are 02 kdx forks really kx forks from 1988?

[Nevada Sixx]

hi, i was looking at a old picture of a 1988 kx 250, and the forks look like kdx forks today. I think kx use a 43mm fork back then.
what is the difference, if any?

 

[Robcolo]

A very astute observation ! I happen to still have my '88 KX --sold my '98 to get the KDX [big mistake]. The forks are almost identical. The KX claims just a bit more travel and I think the rebound rod is just that much longer to allow it. The hydraulic bottoming cylinder [KDX] is different from the KXs tapered bottoming cone. The rest should all be interchangeable ! So then, WHY is it so darn difficult to get the KDX to handle decently when that old KX is so smooth ?????????????