03 KX 250 finally put some time on it(motor)

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bigred455

"LET'S JUST RIDE"
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Sep 12, 2000
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Well the first 2 outings on my 03 were not too good,I had this bike since dec, bad weather and a couple of injuries didn't give much me much saddle time.I really had considerable time on it today.Let me start off by saying, the mags are a crock YEAH LIKE WE DIDN'T KNOW THAT! I really love the way the power comes on, it has the typical kawa grunt very stong,but soooooo smooth compared to the 00. I would say the 00 has A TAD more raw grunt down low to it, compared to the 03 ,but the 03 is definetly not lacking.The mid- range on the 03 is unreal! where the 00 was done pulling the 03 JUST TAKES OVER! definetly wider and stronger, this power to me is KICK ASS! very fun to ride. The mid to top on the 03 is very strong.The 03 does flatten out some, once you reach the top,but the mid is so strong I really don't see a issue.The power of the motor has a very smooth feel (BETWEEN THE LEGS AND ON THE PEGS). I can't comment on the suspension (STILL HEALING) no rough terrain for now. Here is my report card MXA!
Motor:
Bottom : Great (typical kx)
Mid: KICK ASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Top Good. .............................. I forgot to mention the jetting. I had OOZE coming out of my silencer. LOL! :scream: The jetting was crisp and clean from bottom to top no rich or lean spots. Mobil 93 with 927 40:1
 
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Rcannon

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Nov 17, 2001
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Nice report. Is this with the Pro Circuit pipe Kawasaki now gives away with the bike, or do you miss out on all the free stuff like I do?
 
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hoov165x

Member
May 31, 2002
106
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I just bought an '03 and it is currently in many pieces on my shop floor (for greasing the steering head, linkage and putting on a couple of grand worth of goodies). Any thoughts on the stock suspension? Mine will be used for Hare Scrambles and other offroad events. I have read that the suspension is soft, but I am sure they mean soft for moto, which means that it will probably still be too stiff for offroad use. I did notice the level of quality has been improved as compared to my last KX, which was a '99. Can't wait to ride it. Tired of my '03 YZ250F already.
 
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bigred455

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Originally posted by Rcannon
Nice report. Is this with the Pro Circuit pipe Kawasaki now gives away with the bike, or do you miss out on all the free stuff like I do?
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The only thing I did to the bike was grease everything, change the chain and sprockets (stock gearing)Bars and skid plate,boyesen ignition cover. Listen I purchased my bike in DEC, I got the 300 bonus bucks for accessiores back then,PLUS 000 UNTIL JULY,of course I layed a few dollars down. I know now they are offering OOO UNTIL O3 plus a PC pipe.They did not have the pipe offer back then,but I received a certificate for the pipe last week, I mailed that puppy out.Pretty descent of KAWA to still honor that.. :thumb:
 
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bigred455

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Sep 12, 2000
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Sorry,the suspension I really can't comment on,The first time out at the track I wen't down pretty hard, Jumps were nasty (concussion) don't remember anything. Second time out I dislocated my elbow the track was a mud bowl. I should have not tried to hammer the sections that day,but we know what we feel like with a new bike ! LOL. I have a course cut out in a pretty descent dirt field in the woods across from my house I use . It is not too technical or challenging ,but great for hammerin,corners sweepers with descent straights.I am staying off of the local tracks for now until my elbow heals.
 
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Steve47

Member
Nov 23, 2001
103
0
I'll comment on the suspension and handling, IT ROCKS!!!

The handling is just awesome on this bike. It corners! Finally a KX that turns. It still handle the rough stuff great like the old KX. Jumping this thing is great, the bike is a lot smaller than before and it shows.

The suspension itself is a bit soft for a fast rider, if you're over 180 you'll need stiffer springs. Other than that enjoy!

Mod Edit - This is NOT the For Sale forum
 
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meangreen 67

Member
Apr 16, 2003
23
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I agree, the '03 kx250 is a good bike, I love mine. It is a big improvement over my '98. Although, I do miss the bottom end on my 98 sometimes. The fork springs are soft but not overly soft. I weigh 205 and race the Vet Novice class and have only bottomed the forks when overjumping and landing in holes on rough sand tracks. I'm going to add stiffer fork springs but I'm sticking with the stock shock spring. The bike is ready to race bone stock, IMO. At least at my level.
 
