Okiewan

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KDX200VS KDX220
Written By: MnKDX'er (Joe Berscheid)

Welcome to the 200 vs. 220 KDX Show Down. This is a comparison between the two bikes in both stock and modified. With this article, I hope to share my own experiences with these two bikes, and help you decide which bike is the best choice for you.

I have either personally owned the described bike as equipped, or have ridden that particular set-up for long enough to collect a lasting impression. For your reference, I am a middle-of-the-pack Vet A tight-woods rider, 5'-11" and 180#.

At The Dealer

The retail price is higher for the 220. For this higher price, you basically get an o-ring chain, and a larger bore engine. All other transmission, chassis, and suspension features are the same. The following is part of the Kawasaki spec sheet with differences highlighted in blue.


Kawasaki KDX 200

  1. Engine: type2-stroke single cylinder2-stroke single cylinder
  2. Displacement: 198cc
  3. Bore x Stroke: 66.0 x 58.0 mm
  4. Compression ratio: 7.9:1 (high speed) 9.4:1 (low speed)
  5. Carburetion: Keihin PWK35
  6. Induction: 6-petal reed valve
  7. Final Drive: Standard non O-Ring Chain
  8. Transmission: 6-speed
  9. Wheel travel Front: 11.4 in.
  10. Wheel Travel Rear: 11.8 in
  11. Ground Clearance: 13.4 in.
  12. Seat height: 36.2 in
  13. Dry weight:: 222.6 lbs.
  14. Fuel capacity: 2.9 gals
  15. MSRP Price: $3999


Kawasaki KDX 220

  1. Engine Type: 2-stroke single cylinder
  2. Displacement: 216cc
  3. Bore x Stroke: 69.0 x 58.0mm
  4. Compression Ratio: 7.2:1 (high speed) 9.3:1 (low speed)
  5. Carburetion: Keihin: Keihin PWK33
  6. Induction: 6-petal reed valve
  7. Final Drive: O-Ring Chain
  8. Transmission: 6-speed
  9. Wheel Travel Front: 11.4 in.
  10. Wheel Travel Rear: 11.8 in
  11. Ground clearance: 13.4 in.
  12. Seat height: 36.2 in
  13. Dry weight:: 222.6 lbs.
  14. Fuel capacity: 2.9 gals
  15. MSRP Price: $4349


You Want To Race?

Both bikes can be competitive in various forms of modification. Of course, the 200 will be legal for the 200cc class, which sometimes is not as competitive. However, the 220 will be either in the 250cc, or age (Vet, Senior, etc.) classes only. On a horsepower course, the 220 might have trouble against a 250cc bike. However, if the terrain tightens up, or as the rider becomes tired, the 220's manageable power will become an advantage over the typical MX bike. Keep in mind that few riders actually use the full power of a 250 MX bike, so the 220 is not necessarily outgunned.

Handling

The two bikes will handle very similar. The suspension settings will have the greatest effect on ride and handling. However, in some specific situations which I will note, one power delivery will have an advantage compared to the other.

Start 'em up. Stock vs. Stock

Noise level: Both bikes are stealth quiet. If you have a riding area that demands quiet, either of these two bikes are the ticket. The only dirt bike in modern existence that is quieter would probably be a stock 1992 YamahaWR200.

Engine Power in Bone-Stock Tune

KDX 200: If you plan to leave your bike absolutely stock, the 200 is the better all around terrain bike. Nice wide power spread with ample low end power and some upper rpm power available if you want to scream it out. Note that by "scream it", I mean relative to the 220. Compared to a typical 125, both the 200 and the 220 are low rpm torquers.

KDX 220: The 220 is a complete torque monster in stock form. It is the king of tight sections, the master of nasty conditions. If you want low end power, this baby has it, and lots of it. Probably an ideal bike for tight, rocky, hilly, terrain. The engine is so strong down low, it can be tough to stall. To pull a wheelie, shift up a gear. The 220 will easily pull a gear higher than the 200 in the same conditions, and probably needs to, as it does not turn nearly the revs as the stock 200.

