KDX...let down or not???

[WoodsWarrior]

Sold my '93 RMX a few of years ago. It was properly "un-corked" and ran pretty well. thinking of getting back into riding again with my son, and was thinking of getting a KDX. Would the KDX seem totally anemic after the RMX?
I was only considering the KDX because of price (used) and excellent reputation for durability.
I am 5'11" and 195 pounds would the KDX be a bore?

 

[Clutch]

I think a KDX 220 would benefit you more than a 200 would. I like the 220 much better than my 200. After uncorking the 220, you would probably feel right at home. A KDX 220 with FMF exhaust, a RAD valve, and porting, is awesome. I have a friend that rides a 98 KDX 220 with the FMF pipe, stock silencer, and it is ported, and the bike hauls, it has a lot of bottom end chug, as well as nice top-end after being ported. This guy is about 210 pounds I'd wager. If you really want some power, maybe a 97-99 KX 250 would work. I have heard that the KX 250 has more bottom end stock than a modified KDX 220 has. I don't think that's the case any more since Kawasaki messed with the motor and now it doesn't have as much grunt as it used to.

 

[WoodsWarrior]

I have been considering a MX bike and then doing some "woods adjustments" but heck it seems by the time you get all the work done you would need to change an MX'er over to a woods machine, your way back up in the money again. If you had to pick a straight MX machine that is the most likely to have most bottom end grunt and forgiving for woods riding ....what would it be? Any year, Any model....

 

[Clutch]

Well the same friend that I was talking about who ported his 220 and put a pipe on it rode a 96 KX 250 and was amazed with it. So I think the KX 250 from 96 to 99 are probably the best. A guy in the SETRA series ,Rod Stuckey, won the AA hare scrambles class on a KX 250. Personally I have not ridden a KX 250 or RMX 250 so I am an unqualified authority, but I wanted to say we are happy with our KDX's and they seem to be the best compromise between speed and value that the market offers. Other bikes will blow it away, but they're a lot more expensive. For what a 2 year old 250 motocross bike is going for, you could surely find a new KDX 220 somewhere. Or if you wanted to buy a used 220 in nearly new shape, you could use the extra savings from that to hop up the motor. Just like the RMX, ditching the double-walled pipe makes a big difference. Even though I might be moving to the desert and will be searching for a 250cc late-model motocrosser myself, since I think my KDX wouldn't cut it in the desert like it does the woods, I will still be keeping it as a backup and for friends to ride. It has proven to be very reliable for me.

 

[jimicarl]

RMX vs. KDX

for what it's worth..., i've been there. keep in mind that i'm basically a play rider. we tend to charge it pretty hard on occasion..., but i enjoy a moderate pace and a little socializing every 10-15 miles. you & i are about the same size/weight.

a couple years ago..., i turned my '91 RMX over in favor of a '99 KDX220. an outstanding move on my part. the KDX is so much easier to ride..., it's just not funny. my riding partners told me that my overall speed increased immediately. i have much less trouble with obstacles, and spend a whole lot less time hauling my butt out from under a prone bike.

the RMX was modified with an FMF torque pipe, 38mm PWK carb, torque reeds, etc.

the KDX is lighter, more comfortable, more tractable, and (with a few minor mods) has a really nice hit in the upper mid-range, and (again with a few minor mods) revs out just fine thankyou.

i have absolutely or reason to make a move at this point. i can't think of a better bike for all-round use. it's a great play bike, and i think would make a pretty good enduro race bike (others in this thread will attest to that!).

the RMX was fine..., but didn't pull as well in the low end (even with the torque mods), felt heavier, felt more top-heavy. and didn't start first-kick every time like the KDX.

unless you're in for race-day antics on a regular basis, you'll love the KDX. If you're into a full-on go-fast deal without a lot of mods..., you might be happier on a KX, EXC, YZF or something along those lines

take a look at Canadian Dave's KDX forum, for much more info on KDX vs. other brands/types.

happy shopping!!

 

[BadgerMan]

Originally posted by WoodsWarrior
If you had to pick a straight MX machine that is the most likely to have most bottom end grunt and forgiving for woods riding ....what would it be? Any year, Any model.... [/B]

Two words:

YZ250 and F.

Of course, I'm a bit biased!;)

 

[FOO-FOO BIKE]

This subject caught my attention because I use to ride KDXs. The old styles and the current ones (95 and upall the same). and have an appreciation for them they are preetty much bullet proof, but need alot of attention to get any performance . Thats the problem. Everyone has there own opinion of what to do, it all cost money alot of it and then the reliability factor starts to fade.I got tired of trying different combinations =$$$$ and bought a KTM 200. It's light has more than enough power, is very well built, can take the speeds and/or abuse when the trail gets tuff or when the speeds pick up, and was actually less expensive because out of the box it's ready. There was an article in Dirt Rider mag. a couple of years ago that compared the two. They spwnt the difference in the initial prices on the KDXon mods. added hand guards and rode them. The KTM came out on top in every category. If you want a nice trail bike buy the KDX. If you want a nice trail bike that will get hte job done buy the KTM 200. Oh by the way one of the guys I ride with bought a 220 same time I buoght my KTM 200 he's still messing with it ,pipes, silencers, porting , jetting, springs, streering stabilizer,etc and he always says I almost got it, ride it what do you think does it ride like yours? We bought our bikes in the fall of 2000.

 

[HiG4s]

two words
"Husqvarna Enduro"

A Husky WR250 is just the ticket.
Although a KTM250 EXC is pretty sweet also.

 

[cgreene]

Still want an RMX?

I have a 97 RMX 250 that I am about to put up for sale. It is in excellent shape and has many nice extras. Any interest? Reply here and I will give you another way for us to get together. I live in Atlanta, GA.

 

[Jammie Hill]

I have a 98 kx 250 ready for the woods for sale, email if interested.

 

[2 B]

98 kx 250

What can you tell me about the 98 kx 250? How much bottom end does it have? Like the 220 kdx? Or how does it compare to the 01,02 honda's cr 250?

 

[Jammie Hill]

the kx has alot of bottem end power, I have never ridden a kdx so I can't compare those I have ridden a 98 yz and a 99cr and it has more bottom end power than those.

 

[2 B]

98 kx 250

What can you tell me about your bike. Does it have working lights? What aftermarket products are you selling with it(pipe,large fuel tank,etc,etc) I might be interested in your bike. I have not made up my mind yet. If I wan't to go to a mx'er or stay with a enduro type bike(Gas Gas 200exc). Did you race this bike and in what disrtict(I'm in dist. 17)? Any help would be great thanks.

 

[Jammie Hill]

2b

check your email..

 

[WoodsWarrior]

Update

Well I didn't end up with a KDX or an RMX....bought an '86 XR600 for $75 ! Only problem with the bike is it is in about a million pieces in two boxes! Project bike that was never finished. Anyway, thanks for the responses!:)