A month or so back, I posted a question in the "which bike do I get forum" regarding a KX 65 for my eight year old son. We decided to go ahead and get him one. We bougt a year 2000 one. The owner swears not more than six hours on the bike and I believe him with the condition the bike is in. I am sure this question has been asked before, what are the best ways to tame that power band down a little? It hits like a ton of bricks!! So far my son (he has only ridden the bike one day) hasn't hit it yet. Someone mentioned having Eric Gorr port it, but his waiting list is incredibly long. Any other suggestions? Flywheel weight? After market pipe? Thank you in advance.
2000 Kx 65
- Thread starter Joncy
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #3
It is his first clutch bike. I am very happy with the way he is learning to use it. He is shifting well, just needs to learn when to shift a little better. He has only stalled the bike a couple of times. I just have this vision in my head of the first time he hits that power band......! I really would like to smooth it out. Also, I was looking for a Clymer book for this bike. They don't have one out. Does anyone know of something similiar? How about the factory service manual? Is it user friendly?
Jasle
Sponsoring Member
- Nov 27, 2001
- 1,358
- 0
Well there is a factory book that comes with the bike. It describes the basics prety well if you have done this type of work before. I have heard that putting a 1 tooth smaller front sprocket helps tame it down but also gives more bottom end grunt. Also there is an intake spacer for the reeds that helps too. But basically the ports are why it has the hit. Maybe buy a second cylinder and send it to EG and then keep the stocker as a spare??? I know kinda pricey but you won't have to wait with your bike apart in the garage. I've been looking for a toasted kx65 cylinder for a while so we can have EG do a 72cc overbore without the wait. We just started racing season so we don't want to be down for a few weeks.
I recently purchased a 2000 KX65 for my son. After the purchase, I discovered that there was a frame recall on the 2000 models (there was a problem with some frames cracking). Visit the Kawasaki web site and enter the VIN number for your bike, it will tell you if the recall has been performed. The recall welds a brace under the steering tube. The dealer that did our bike did a great job and it looks perfect.
Regarding a manual, I purchased the two books from Kawasaki for about $30. I haven't had to use them yet, but they appear to be easy to understand.
Regarding a manual, I purchased the two books from Kawasaki for about $30. I haven't had to use them yet, but they appear to be easy to understand.
I had the same concerns when I bought my son an 03 RM65, just let him have as much time on the bike as possible, he will learn how to use the power of the bike pretty quick. This way you don't have to make a bunch of mods then change it back later on when he learns the power band.
- Oct 20, 2000
- 2,963
- 2
I was a little unsure when my daughter moved up from a 50. I 1st got her a sx65 that wasn't stock, the hit that thing had was hard! The 1st time she came on the pipe she rode her 1st wheelie. She really thought it was fun and sat up on the very front of the tank. We got rid of that bike because it was a little too tall for her and she had a hard time picking it up. It was also too tall for her to start by herself and I had a buyer that offered more money than I paid for it. ;) The kx60 was a better choice for her but it's not stock either, it has a hard hit. Guess what I'm saying is kids learn a lot faster than we like to give credit for as parents. I bet your son will get the hang of it pretty quick with no mods but I'd be sure to tell him to sit up close to the front for the 1st few times he hits the power band.
sluggerjoe
Member
- Dec 1, 2002
- 34
- 0
I'm with Jeff. Don't worry about the hit, the kid will learn amazingly quickly how to use it or avoid it if that's what he wants to do. Also, keep a well worn rear tire on it to learn on. It sounds dumb, I know, but it really helps control the front end lift to have that wheel spin. Starts from a dead stop are much easier if you can just rev it up and dump the clutch as well.
rougewarrior
Member
- Aug 9, 2002
- 26
- 0
Installing an FMF Fatty pipe will give it more low and smooth out the hit. I just put one on my sons RM65 and it makes a WORLD of difference!!
I had EG do the cylinder work on my boy's YZ80 and it made a lot of difference. The motor still has a hit but it isn't as hard and the low end is a lot better. Money well spent. I had it done in January and it took about 3 weeks. I've heard that he's been really backed up but a few days ago his web site had an announcement that he was getting caught back up. Unfortunately, when you're a kid (young or old) waiting to ride is a bad thing!
I'm not sure on changing the gearing. You will get a little more low end but that increase in torque multiplication is also there when the "hit" comes and will make the wheelies even higher.
The comment about keeping a worn tire on the bike is also good advice, especially considering the cost.
I'm not sure on changing the gearing. You will get a little more low end but that increase in torque multiplication is also there when the "hit" comes and will make the wheelies even higher.
The comment about keeping a worn tire on the bike is also good advice, especially considering the cost.
I put the FMF Fatty and FMF Spark arrestor/silencer on my sons 2001 KX65. It smoothed the power, gave it better low end, without making it slow. I have also heard good things about EG porting, but I wanted a bolt on mod. I am happy with the FMF set-up. We rode all weekend in tight, technical trails with no problems, but the bike is still fast enough to win races. WE have been running this combo for over a year with good success. I think the '01 and '00 have different porting, but I suspect the improvements would be similar.
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