Bring on the pipes and wake those KDX's up

(Note that all bikes described are with the stock porting.)

Kawasaki KDX 200

200 w/ FMF ( http://www.motosport.com/fmf-torque-pipe )Torque pipe w/ stock silencer. Instant improvement across the powerband with a nice upper rpm power boost, as well as extra rpms to the top of the powerband. By far, the best bang for the buck to get the 200 powered up. Bike retains most of its stealthness with a mild exhaust note from the single wall pipe.

Note- Adding a pipe to either the 200 or the 220 will help the rider to better deal with the soft front suspension as the bike will loft the front wheel much easier.

200 w/ torque pipe ( http://www.fmfracing.com/Products/MX/57 ) w/ aftermarket silencer. Same benefits as pipe only, but w/ a noticeable power increase at mid rpm, and slightly more on top. The mid rpm increase can be a mixed blessing; sometimes this extra power boost can actually make the bike harder to control in tight riding situations. Noise level depends on choice of silencer, which will be covered later.

200's Powerband w/ these mods- Strong off idle, then a little flat until a nice healthy mid range boost which transitions into a strong top end pull that flattens out almost a little early. An aftermarket silencer will add to the mid range boost and a bit to the top end power.

Gearing Changes- With the stock gearing, the piped 200 will seem to be a bit touchy about what gear it can pull. With a 50T or 51T rear, or a 12T front, the bike can be shifted early, and yet pull the next gear. Note that with a 49T, or larger, rear sprocket the chain will need to be lengthened, but the 12T can use the stock length 108 link chain. If you do use the 12T front, watch for swing arm buffer pad wear. http://www.motosport.com/fmf-fatty-pipe-powercore-2-silencer-combo

Kawasaki KDX 220

220 w/ torque pipe, stock carb, and aftermarket silencer- Nice power increase across the powerband similar to the 200, however the 220 still does not turn the revs that a 200 will spin happily. A good choice for a person who craves stump pulling power with a smooth transition to a strong midrange, but doesn't want yee-haw top end kick.

220 w/ torque pipe, bored carb, Reeds, and aftermarket silencer- Now we're talking a really nice wide-wide powerband! This is my own bike's set up, and I must admit that Ireally like the bike. The powerband begins considerably lower than a 200 w/similar mods, and yet will spin out to about the same top rpm levels as the 200. Although, it may feel like it could turn a few more revs, the powerband is so wide that you can shift early and still easily pull the next gear. Think of this set up as a 200 with a powerband that is twice as wide. This extra powerband width is most appreciated in tight woods sections, but is useful on an MX track as well. Note- Plan on adding the reeds if you bore the carb, or else the engine will lose the wonderful low end, right off idle, snap. However, with the reeds the low end power will be almost the same as with a 33mm carb.

220 (w/ bored carb, Reeds, and aftermarket silencer) Rev pipe, vs. Torque pipe- Comparing the rev pipe to the torque pipe, on this bike shows the rev pipe with a definite loss of low end power and a small increase in top end power. The engine will even sound different- it is quicker revving, and has much less throaty sounds at lower rpms. On the track, it is instantly noticed that the engine has lost some of its wonderful low end chug, but it does have a slightly increased and extended top end power. My opinion is that the small gain of top end power was not a good trade off for the loss of low end power. I would reccomend the torque pipe as the best all around pipe for a stock ported 220 w/ the mods described.

220 w/ Stock carb and Rev Pipe- I have not ridden an actual 220 w/ the rev pipe and the stock carb to speak with experience. However, based on the 220's powerband increase with the 35mm carb, I conclude that the 220 needs more airflow, not a higher rpm design pipe. Therefore, I would predict- with the stock carb, the torque pipe would produce more low end power, and comparable top end power to the rev pipe. My reasoning is that the engine has run out of air long before the torque pipe reaches the limit of its dynamics.

