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TransWorld has a good review of it here.
http://www.transworldmotocross.com/mx/bike_test/article/0,13190,475415,00.html :thumb:
http://www.transworldmotocross.com/mx/bike_test/article/0,13190,475415,00.html :thumb:
I rode my 2004 KX250 for the first time yesterday! Here's my first impression.
First, I owned an 2003 and loved it but I didn't like the soft seat and I was sitting too low, plus the power was OK but not that strong.
Kawasaki fixed the little things, the seat it higher and harder and comes with a nice gripper cover. The new front brake routing and the new fork protectors look great. The linkage and the swingarm are also new.
Now, on the track!! The thing PULL HARD!!!! REAL HARD! The jetting is very crisp and the throttle response is just amazing. The bottom and mid are very good, a LOT better than last year. The only thing is it's still typical kawasaki and the top end is very limited. But with an idiot proof powerband like that, just shift it and live happy forever. The bike is very easy to ride, there is no sudden rush of power, it's constant strong delivery from the very bottom to the top. I was very happy with the motor.
The handling is even better than last year, I'm 6'1" and last year small seat was not cool for me. It was hard to get back up after a corner. GONE!! The new seat is awesome and the riding position is better. Felt great right away. The new rear link makes the bike corner even better. I struggle with the forks a bit (but remember they are new, need break in time) but found a better setting by the end of the night.
Bottom line, I'm very happy with the new bike, they basically fixed the things that I didn't like about my 03. Good job Kawasaki.
First, I owned an 2003 and loved it but I didn't like the soft seat and I was sitting too low, plus the power was OK but not that strong.
Kawasaki fixed the little things, the seat it higher and harder and comes with a nice gripper cover. The new front brake routing and the new fork protectors look great. The linkage and the swingarm are also new.
Now, on the track!! The thing PULL HARD!!!! REAL HARD! The jetting is very crisp and the throttle response is just amazing. The bottom and mid are very good, a LOT better than last year. The only thing is it's still typical kawasaki and the top end is very limited. But with an idiot proof powerband like that, just shift it and live happy forever. The bike is very easy to ride, there is no sudden rush of power, it's constant strong delivery from the very bottom to the top. I was very happy with the motor.
The handling is even better than last year, I'm 6'1" and last year small seat was not cool for me. It was hard to get back up after a corner. GONE!! The new seat is awesome and the riding position is better. Felt great right away. The new rear link makes the bike corner even better. I struggle with the forks a bit (but remember they are new, need break in time) but found a better setting by the end of the night.
Bottom line, I'm very happy with the new bike, they basically fixed the things that I didn't like about my 03. Good job Kawasaki.
I was at the dealer the other day looking at one. I noticed they wen't back to the original pipe mount before the 03. The 04 has the 2nd pipe mount near the tank again not in the middle of the frame,like the cr's and yz's. I like the mount on the 03 better(better spaced) I could not figure why they would change it back. I had no issues with the 03 mount...
The jetting was spot on for sea level here in florida, that's the first time my KX250 is so crisp with the stock jetting. There is a chart in the owner manual but I don't use them, I rely on my own judgement. BUt then again, I'm always riding in at sea level.
The rear spring is great for me, 185 lbs. The forks seems fine too but I'll need more time to tune them and break them in. I'll ride again tuesday so we'll see. I'll say it again, I'm very happy with the motor, it reminds me of the great 98 motor.
The rear spring is great for me, 185 lbs. The forks seems fine too but I'll need more time to tune them and break them in. I'll ride again tuesday so we'll see. I'll say it again, I'm very happy with the motor, it reminds me of the great 98 motor.
Thanks again.
I actually grew up back near you, in Satellite Beach........
Don't miss the humidity or bugs one bit.
So back to the '04, does the jetting chart tell you what to do with the different needles Kaw offers, or if the PowerJet needs changed with elevation. Never had a PowerJet carb.
Am an A enduro rider out here, and been on KTM's the last 6 years, gonna try a KX250 as the next mount, would really like to qualify for the ISDE next year, and thinking an '04 KX250 would be the hot setup.....
