P it and the pipe together weigh 50lbs.
The 220 was created so that KDX guys can run in the 250 open class legally. I has just a little more oomph in the low and mid.
The FMF Gnarly Pipe and Q are a great choice for this bike Coop, I know a guy that has that setup on his 200, he's real happy with it.
my riding buddy has the 220, he put the PC2 and PC sparkarrestor on it, great performance, I ride it all the time, before and after the install, it friggin rips now, still really quiet, I hardly noticed the difference in sound output, but that might be because he's always eating my dust,lol. He also installed the race tech gold valves, man let me tell you how much better that bike is now.(Speechless) :o
I put the Q on my Daughters kx100 it is really quiet.
Of course I bought the T2 for mine before the Q was out.
-
I bet a kx125/200 is looking real good right about now...
(http://i52.tinypic.com/2lie8o1.jpg)
I so want one..
-
Dude that's sweet!!!!! is that a 2004 kx125 frame, w/ 2011 front plastic? More pics pleeeeez!!!!
-
not mine, found it off of google, it was the only pic of it on there or I would have "borrowed" more.. ;D
Found a thread on more builds including that one I believe:
http://www.dirtrider.net/forums3/showthread.php?t=163605 (http://www.dirtrider.net/forums3/showthread.php?t=163605)
-
Haha lifting that pipe and two back surgeries are a bad combo :-). That FMF pipe setup you mentioned is the one I want to get when I can afford it. For now this stocker has to go back on.
Lots of KX- KDX hybrids on kdxrider.net. If I ever find a cheap 125 roller I hope to grab it up.
-
Kawasaki KDX 220 KX-DX 220r Hybrid KX 125 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk0kC78h-qg#ws)
-
Nice riding gear :o The bike sounds nice though 8)
-
I'm completely sold, I will make one. I was looking for a bike I could both trail ride and take it to my friends track and still have fun, this fits perfectly.
-
Trust me I am always on the lookout for. 99-02KX roller. Last winter a guy sold a 1999 KX125 locally minus engine and exhaust for $100. I'll never find a deal like that again now that I have a KDX haha.
-
there was an 03 rm125 roller here for $300 last summer...
-
why is it so hard to register onto kdxrider.net?
-
I don't remember having a problem? It's been awhile though since I joined. They have a forum dedicated to hybrids, good stuff :) .
-
Ha, going to check out a kdx tomorrow.
-
Ha, going to check out a kdx tomorrow.
:D
-
Got it.
(http://i52.tinypic.com/2he8vg8.jpg)
-
Nice. ;D
Enjoy.
-
I'm pretty sure you can still get purple fenders for it, and a white gilbi headlight :)
-
Very nice!
-
Figured I would update this with some things I did over the winter.
I re-jetted the carb and changed the fork seals. Added heavier oil and neoprene "seal savers" since my old boots were beat. I added fork bleeders when I had the caps off. I painted the pipe too:
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f190/SVCoop/KDX200/KDX-4.jpg)
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f190/SVCoop/bleeders.jpg)
I also changed the pegs for some wider ones (just eBay cheapos but much better than stock):
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f190/SVCoop/pegs2.jpg)
Then I added some frame guards. I would have preferred black, but I got these for $5 :D:
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f190/SVCoop/KDX-5.jpg)
Then I decided I didn't like the OEM rear fender so I butchered up a KX fender. Since I also made it a dual sport, I added a Polisport brake/tail light. This looks a lot better I think:
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f190/SVCoop/KDX200/KDX-7.jpg)
Since I have no way to haul the bike right now and the riding club I belong to is only 15 minutes away I made the bike street legal. It is bare minimum stuff to be legal and all powered off the stator. I have to add a horn yet because the horn needs DC and I powered everything off the stator because I didn't want the weight of a battery. That is why I used all LED's, low power draw.
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f190/SVCoop/KDX-6.jpg)
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f190/SVCoop/KDX200/KDX-12.jpg)
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f190/SVCoop/KDX200/KDX-13.jpg)
-
Oh yeah, I straightened the handguards out since those pictures. I had to lower the brake side to clear the hydraulic brake switch I added and I forgot to lower the clutch side when I took the pics. I also changed the front tire for a DOT Scorpion XC and the spooned on a DOT trials tire on the rear. I got both tires for free and the trials is a just a cheapo Shinko or something, but figured I would try it for free :D .
-
Looks good Coop, LED is the way to go. Just get one of these.
(http://www.worldofstock.com/slides/PAB2182.jpg)
Did your brother ever make that move to Florida?
I got a call about my RM8 from a guy that just moved to Naples from Pennsylvania.
-
No, after I sold that KX60 because they sold everything they owned and were "100% moving" they decided to stay in PA :( . The house they are in now the owner offered to sell to them at a very good price so now they are staying in Pa.
You need to save that picture at photobucket or something, hotlinking is a big no-no with many sites and servers ;D .
-
Ah, you saw it now, that's what matters, if it gets pulled later, oh well.
Glad to hear your brother got a break. 8)
It was just weird when the guy said that he was from PA. I immediately thought of your KX60 post.
Someone stole his son's 2010 RM85 out of the back of his truck right before they moved down here. I hope he buys it, My daughter looks like an elephant on a tricycle riding it ;D, he and his son are sposed to come up Saturday night after the Jacksonville SuperCross to look at it.
-
Ah, you saw it now, that's what matters, if it gets pulled later, oh well.
Actually I didn't. It's a big error picture saying hotlinking is illegal. That's how I knew you hotlinked it ;D ;D ;D
-
oh :-[
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b243/myckmcclung/bikehorn.jpg)
-
LOL no sweat Myck.
I was expecting it to be a picture of that style of horn. That is actually what I am going to use because it's legal. Really I doubt I will ever use it other than at inspections so I am fine with that. Plus it's a good conversation piece :) .
-
Theres a guy around here that has one on his 1980 something wr200, it's the funniest thing to see him passing some kid on a thumper doing a one handed wheelie "oonka ooonka"
-
That's awesome.
-
Lol,as I was scrolling down through your pics I got to the one with the squigly blocking your plate and thought-wtf is hanging off the back?-then I realized what it was ;D looks good 8)
-
Lol,as I was scrolling down through your pics I got to the one with the squigly blocking your plate and thought-wtf is hanging off the back?-then I realized what it was ;D looks good 8)
LOL I am not sure why I blocked the plate off like that. I don't usually do that. Thanks though.