New Guy

[Wayne Meuir]

I am new to the forum and want to introduce myself. My name is Wayne Meuir and I live in Lavon, Texas which is about 30 miles northeast of Dallas. I am 62 and retired. I have ridden bikes of one sort or another all my life, but in the last 15 years or so, only street bikes. I am a 2-stroke fanatic and currently own a 72 Kaw H2 triple, and 75 Kaw H1 triple, a 77 Kaw KH400 triple, a 76 Suz GT750, two 65 Suz X6 hustlers, and an 84 Yam RZ350, plus one 4-stroke, a '02 Kaw Concours sport touring bike.
When I was young, I lived on a dirt bike, but never raced except enduros. Mostly just trail riding on an 63 Ducati 250 single and then in '68 I bought a Ossa 230 Pioneer.
I may be a little too old for dirt riding again, but plan on giving it a shot. I have decided that the KDX 200/220 will serve me well since I will be doing mostly just mild trail riding with my son and grandson.
Question I have for you guys is that since this bike was made for so many years, are there any certain years that are better than others or should I just get the newest one I can find at a good price? I am watching Craigslist for one to come up reasonably close. I guess what I am asking is that if an older one from the late 90's comes up and is in good condition, is that reasonable or should I hold out for something newer from say, 2003-2006.
Several people have recommended I go to a late model 4-stroke becasue they are easier to ride, but as far as I am concerned, 4-strokes suck.

Thanks,

Wayne

 

[julien_d]

Hey Wayne, good to have you aboard!

The biggest thing to look at shopping for a used KDX is condition. The bike was relatively unchanged from 1995 to present. There were some small changes here and there, but nothing worth noting really. The biggest changes in the KDX's entire lifespan were the switch to watercooled with power valves in 1989. That model remained mostly the same until 1994. While those E series bikes were great, the all new perimeter frame and redesigned KIPS makes the 1995 and up more desirable. You would do well with an 89-94, but if you can find a 1995+ that would be ideal.

Also, 220 vs. 200:

The 200 is going to have a harder powerband hit and more top end. The 220 has a softer hitting powerband and more torque at the expense of top end. If you're doing mild trail riding the 220 would probably suit you nicely. 220's didn't come out until after the frame redesign, so again, condition is more important than year model when shopping used.

Hope that helps you, at least a little!

J.

 

[Wayne Meuir]

J, thanks, that is good info. Gland to know that year model makes little difference. What makes the 200 hit harder, does it just have more radical port timing? Does the low end suffer dramatically? Reason I ask, I see very few 220's for sale, probably about one for every ten 200's, and the 200's are not all that plentiful. I am not really needing the bike to be super fast, but low end grunt would be good.

Wayne

 

[OLHILLBILLY]

Welcome to the board Wayne! I just got my KDX a while back and thanks to the Missouri winter I've only got to ride it twice, but my observations on your questions from my experience so far..
The low end grunt on my 200 is great, better than the WR250F I had a while back. As for the powerband "hit", compared to my last bike (03 YZ250), it has no powerband hit. It does have a small hit, but nothing that isn't easy to control. I'm no youngster (51), and I find the KDX 200 to be a very easy bike to ride in the woods. :cool:

 

[2strokesrock]

Welcome to DRN! I love my KDX its a fun bike!

 

[julien_d]

The 200 has a larger carb, and just makes more power up top. The powerband hit is very mild compared to MX bikes in general. The 220 has a smaller carb and a larger cylinder giving it even more grunt down low, but the top end suffers compared to the 200.

Either bike can be tuned for top end or low end. Out of the box, I feel the 200 is a better machine for most, although the 220 is a great bike as well.

J.

 

[Wayne Meuir]

I am going to look at a couple of 200's that a local guy has. He and his dad bought the bikes late last year. His dad has a bad crash first time out and broke both wrists so the bikes are now for sale.

His dad's bike is a 2005 for $2500:
FMF Gnarly Torque Pipe, FMF Turbine Core Silencer, Trail Tech Computer and a few other odds and ends add ons, supposedly low hour in cherry condition.

His bike is a 2001 for $1500 hours on engine are unknown:
New chain and sprockets, new front wheel bearings, FMF Gnarly torque pipe, new stainless spokes on rear wheel, new air filter. Looks good in the picture, supposedly runs great, and has no know problems except one fork seal leaking.

Opinions based on what I just wrote?

Wayne

 

[julien_d]

Go ride them both, if you don't feel much difference, save the grand and go for the 01.

 

[Wayne Meuir]

J, that's what I wanted to hear. I ain't made of money and the '05 sounds like it is really nice, but if the other one runs and looks good and well, I may try to deal on it.

Wayne

 

[dansavage]

Hi Wayne, I'm relatively new to the KDX world myself. Just under a year ago I purchased a '02 KDX220, an older gentleman had it, rode it a few times, and garaged it for 6 years. The bike looked and rode brand new when I got it, no dings, scratches, etc...

I learned after purchasing it that the piston skirts in these bikes are more likely to crack/break than the 200's. I rode mine all last year, then spent $125 on a wiseco piston, rings, etc.. I can't tell if it was 1 or 2 isolated cases of failure, which then got blown out of proportion on the web, or it was real. As an insurance policy, I decided to put this potential issue to bed (my stock one looked fine when I removed it)...

These bikes both have KIPS power valve systems, KAWA changed to the current design in the 90's (speak up out there) I believe. For parts availability reasons, I'd at least fine one that uses the new design versus the older design.

When you do settle on one, you will really enjoy it no doubt, they are fine machines!

Take care

 

[glad2ride]

Welcome to the forum! Thanks for the vote of confidence on the two-strokes!

I suggest you look for a KDX200 or KDX220R in the last version made. The last version of the KDX200 in the USA was from 1995 - 2006. The KDX220R was available in the USA from 1997 - 2005.

As best I remember, the differences between the KDX200 and KDX220R are:

cylinder (198cc vs. 216cc)

head

carburetor (35mm KDX200 vs. 33mm KDX220R) (larger carb allows more top end power vs. better low end delivery on 33mm)

KDX200 came with non-ring chain, KDX220R came with o-ring chain

KDX200 rear chain guide (in front of rear sprocket) is narrower than KDX220R guide

Otherwise, they are the same parts, within each model year.

I suggest you go for condition over year model. Be weary of neglected models. If it won't kill you budget wise (you could sell off the non-Kawasaki's if need be), lean toward the 2005 model. If they just sit, they tend not to have the parts wear out nearly as much. :-)

 

[sr5bidder]

If you are a limber 61 yrs and are flexible and tall enough these bikes are great.
But they are tall and myself at 5'11" have learned to keep my hips and thighs stretched well as this bike will do it for you wether you like it or not.

As far as age , I see so many guys in their 50's and 60's riding and most are much better than me so just get stretched out and in reasonible shape and before you know it you will be able to hit the trails for a whole day and feel good the next day!

 

[julien_d]

before you know it you will be able to hit the trails for a whole day and feel good the next day!

LOL!! I'm only 32 and still waiting for that day. I usually wake up feeling like someone worked me over with a baseball bat. :|
It's well worth it though!

J.

 

[sr5bidder]

the only pain I normally encounter is at the begining of the ride in my arms as I only get to go riding once a month and I start out with a death grip on the bars and always forget that the elbow guards I have give me accelerated arm pump. so after the first round I remove them and most pain is over unless there is a really twisty course like at the ride last sunday. I need to stand more when riding!!