Please help!! will be getting 05 KDX220R soon and need some info?

[2289sniper]

Hey guys!

I am fairly new to dirt bikes. i have ridden a few and used to have a kawi when i was younger! around 11years old! now i am 20 and am going to be buying a 2005 KDX220R in the next few months.

Well i was reading the info in the tech part of Daves site! (i think his site)

and am kinda worried about the bike when i get it.

First. it will be a brand new bike and never road befor.

i read that i will have to break the bike in! and well! i can do that. But! i also read that i should replace the piston and rings! DO I REALY NEED TO DO THIS? it is a new bike! i personly think that i shouldn't have to be replacing parts on a brand new bike! i live in Ontario, Canada and the bike is going to cost me almost $7,000 with taxes! and frankly that is alot of money for a person like me who can't work and has only disabilaty income to live off!

So if you guys could give me some help i would be greatful!

All i realy would like to know is what all do i need to do to make sure that the bike will last me as long as possable?

Without replacing parts! i am pretty good with my hands and should be able to tear down the engine and rebuild it! so PLEASE! let me know what i should do to the bike so it lasts me?

Thanks guys!

Here's a little about my self!

my name is Jon and i live in the toronto area of Ontario, Canada. i own a 100 acrea farm by belleville, ontario that i can ride on any time i feel like it!

I have diabetic neuropithy which basicly means that the nerves in my legs are slowing down and will eventualy totaly die after some years! (hopefully not for a long long time to come)

So this is a risky buy for me not knowing how long i will be able to ride it!

i am a certified gunsmith and am a talented wood worker.

Also! i read that i will need to grease the suspention! how much does this involve? and what grease should i use?

And what else should i grease when i get the bike and with what?


anyways! thanks for any info or help!

Take care!

 

[2289sniper]

and will silver gas be fine to run in the bike?

i will be basicly just riding the bike on woodland trails and riding on a home-made track (yet to be built)

TIA

 

[John Harris]

One of the things that you will love about the KDX is its lack of required maintenance. With the Kips system the top ends (including the piston) last a long, long time. Members of this forum get thousands of miles before even opening a KDX up. I am on my fourth KDX starting with a 175 back when, and I have never opened up a top end due to wear, much less replaced a piston. Some years I did not get to ride as much as I do now, but they last a long time.
Do the lubes, mount a skid plate for protection, jet it right and ride. Do more modifications when you choose. Riding is fun and good therapy! John

 

[Colorado Mike]

John's comments are okay for a 200, but not for a 220. The pistons break, and when they do, the damage done ranges from simply replacing the piston and rings to the skirt jamming into and destroying the cases ($1200 US). I bought an '04 220 last year and rode it for 1/2 a season, then tore it down and put a wiseco piston in it. If I was doing it over again, I would probably change the piston before riding it at all, just to save having to break it in twice. As for greasing , you need to grease every joint in the suspension linkage, the swing arm bearings, and the steering head bearings.

Good Luck,
Mike.

 

[2289sniper]

thanks for the info!

what does that piston go for? and where could i get one?

also! what lubes should i use? and would i be able to get what i need at the dealer?

As i said! im in ontario canada and don't know much about 2-strokes! (yet LOL) but i do plan to get a skid plate for sure! as i know how i ride! and that is hard! LOL ;)
so i will definatly need one.


But yeah! where and how much for that piston? and how easy is it to install? if not to complicated then i will do it my self! but if it requiers a total engine tear down i may get some help or have someone else do it!

But will probaly ride the bike "As Is" for a little while and then see what to replace or improve.

Thanks again for the help!

Can't wait to be ripping up the trails again after a few years not riding! :)

 

[2289sniper]

is there any differnce between the 04 and 05 KDX220R?

is there any differnces between the 04 and 05 models? is one better built then the other ect?

Also! will the 04 parts at wiseco fit the 05?

they have the pistons for $110.20 which seems like a good price.

Also! does anyone know any canadain guys who are around the Toronto area or Belleville area who might be willing to help me out if i need help installing the new piston and rings? in exchange for fun weekend of riding and good food and the best beer out there! for helping me install the piston and rings and anything that i may not be able to do!

but as i said! i won't be getting the bike for a few months. and will get the wiseco piston and rings then also!

So if anyone around the Toronto area would be willing to help me out if i need it i would be greatful! and will let them ride on my property all weekend long and will get them a 24 for there help! :)

TIA

 

[2289sniper]

just called the dealer! and only has used 02 KDX220R ?

how are the 02 KDX220R's?

He also said he had a used YZ430 or 4 somthing any good?

