How does a KDX200/220 stack up to a XR250R in the woods?

[XR400RMan]

I am wondering which bike is better in the woods or are they both equal? I have a 1991 XR250R and love the bike but I've been wanting a 2-stroke for sometime now and am thinking about getting a KDX200/220, How much more power does the KDX's have over the XR250R? My XR has a Supertrapp Exhaust,Uni Airfilter,Been bored .05 over with a Wiseco High Compression Domed Piston. I want something quicker in acceleration and a bit snappier throttle response, I don't want to get a KDX and then have to clutch the death out of it, I am thinking the 220 might be the better choice for the added 20cc's. I ride Open Fireroads,atv trails,and singletrack, Thanks Matt,I'm sure this has been asked many times so I am sorry, Matt

 

[woodsy]

Hi Matt:

IMO!! Those two bikes are as different as night and day!! All the XR 250's I have ever owned have been puttsy play bikes unless mod work as you mentioned had been done. I had a 95 that had exactly the work you speak of and then some and it was a good trail bike!! The problem I found out was the frame/suspention/design was just not made for the additional YAHOO>>
Compared to the 2 KDX's I owned (both 200's = stay away from the 220's they have smaller carbs, designed with us old guys in mind IMO) the XR's are more of a "mild mannered reporter" (being nice)!
The KDX's love to be ridden fast!! They dont have the real low bottum grunt of a 4 stroke but get beyond 3 grand and BYE BYE!! The weight difference is a major with most people!! As I remember the difference was about 45 pounds (try riding around with a bag of dog food across the tank and see if you dont notice a significant difference in handling :)). I also always liked the starting ease of my KDX's..
Plus side of the XR is LONGGGGGGG rides seem to be more tolerable.. Many, many times we would come back from an all day excurtion and guess what bike people were playing on in the parking lot while the bikes were being loaded - the XR!! THEY ARE VERY USER FRIENDLY for playing on!!
I liked the wheelies my XR350 would run out (five gears - whao baby that is fun)!!
CYA in the woods
Woodsy
By the way - do you have to run race gas in your modded XR? I did - that pinging noise drove me crazy!!!

 

[XR400RMan]

Thanks alot woodsy, You helped me alot. Matt

 

[clutchcover]

The kdx's do have tons of bottom end grunt. Install a 12 tooth on the front and a torque pipe and you'll have all the lowend you'll need. The kdx's power is more comparable to the xr400 on mid/top. It gets up and goes. All of what woodsy said is true, and then some. I have never been happier with a bike than my kdx. IMO I would get the 200, lots more top and plenty enough grunt. In the long run you'll save money getting the 200. A few extra dollars and you'll have 220 lowend and 200 top wothout exceeding the 220 pricetag.