Gearing Changes- With the stock gearing, the 220 will pull each gear compentently, but the ratios will seem a bit too far apart under some conditions. With a 49T or 50T rear, the bike can be shifted early, and will easily pull the next gear. Note that with a 49T, or larger, rear sprocket the chain will need to be lengthened. I would avoid using the 12T front sprocket because the 220's strong low end power will put additional stress on the drive chain and chain life will suffer.

Kawasaki 200 and 220 Silencers' Noise Levels

If I were to rank the available SA silencers by noise level, they would be from quietest to loudest- Stock (quietest by far, but also the heaviest), Answer Qualifier (discontinued, but available), Pro Circuit SA, FMF PowerCoreII, and the loudest silencer is the (now discontinued) FMF ISDE. The Answer Qualifier has a strange attachment angle which reduces the clearance between the fender and the silencer, making it more difficult to lift the rear of the bike. Also, the Acerbis 035 is claimed to be a quiet muffler, but I have never seen or heard one, and Acerbis may have discontinued the production of the KDX application..

Good luck with your decision, if it says KDX you cant go too wrong!!
 

MoonStomper

Member
Sep 23, 2020
8
2
H Model KDX 200: If you have upgraded exhaust, porting and reeds…
Would suggest trying the 13/46 sprocket combo for hare scrambles. Makes 1st more usable and allows the bike to lug more in 2nd, still leaves plenty of power for 3rd and 4th. Turned mine into a hole shot contender.
 

Kaw4me

Member
Feb 15, 2010
113
5
Just my opinion but the 220 with a 70mm /1mm oversize piston , mild intake ports cleaned up , RB head and 35mm carb makes a grt set up. This takes the engine from 216cc to 223cc. An RB experimental head for 95 octane also helps the low end and fuel economy
 

Chuck78

Member
Feb 1, 2023
11
0
Kawasaki KDX 220

220 w/ torque pipe, stock carb, and aftermarket silencer- Nice power increase across the powerband similar to the 200, however the 220 still does not turn the revs that a 200 will spin happily. A good choice for a person who craves stump pulling power with a smooth transition to a strong midrange, but doesn't want yee-haw top end kick.

220 w/ torque pipe, bored carb, Reeds, and aftermarket silencer- Now we're talking a really nice wide-wide powerband! This is my own bike's set up, and I must admit that Ireally like the bike. The powerband begins considerably lower than a 200 w/similar mods, and yet will spin out to about the same top rpm levels as the 200. Although, it may feel like it could turn a few more revs, the powerband is so wide that you can shift early and still easily pull the next gear. Think of this set up as a 200 with a powerband that is twice as wide. This extra powerband width is most appreciated in tight woods sections, but is useful on an MX track as well. Note- Plan on adding the reeds if you bore the carb, or else the engine will lose the wonderful low end, right off idle, snap. However, with the reeds the low end power will be almost the same as with a 33mm carb.

220 (w/ bored carb, Reeds, and aftermarket silencer) Rev pipe, vs. Torque pipe- Comparing the rev pipe to the torque pipe, on this bike shows the rev pipe with a definite loss of low end power and a small increase in top end power. The engine will even sound different- it is quicker revving, and has much less throaty sounds at lower rpms. On the track, it is instantly noticed that the engine has lost some of its wonderful low end chug, but it does have a slightly increased and extended top end power. My opinion is that the small gain of top end power was not a good trade off for the loss of low end power. I would reccomend the torque pipe as the best all around pipe for a stock ported 220 w/ the mods described.

220 w/ Stock carb and Rev Pipe- I have not ridden an actual 220 w/ the rev pipe and the stock carb to speak with experience. However, based on the 220's powerband increase with the 35mm carb, I conclude that the 220 needs more airflow, not a higher rpm design pipe. Therefore, I would predict- with the stock carb, the torque pipe would produce more low end power, and comparable top end power to the rev pipe. My reasoning is that the engine has run out of air long before the torque pipe reaches the limit of its dynamics.