 

[Colorado Mike]

I got my wiseco piston, rings, wristpin and clips (all part of the piston kit) for about $85.00 US from www.rockymountainmc.com . You probably should change the gaskets too when you do that, some guys don't though. I'd get a whole top end set though because the KIPS arm cover gasket tears easy. You should get the service manual before trying it though cuz you could damage things if you don't. To replace the Piston you remove the seat,covers, scoops, pipe,carb,radiators, top engine brackets, head, and cylinder (maybe other stuff I forgot) sounds like a big deal but if you're pretty mechanical it's not a huge deal. The type of grease is in the manual, but I used Molybdenum disulfide grease I think. Best thing to do is get the service manual and follow it closely. That YZ sounds like a lot of bike for you. Motocrossers can be a little tricky to ride in a woods setting. that's what a KDX is very good at. Another option would be one of the Honda XRs for forgiving, mild-mannered bike.

Oh, and all the 220's are basically the same. the '05 has a grippy seat compared to the shmoove one on the '04. stuff like that, engines, frames, suspenders, are all the same. That's why they cost 65% of what a more modern bike costs.

Mike.

 

[2289sniper]

Awsome thanks! well

i need to get the bike first! LOL but when i get the bike i will also get the service manual and any greases and oils i need!

As i just called another dealer who carries the Kawi's and talked to the guy who works on all the bikes and that! and he said that they have all the greases and that for the bikes! including the spring oil or grease!

So i will pick all of that up when i get the bike!

Well im pretty sure i can do it my self! as i am pretty good at working on car engines and lawnmower engines and the like! so it shouldn't be to bad! LOL ;)

Well! i have no clue what i need and don't need. LOL

Basicly here is what i want! i want any part that will make the bike last longer and work better! Like the wiseco piston and rings!

Could you give me a link to that kit you are talking about?
Like does it have all the things you said in your post! or will i have to order them all seperatly?

sorry for all the questions! i just like knowing what im looking at befor i do it! LOL and like doing things right the first time! :P and not having to replace things because i didn't do something the first time.

thanks for the help!

 

[Colorado Mike]

http://www.rockymountainmc.com/Product_Details.atv?pid=00023579

 

[JaredMackall]

Rocky Mountain MC sells both the Wiseco piston kit and a Cometic top end gasket kit. The Wiseco piston kit is excellent from what I hear, although I don't know anything about the Cometic gasket kit. Utah Sport Cycle makes a great skidplate, which is found on Rocky Mountain as well. Works Connection makes some good radiator braces, which can be found at MX Sales. Other things you might invest in are new handlebars that fit to your liking and possibly a pipe guard. The only pipe guards I know of are from FRP Offroad and Flatland Racing. Do a search for these companies. Fredette's pipeguard is made out of fiberglass and Flatland's out of metal. Flatland's looks much better, IMO, but as to which one protects better I have no idea. A case guard is a good idea, but I haven't found any yet for the KDX. Maybe someone else can chime in with some info.

 

[john_bilbrey]

The cometic gasket kit from rocky mountain is fine...I got one when I replaced my top end a couple of months ago. Purchased both at Rocky Mountain.
Also, you can do the top end without removing the head from the cylinder. It's tight, but it'll come out of there.
Moose also makes a pipe guard, it's out of thick aluminum, around $40US. It ain't real pretty, but neither is a crushed pipe ;)

 

[gnarlykaw]

Just lube the swing arm, retighten the bike up, and ride the darn thing. I had a 01 220R, and I didn't race it, and logged over 2k on it, and never did the top end. this bike is almost bullet proof. Those days you can't ride, and you have to stare at it, then you will figure out what needs to be done.......................nobody really does the piston replace thing during break -in, it just a guide line.

 

[Fred T]

sniper

Internet formums can lead to paranoia if you read too deep into things. Heres the deal with the 220. If you make many modifications to the motor to cause it to run stronger than stock it seems to cause the stock piston to crack for some reason. If you plan to ride the bike stock pretty much only maybe opening up the air box then you should get at least a years riding out of it before you should consider taking the top end apart. If OTOH you plan to get a pipe, bore thae carb, etc then it may be a good idea to switch the piston so it won't explode. I've got experience with two KDX 220's and both have been run at least a year on the stock top end with no problems. There are no guarantees in this world but if tearing a new bike apart is not what you really want to do then keep it pretty much stock the first year and ride it and you will be fine.

Most people will be happy with the bike if they just get the fork springs corrected for their weight, do the air box mod, adjust the jetting get a good set of tires, some hand guards, grease the steering stem and suspension linkage and swingarm. Put a full quart of oil in the transmission and run a good synthetic premix in it. Have fun.

 

[Tom L]

Alot cheaper and easier way to protect the engine and pipe: Go to a hardware store and pick up a 12" X 24" piece of aluminum tread plate and a few U-bolts. Bolt the plate under the bike and bend it up around the pipe. Run a brace from the top of the plate to the frame (over the pipe) to prevent excessive vibration. Only cost maybe $20. Covers everything. Drill a big hole where the oil drain plug is so you don't have to remove the plate to chage oil.

 

[Cdn Paul]

Yeah I live in Belleville and I can assist you with the top end of your 220R. I won't give you should I or shouldn't I advice, but if you decide to change the piston, I can assist with that job . [email protected]