jumping the kdx

[kdxer200]

how is the stock kdx on a mx course i know its good in sand but what about the suspension

 

[limitless]

A stock KDX's suspension is horibly unbalanced and not well suted for the track. It can handle it, but IMO the bike is "squirly" in the air in stock trim. There is much to be gained from simply re-springing the susp. for your weight. Even still it is no MX'er. Getting the susp. revalved(mx-tech or gold valves) will also add more stability on the track and in the woods! The price tag is fairly hefty though (600$ for both shock and forks, including springs)

The bike can/will perform decently on the track (after you get springs for you weight, 85$-20$), but is no substitution for a good yz/cr.

Just my .02¢

 

[Robcolo]

A stock KDX is horrible in sand -steep steering head angle made even steeper by too soft springs in front & too stiff in rear.

 

[Midhigh]

I must agree with the Robcolo & Limitless. You can have some fun on the track, but be careful in the air. The KDX seems as Limitless said, a little "squirly". I have not changed springs, but I have played with the sag, rebound, & damping of the rear shock and gone to a 15 wt. oil in the front. Helps but is in no way an MXer.

I am, however, waiting on a WER steering stablizer I ordered. Can't wait to get it on and see how it works.

 

[dmcc]

Midhigh---let us know! I may consider one myself!

 

[KDX at Work]

The only suspension mods I have done to my 98 KDX200 are the front and rear springs have been replaced by ones that are correct for my weight. I have no problem catching some pretty major air at my local tracks. I can even do a few tricks. I'm no MXer, I race harescrambles, I just enjoy riding the tracks and jumping the jumps.. It's kinda cool to get weird looks as I do a no footer 1 hander over the 80 ft. step-up on a woods bike with bark busters and a headlight on it! I must admit, when my bike was in stock form I crashed ALOT and got hurt doing it. The springs, as simple of a mod as it was, helped me move to the next level without any ER visits. The bike takes off and lands with MUCH more control now. However, my KDX lost the KIPS pin in the transmission a few weeks back and is out for repair right now so I'm riding my buddies 2002 YZ250. Now THAT is a MX machine! The KDX cannot compare to it on the track. So.. You wanna race MX, don't buy a KDX. You wanna ride woods and be able to have a little fun at the track, buy a KDX and get the right springs for your weight and go for it!

 

[KDX'r in IN]

If you want to have fun on a track no problem. If you want to race it and be competitive, should've go a kx.

 

[KDXFreestyle]

I jup mine without a problem. as long as you dont land flat..you can jump all day. the bike can take landing flat..but its hard on you. agianb I dotn have a problem wiht it and I weigh about 200 lbs.

 

[ninjaman]

Hey Midhigh you will love your WER. I got one on my bike that I bought. I didnt think it was helping much until I rode a freinds bike that dont have one. What a BIG difference. Pricey YES, worth it YES. If I ever get a different bike the WER is staying with me. I will make it fit.

 

[nifkin]

You all keep talking about getting the right springs for your weight. I weigh 145 lbs. I seem to jump without too much trouble. Nothing real big though. Are the stock springs on a 2002 kdx 200 good for my weight or should I consider different ones if I plan on jumping more.

 

[kdxer200]

nifkin i weigh the same and all we did is drop the compression two from stock and im fine

 

[kc]

i raced my 01 kdx200 in 6 motos at Southwick last year...had a blast....finished in the bottom 3rd of my division +40C & +30C...For me, it wasn't the bike that held me back. I'm 150lbs with gear. i stiffened the front springs, set the rear sag, fmfK35 w/mx silencer (still darn quiet), air box mod, and trimmed every once of excess weight...Most importantly i had a great time, even beat some cr's yz's and kx's! Funny thing is there was about 4 other kdx's racing. My next mod will be softer rear shock spring and an aluminum rear sprocket. great thing about this kdx is in about 15 minutes i can have enduro legal and in the woods! I really prefer the kdx200 motor over any 125 - someday i'll slap my '89 200 motor into a kx125 frame - that'll do the trick.