EXCELLENT INFO Okiewan! There are a lot of people who love spouting off that the 220 is bad with the woods pipe and must only run the desert pipe... I have a 36mm-bored Ron Black modded PWK35 Air Stryker Quad Vent for my first KDX which is awaiting rebuild. The top end wasn't as impressive as I'd hoped on that bike even when it had good compression, due to the stock carb being the limiting factor. The woods pipe would certainly accentuate the woods torque off idle for those who are looking for a tight technical rocky rooty rutted challenging terrain on a stock 220, but I think the key here is absolutely have Ron Black or Fredette or even Eric Gorr mod the head, run a KDX200 carb with a slide and needle change, or a PWK35 Air Stryker new with proper needle slide and jets, and either pipe will hugely benefit, and the Gnarly Woods (torque) pipe would be a smashing success in the TKO / Tough Like Rorr / Buffalo Mountain and Rockhouse Trail 199 type scenarios and anything comparably nasty and gnarly.

What is not mentioned here is that the not-currently-available Pro Circuit Platinum 2 pipe may be the best all around pipe for both the 200 and the 220, as many report that it took no top end off of the KDX vs the FMF Gnarly Desert (rev) pipe, and added a ton of mid range power and even more luggable bottom end vs the FMF Gnarly Desert... (all with a 35mm or 36mm carb upgrade).
 

Chuck78

Member
Feb 1, 2023
11
0
I'm currently running a different 220 with a modded head (unknown who did the work), V-Force3 reeds, a Lectron 34mm carb, and a Gnarly Desert (rev) pipe. It's really awesome but I still am after more luggable low end, so I'm looking to advocate enough requests of Pro Circuit's PK95200DP2 Platinum 2 pipe that they bump it up on the backlogged production list...

Also might even cut and weld my frame to run a slightly taller Showa shock like a DRZ400 (but in RM125 2001+ trim) which would then allow me to stuff a SmartCarb 36mm SC2 or similar metering rod carb into the KDX frame. The carbs currently hit the shock crossmember.

I'm trying to keep this very competent dinosaur in top form to continue blowing away average recreational trail riders and run with the big boys on the modern 300's... The 220 truly is an amazing engine with pipe, head, and carb mods especially...
 

Chuck78

Member
Feb 1, 2023
11
0
I'm thinking that moving up from the stock PWK33 carb on a KDX220R, to my current 34mm Lectron or 36mm bored PWK36 Air Striker (on the shelf waiting my other 220's rebuild), plus the Jaguar ignition offering more rev-out, I may be able to better pull off running the FMF Gnarly Woods # 020057 pipe that enhances the low end power.
Some people like to spout off about how the low-end-focused 220 is no good with the low-end-enhancing Gnarly Woods 020057 pipe, but others like this writeup on dirt rider here and some on KDXRider will say that it is the most amazing combination for technical terrain, ESPECIALLY with a modified head and larger carb. I have both larger carbs and modified heads, as well as getting my bikes set up with aftermarket ignitions that give better high RPM enhancing timing. Any top end losses from the woods pipe will be offset somewhat by the higher compression head, larger carb flowing more air, and the better high RPM timing of Jaguar's upgraded CDI box circuitry.

I think I'll run the Lectron on the Woods pipe if I get it, and save the RB modified 36mm PWK35 for the ported cylinder and 223cc overbore that I have here on the shelf... That should be severely potent!

Ultimately I'm trying to round up more interest in the more superior Pro Circuit Platinum 2 pipe for the KDX which offers similar top end RPM power to the FMF Gnarly Desert, but far more low end power than the FMF Gnarly Desert. Truly the best overall pipe for the KDX, but they haven't done a production run since 2018 or early 2019, and you have to call or email to be added to their request list / waiting list for the Platinum 2 pipe and now even the Type 296 spark arrester silencer. VERY NICE PRODUCTS from Pro Circuit. The FMF stuff is great, the PC stuff is even better. IF it were available!!! Pro Circuit just told me that they do in fact plan to offer the 1995+ KDX pipe again, but no ETA currently. Some rumor that the ETA is March, but I feel that may just be a generic date assigned by distributors.
 

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