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john hubbard · Apr 6, 2003

Great Forum!! I purchased a 02 KDX 200 in December.. rode it for 45 minutes in the past few months due to the inclement weather. Lubed, greased everything, fluids changed, etc.. also added a PC pipe, modified the airbox, yadda, yadda, yadda...So finally, a nice day and a new trailer--and great 5 hour ride yesterday. Checked the spark plug, and the ceramic insulator was black/oily. Currently running Golden Spectro at a factory recommended ratio of 32:1. It I thought I read somewhere that when you're breaking in a bike that you need a Lower gas/oil ratio--Is this correct? Anyway, the bike had the bog/bowaaaaah thing when taking off, but then it she'd run fine in the mid to upper range. I must admit that I did not drain the gas from December...I had added gas stabilizer and started it once a week. The manual says to use a hotter plug if the current plug is black/oily--whaddya think? I thought it was due to the 32:1 ratio with GP. GP recommend's 42:1, 52:1,64:1...Before i rejet, should I change the gas/ratio or the spark plug, or both? Any suggestions, thanks...Cheers~John

john hubbard · Apr 6, 2003

oops..I meant GS for Golden Spectro, not GP...sorry, my hands and foreams are still aching and cramping from riding yesterday...

kdxme · Apr 6, 2003

had the same problem and went to a hotter plug. I now use a NGK BR7ES and it has taken care of the problem. you may also want to consider rejetting.

Robcolo · Apr 6, 2003

32:1 is too rich oil wise for trail riding. Some like to see a rich oil mix for break in simply because it does keep the engine from revving too hard too fast. Anywhere from 40:1 to 60:1 [synthetic oil] works fine. I use 50:1 and mix synthetic/mineral base oil 50:50. You have to know WHERE your plug is black. The last 1/16" of the insulator up inside the threads is where you read a plug --not out towards the tip. Put in a new B8 & try with the leaner oil mix. If still too rich, drop the needle 1 clip and try again. Beating up on your arms & hands is something that KDXs do very well. The front suspension is very soft [the spring] but very harsh [the valving] It absolutely, positively must be revalved [way less high speed compression damping] if you want a decent handling bike.

john hubbard · Apr 7, 2003

I'll go with the leaner mix first and pick up a BR8 and a BR7, just in case. I used Golden Spectro and Klotz back in the late 70's and early 80's. I'm just getting back into the riding scene...Man, things have sure changed (some good, and some things not so good). You can certainly count on me ordering the new front end springs from FRP today...The front end on this thing is just way too soft (WAY!!)--I'm 5'11 and about 205 with full gear...Otherwise, this is a great bike. Never thought I'd ever ride a Kaw...I've always been a Honda/Maico guy. Anyway, the KDX is a good bike, and this a great site to get myself back into the trail groove. Thanks for the tips guys...cheers-john

MX175 · Apr 7, 2003

Check other sites (www.justkdx.dirtrider.net, www.ericgorr.com, www.frpoffroad.com) for more information on adjusting the airscrew on the carb. That will also affect your "bog/bowaaaaah thing".

john hubbard · Apr 7, 2003

MX175,
I read in the justkdx jetting site that fine tuning your idle can really make a big difference with the bog/boowahh thing as you suggested...I'm going to drain the gas this week, lean out the mix a little, and stick with B8 and see if that make a difference first. I've gotta a good notion that it'll make a huge difference as well. Unfortunately, the weather here in maryland really is a drag and finding a place to ride that is close to home is as rare as the Orioles winning a baseball game...so it'll be a couple of weeks before I can get out to the trails again...but i'll defnitely let y'all know what happens...I appreciate all those who responded...thanks again...

toalco-kdx · Apr 7, 2003

my bike never really bogged but when i went from 40:1 to 50:1 i got more throttle response. it also got rid of the oil dripping down my silencer. im guessing that leaning out the fuel/oil ratio will get rid of some of the bogging.

john hubbard · Apr 7, 2003

Oh by the way, Robcolo, I don't ever remember my 80 Honda CR 250 and Maico GS 360 "washing out" their front ends like the KDX does. My bike's stock fork springs really tests one's true grit...as I've said I've been outta the game for awhile but I sure as heck don't remember having to really focus on a front end while i'm riding like I do when I'm on my 200. Trust me I'm all about making sure the tires are inflated to the proper psi when i'm riding on a particular terrain...For post riding, all I can say is thank God for hot showers, motrin and Coors light--not necessarily in that order of course...I'm about 5 minutes from finishing my order for .22 FRP springs...I'll be one happy cat once I get them installed and my get mojo workin'

Robcolo · Apr 7, 2003

John, My other bike is a KX250 and it's a night & day difference. You can go as fast as you want on just about any terrain and that front end sticks. The stock KDX is downright scary [read dangerous]. You'll definately like the stiffer springs but they won't do much of anything for the washout [oversteering] except to increase it. Too much high speed compression damping in the base valves and too little rebound damping in the rebound pistons appears to be the causes. That hammering that you feel in your hands & arms is also lifting the front end up in corners and greatly contributing to the oversteer problem.. A number of us have installed Race Tech Gold Valves in both the forks and shock and it transforms the stock KDX pogo stick into a real rideable dirt bike.

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