Opinions Needed: Trade a KDX for a KX?

[bajus22]

Hey guys, your opinions are needed. I have a 1987 KDX200. Last year I rode the bike on the trails and on my local MX track. Over the winter I picked up a 1991 KDX250 (which I managed to get road legal). So this year I will be riding the KDX250 to the trails. Which means my KDX200 will be used soley on the MX track (the lights have been taken off, DG pipe added, Boyesen reeds, jetted properly). So I'm considering selling the KDX200 and buying a 1998 KX125. The sale of the KDX200 will cover the cost of the KX125 (which my wife likes). I consider myself an 'average' rider, so not the fastest, but definitely not the slowest on track.

So...

Will the KX125 be as good as, or better than the KDX200 for riding around on a MX track?

Or should I just keep the KDX200 (I love the bike)?

 

[julien_d]

that 125 will walk all over the 200 on an mx track. Get it into the woods and the situation reverses. Have you ever ridden a 125? They do not have any low end power unlike the KDX. They will bog if you try to short shift. You really have to keep them screaming to get good power, which kind of forces you to ride on the edge. Certainly a good way to improve your riding skills.

 

[Dirtjunkie85]

Go with the 125, there fun not really a trail bike but, on the track it will be awesome.
Try some thing a little different.

 

[dirt bike dave]

The KDX is out of its element on a track, especially if you have stock fork springs.

Go with the KX for track riding, and enjoy your KDX250 on the trails and roads.

 

[jb_dallas]

Yes!...someone who wants to buy a bike for its intended purpose. I agree, buy the KX, which should make you a nice track bike. Look it over first..make sure its not a money pit.

 

[bajus22]

Aren't all old bikes money pits? Anyways, I just took the KDX250 out for its initial off-road run (35km on the trails). And I have to admit, I think I like the KDX200 better. Maybe I should sell the KDX250? The KDX250 is stupid fast and powerful! I rode the KDX200 all of last year, no real issues. The KDX250, crashed twice, got stuck once, scared the crap out of me 15 times, in one run! It was fun, but what a handful.

 

[dirt bike dave]

The KDX250 was not set up well by Kawasaki. The forks and jetting need serious attention to get the most out of the bike, and there are lots of other little tricks that will help it be more fun. True, the 200 is less work to set up, but for me, the 250 was better than than 200 after it was dialed in.

 

[bajus22]

I've already started to 'dial' it in. I've changed the pilot and main, modified the slide, and lowered the needle. I can't seem to find a R1367H needle (or what the Keihin part number would be). I did the turn stops, so the bike actually turned well. I'm still not convinced on the front fork springs. I actually have a pair of heavier springs, but I really didn't mind the stock ones. And I shaved down the seat. I'm sure I'll eventually learn to love the 250.

 

[Kx85Krazy]

so wahts the power difference between that kdx250 and a kdx220 or 200?

 

[julien_d]

well, the kdx250 is based of a kx250 engine, and the kdx200 is based off a kx125. So what would you guess to be the difference?

 

[bajus22]

Well my KDX200 has a simple air cooled, 200cc engine, with conventional forks and frame, has about 28hp (I think). Simple and light. The KDX250 has a liquid cooled, 250cc engine, with inverted 43mm forks, a perimeter frame, has about 40hp. It's also heavier than the KDX200. They're both pretty good trail/woods bikes.

 

[Lorin]

the kdx 250 is a heavy bike, no matter what you do to it. I would keep the 200 for the trails and the 125 for the track. can you make the 200 street legal fairly easily?

 

[bajus22]

No, the 200 can't be made street legal. But it looks like I have a buyer for the 200. I think I have sellers remorse...So I'll be stuck with the KDX250.

 

[Lorin]

a regular (non-kdx 250) 250 will be a fairly different animal. Having ridden both, I prefer a modified 200 or 220 to a kdx 250. either way, best of luck to you on your quest.