changing from KDX175

[83MX80]

hmm well not sure if many people here know that bu tim going over to alberta from BC to work on the rigs in Bowden alberta. which is just outside of red deer. anyhoo im getting an 06 grizz 660 this summer, then in august a laptop, then in around october getting an 06 arctic cat M7, and about this time next year i want to get a 95 jeep YJ and a 7 ft wide 14 ft enclosed trailer. and now is where you guys come in. if i have anything left... hehe.. i want to get a different dirtbike. i have an 1982 kawi KDX 175 2 stroke but is a pain to get parts for, so im thinking of giving the KDX to my dad and getting me something lighter and smaller. dont get me wrong i LOVE the kDX but its 240 pounds and im 5.6 to 5.8 and 150-155 lbs and its a good sized bike. so i want something lighter and maybe something smaller. either a 125 2 stroke or a 230-250 4 stroke, im going used nothing older than 2000 and zilch newer than like 2004. i have made a list of bikes im considering here is the list:

125 2 strokes:

CR125R (seat height and weight, 37" and 197 lbs)
KX125 (36", 192 lbs)
KTM125sx (36", 203 lbs)
YZ125 (39", 189 lbs)
RM125 (37", 192 lbs)


230-250 4 strokes:

CRF230F (34", 238 lbs)
YZ250F (38" 205 lbs)
KX250F (38", 92.5 kg) around 200 lbs
DR-Z250 (35", 253 lbs) little on the heavy side


right now out of those im leaning towards:

4 strokes:
CRF230F
KX250F

2 strokes:
KX125
KTM 125sx
RM125


sorry for the long thread and i like the KDX but i want to be able to throw the thing around, stop and spin the rear tire and whip the rear end around to turn around ya know what i mean?? and will still be able to haul me up almost everything that i point it up or down. if i go 230 or 250 i want a 4 stroke but if im going with a 125 i want a 2 stroke. thinking maybe going with a 4 stroke 2 fiddy. and i also want to be able to touch the ground a little more than my KDX. thanx for any input. oh and i wont be buying until next year.

 

[SpeedyManiac]

If you can't touch on the KDX175, you're not even going to touch on a CRF230F. What type of riding do you want to do? I'm assuming woods and off-road, not motocross. I think a newer KDX200 possibly with an aftermarket lowering link is the best way to go. Yes, the bike weighs a little more, but with a little practice it shouldn't be too bad. Unless you get a lot of modifications done, I doubt a 125 motocrosser is a good option. You would need an aftermarket tank (Salmon Arm has a ton of trails, if I remember correctly), flywheel weight and possibly engine modification to smooth the power. That's above the standard skid plate, radiator braces, bark busters and pipe guard that all bikes need (except thumpers don't need the pipe guard).

Regarding weight, the only bike you've listed that will be any lighter than the KDX175 is a 125 motocrosser, but these can definitely be a handful in the woods.

One thing to consider if you're going to work the rigs is you're going to gain some serious muscle. The rigs are tough work so be prepared to gain 20 pounds of muscle over a winter. I think you might want to wait and think about your options closer to when you buy a bike. As it stands I still think a KDX200 is the best option though.

 

[83MX80]

hmm ya im going to be riding trails and gravel pits. oh ya i can touch the ground on the KDX175 and i've sat on a CRF230F and it feels nice. but im thinking something like a KX250F or 125. there's a kid that rides a KX125 here in salmon arm in the trails and does fine. i like the KX250F but not sure if i could find one between the year's 2000 and 2004. if KTM made a 250F i'd be on it like white on rice as i've always wanted a KTM.

 

[TimberPig]

You should be looking at the CRF 250R or CRF 250X, not the CRF 230. The 230 weighs as much as your KDX, with less power and performance. It is a playbike meant for casual trailriding, and won't offer much in the way of improvements. Your other bikes you are considering will flat out smoke it at almost everything, except maybe price and longevity.

 

[Ryan12833]

mx, i am also 5'9. So i am pretty close to your height. My freind had an 82 kdx175 and i must say it sucked!!!! There is no comparasion between that bike and the newer kdx's. Since you are riding trails and pits the newer kdx will fit your needs better than a mx bike because the suspension is right for you. If you want wheel spin get a kdx220 or kdx200 from the years you want. I have a kdx220 with a kdx200 carb and i must say the bike is the best. Try a new kdx out. I know this will be hard after thinking all kdx's are not good because of the kdx 175.

If you have a ton of money heck buy a kx250f but if you have a normal budget go for a newer kdx or a kx125. Like i said i rode my freinds kdx175, wow it was horrible nothing at all like my 01 kdx220.

 

[apb]

if KTM made a 250F i'd be on it like white on rice as i've always wanted a KTM.

Ktm does make a 250f, its called the 250sxf.. But it costs alot more than a KDX. If you really want a KTM, you might do better with one of the 200 2 stroke models they make for the riding you describe, plus its been around longer, so you can find used ones more easily. Just my thoughts. Good luck

 

[83MX80]

hahaha YES... im not the only one that has rode/owned an 83 KDX175. its not bad for a beginner bike. well maybe i should spend like 4000-6000 for a bike. there are a couple of kids around my house that have the KTM 200 2 strokes. and there was a KTM 525 4 stroke at the gravel pit last weekend. im kinda leaning more towards a 250 4 stroke as i tend to "lug" it more, and want to be able to haul some arse too.