I actually grew up back near you, in Satellite Beach........
Don't miss the humidity or bugs one bit.
So back to the '04, does the jetting chart tell you what to do with the different needles Kaw offers, or if the PowerJet needs changed with elevation. Never had a PowerJet carb.
Am an A enduro rider out here, and been on KTM's the last 6 years, gonna try a KX250 as the next mount, would really like to qualify for the ISDE next year, and thinking an '04 KX250 would be the hot setup.....
The KX is the first bike I've owned in years that required no jetting. Zip. Nada. Unlike both my KTM's of the last 5 years and another 5 years of RMX250's before that. Not that I'd swear it was because of all the fancy electronics in the carb...on the outside, some of that stuff gets in the way. If you want to check out all my woods mods, <click here> .
I picked up an 04 KX250 about 3 weeks ago and would pretty much second Steve's comments. I also had an 03 KX250 and would definitely say the 04 has some significant improvements. As far as an off road bike I think the KX would probably be one of the best Japanese 250s for off road use. The 04 motor is super tractable. I don't know if it is the new linkage, the motor, or both, but the bike just seems to hook up out of the corners really well and pull with authority. The chassis is really stable and has a nice neutral feel yet still turns really well. Out here in Southern California it is hot and dry at most of the tracks right now but I was really impressed how the bike transitioned from braking to acceleration. You could just come in, ease off the front brake, feed in power, and the bike would track really well out of the corners, even on the blue groove.
The 03 fork might be a bit better for off road use but I think the 04 fork is a big improvement overall. The 03 fork is really comfortable yet has a pretty loose feel that I always had a hard time coming to grips with. The 04 fork is a new system that is definitely firmer initially, but it has a nice hydraulic, controlled feel. On the 03 you had to be a little careful where the front wheel landed off the jumps but on the 04 you pretty much don't have to think about it.
I think you would be happy with either the 03 or 04 but the 04 will definitely require a bit less initial setup. Just put on some decent bars and bar pad and you are ready to race.
The 03 fork might be a bit better for off road use but I think the 04 fork is a big improvement overall. The 03 fork is really comfortable yet has a pretty loose feel that I always had a hard time coming to grips with. The 04 fork is a new system that is definitely firmer initially, but it has a nice hydraulic, controlled feel. On the 03 you had to be a little careful where the front wheel landed off the jumps but on the 04 you pretty much don't have to think about it.
I think you would be happy with either the 03 or 04 but the 04 will definitely require a bit less initial setup. Just put on some decent bars and bar pad and you are ready to race.
I will, believe me. I put a big dent in the stock pipe within the first 5 minutes of my first ride. I'll abuse the stocker without a guard until the racing season starts next year, then put on a Gnarly (with a guard...I don't take any chances out here in Missouri). W.E.R. did a nice job on the suspension. The forks are a huge improvement over the 43mm WP's on the KTM (even after the FabTech re-valve).
Haven't had the greatest luck with gnarlys- they seem to displace backwards during a rock/tree whack, leading to getting all twisted up, getting pulled off the the exhaust outlet (can't spell spicket, spickot,..) and cracking at the welds.
The lighter gauge metal just seems to bend/dent where it gets hit without twisting up or displacing backwards..... leading to much easier fixing of the pipe, plus you can still finish the race........
The lighter gauge metal just seems to bend/dent where it gets hit without twisting up or displacing backwards..... leading to much easier fixing of the pipe, plus you can still finish the race........
KX250 or KDX220R
Your link to the mods is down, could you let me know how to convert the KX250 into a woods bike. I want to know if the KX250 is too high performance for a consistant low to moderate RPM workload. I am considering the KDX 220R because it seems to be designed for that purpose. I want to get a really good two stroke before they stop making them.
Your link to the mods is down, could you let me know how to convert the KX250 into a woods bike. I want to know if the KX250 is too high performance for a consistant low to moderate RPM workload. I am considering the KDX 220R because it seems to be designed for that purpose. I want to get a really good two stroke before they stop making them.