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bscottr

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Sep 20, 2001
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Great report Keith et al. :thumb:

BTW: You guys SUCK ! Now my '01 doesn't seem good enough. :)
 
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bigred455

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Sep 12, 2000
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Originally posted by bscottr
Great report Keith et al. :thumb:

BTW: You guys SUCK ! Now my '01 doesn't seem good enough. :)
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SURE SURE! Blame it on the bike Scott . ;) LOL.
 
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hoov165x

Member
May 31, 2002
106
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Well, I broke my '03 KX250 in today. It is set up for offroad (about 2g worth of necessary and not so necessary accessories). I rode it 40+ miles offroad in a combination of tight woods and not so tight woods. I am very pleased with this bike. It handles superbly. Excellent in flat corners. ACME is going to do my suspension for offroad, although I believe for more open offroad terrain the stock suspension could be made to work well. I will be able to comment more on this as the suspension breaks in. The power is excellent for offroad- very tractable in the slippery sections with rocks and roots, more so than any of my recent bikes except my '03 YZ250F. For mx the motor would be a little soft and flat (part of the reason it is so good offroad) and it doesn't make a ton of power. The power that it does have is of excellent quality though. My '02 YZ250 would absolutely smoke this thing to the first turn. However................. the handling is soooooo much better than my Yamahas and the seat height is far lower than my 250F contributing to a stable feel. What a great bike, and an excellent baseline for an offroad conversion. One thing, the bike seems to carburete really well but I ran out of fuel at about 41 miles. My '98 and '99 KX's got about 20-25 mpg offroad so someone may be lying about the fuel tank capacity on this bike. A larger fuel cell will be next on my list.
 
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Lissa

"Am I lost again?"
Apr 28, 2002
562
0
I have already raced my '03 KX250 in three enduros and have tooken it through its many paces on my Sunday and Monday outtings. I have a few minor mods on my bike, mostly suspension work.
I absolutely love this bike! My '00 CR250 prior to this bike was a great bike, but I am much faster already on my KX! The power delivery hits very hard early on. The bottom-midrange on this bike is superb and is very easy to use. It does sign off earlier then my CR or my bf's '02 YZ does but I have only been reminded of that twice so far. Thats pretty darn good in my opinion. Like I said before, the power still feels more useable. Also I have discovered this bike to be a good submarine.

My mods were simple off-road tricks:
18in rear rim conversion, Works Enduro Rider suspension work (absolutely awesome!!!), 11ounce flywheel weight (not noticeable), chain/sprockets(51 tooth rear sprocket), IMS oversized tank, my favorite Tomaselli handlebars/handguards, FMF Q' silencer, Freddette chain guide, PEP clutch perch/lever, Pirelli tires and my time keeping equipment.

The suspension stock is great, its even better now its been resprung and revalved. I love the pipey power, but I will try the PC pipe once it shows up (sent the coupon back already). I did need to go to a little larger electrode spark plug to prevent watering out, but thats pretty normal enduro tuning. So far the bike is becoming a most trusted trail companion.
 
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bigred455

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Sep 12, 2000
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Lissa,sounds good,I really love the way the motor comes on in the middle,but it still has plenty of bottom like you mentioned..I was going to cross over to hare scrambles,but I just can't stay away from mx. I took it to the track mt pleasant(woodbine) this friday. Pretty sandy,but I like it like that, you can be very aggressive.In the sand the front end was a little too soft especially hitting some g-outs, that is to be expected.I wen't in 2 on the compression it was a very noticeable difference. I didn't touch the rebound yet ,but I am sure I will play with that later. I am having a little trouble hooking up in the sand, I still have the stock bridgestones on, so I know that is half of my problem .My sag was 4.25 from the factory. I set it at 3 15/16 about 98 mm after I got home .I need my s-12's .I over shot a small rhythm section at the end double double my first time out. I hit the take off of the second set coming off of the first set,the front end soaked it right up I was smiling from ear to ear. Of course I nailed it my second time around ;) Hopping from my 00 to my 03 is night and day with the way it feels, the 03 has a way more postive feel to it than the 00.Both are stable bikes,but the ergo's on the 03 are so positive .I love the way this bikes rails sweepers. I too am starting to fall in love with this bike.. :thumb:
 
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bigred455

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Sep 12, 2000
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Originally posted by bscottr
Daaaamn it, to all three of you! :moon:

:)

Excellent reports!
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LOL LOL LOL Scott the 04's are a few month's away,maybe you can return the favor!!!! ;) HAPPY EASTER!!!
 
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hoov165x

Member
May 31, 2002
106
0
Lissa,
What do think of the IMS tank? Is it wider? Does it push the front of the seat up? I wanted to wait for the Clarke to come out as the fit and finish and overall quality are better, but they are 2-3 months away from having them available.
 
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bscottr

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Sep 20, 2001
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'04...yea that's it Keith! ;)

This is Andrews' tank. Do you guys know if it's a Clarke? Very clean setup.
 

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hoov165x

Member
May 31, 2002
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Has to be an IMS tank as the Clarke is not available for at least 2 more months. Thanks for the pic!
 
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Lissa

"Am I lost again?"
Apr 28, 2002
562
0
No, that pic is a IMS tank. I personally have always had good luck with Clarke tanks. That IMS tank 'frickin' blew trying to install the POS! The Clarke tanks from my expierence drop in and bolt up like a stocker for the most part. The IMS on the other hand took two different occasions of trying to wedge it on.


Round 1: Spent three hours on a Monday night trying to put it on. The gasket you get for your petcock frm IMS is going to leak like a sieve. The frickin' radiator shourds don't even match up! The damn bolt holes are off by at least a inch! How the hell is the seat going to fit? The hole don't even come close to lineing up and the seat is bowing in the middle!? ARGHHHH! ':think:'

After fuming for a couple of days with the ease of non-installation I was about to re-box it up and send it back to IMS. I was pretty smoked about it. Did they even have a bike there when they made the damn thing? My BF decided to call IMS before I did to see if we were missing something in the instructions.

Round 2: OK, the instructions that came with the tank said nothing about rigging it on to fit?! IMS told us in which order you jimmy things up to make it fit. I made my own gasket for the petcock. I had to remove the inserts from the radiator shourds. Bolt this on first, this on second and this on last. After hammering and some jamming, I crammed it all together and it works. I hate when I hafta' boogey things up to fit. IMS's instruction mentioned nothing about how your REALLY supposed to put the tank on.

It looks good now, I should have some photos tonight of it. After putting three enduros on it, the seat and tank are pretty muck broken into together. Nothing fits like stock!
 
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bscottr

LIFETIME SPONSOR
Sep 20, 2001
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Based on what hoov165x says about the Clarke not being ready for two months it sounds as if IMS was trying to be first to market. And from what Lissa says, they did a poor job at it! :flame:

I didn't get very close to Andrews' bike to check the fit. Could be a "one off" anyway so it may not have mattered. Thanks for the answers to the tank question.
 
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hoov165x

Member
May 31, 2002
106
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Just checked with Chris at Clarke and he said that the '03 KX 3.0 gallon tank would not be available until approx. July.
Mike
 
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Matt_H

Member
Sep 13, 2001
365
0
I have to say this know that I have put on some fun time on my bike I love it stock its great! Its by far the best 250 I have ever ridden, its easy to ride fast. Now yesterday I put on a factory fatty and ti2 silencer. The pipe fit very well and went on quit easliy as for the ti2 it was a little harder but not much. First thing i notice was the sound that it made(very nice). Now to riding I did notice once I let the clutch out the gained bottom the combo gives you which is more then I thought it would. For those of you who have the new kx250 you know how early the power comes on, well with the combo its on sooner and has a nice hit in the mid, but I feel that I didn't loose much if any top. The bike is a rocket. As for that spacer I posted in another thread that you get for the power valves I added that before the pipe change and didn't notice it do anything. Well time to go riding again.
 
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