Pros/Cons of the 1986 KDX200?

One of the most common problems with older bikes in general is getting parts. I'm sure you'll be able to get parts for an 86' but it may take a little longer and cost a little more money than parts for a newer model. That's my 2cents.

The '86 will be a huge improvement over your TS185 in every way. It is the first year KDX200 with a powervalve and disc front brake, and the '86 -88 models generally run pretty strong with good top end power.

However, the next generation KDX ('89-94) are water cooled, disc brakes front & rear, with sturdier frame, bigger fork tubes and the newer design rear suspension. Decent '89 to '92's can be found pretty cheap (probably under $1,000). If the budget allows, I'd go for the '89+, but as far as I know, there is nothing inherently wrong with the '86.

Dirtbike Dave is correct - there is nothing inherently wrong with the '88 model. It had a good strong motor with heaps of bottom end, and not bad elsewhere either. One of the main reasons I got rid of mine was it's lack of a rear disk brake; I could have lived without the water cooling etc. Maintenance was a breeze!
However, as DD has said, you can get a cheap water cooled model with it's increased power, better suspension etc etc for not much money, and I too would recommend that path for you.

Cheers,

featherweight

just completing an extensive restoration (don't know what else to call it), of an '87 200. parts from soup to nuts are NOT a problem. parts don't appear to be much (if any) more expensive than any other bike's parts. most (if not all) are available from your kawi dealer. many parts are available from wrecking yards.

needed to replace the ignition stator. original one was obviously burnt. understand the engines tend to run a little hot, which is hard on that stator.

didn't want to bear the cost of an entirely new stator assembly, so ordered a replacement ignition coil from electrex. they sent me a two-part stacked stator coil that also works in some version of quad. problem was..., even though it's the stator that shows up on kawasaki's on-line "fiche"..., it's NOT the stator that's displayed in the service manual or that's actually on the bike.

returned it, and they replaced it with the I-coil from a current 200/220. again..., wrong-o! returned it, and was met with silence.

after several phone calls, finally caught up with somebody who actually knew something. electrex finally consented to rewind the original coil. hoping to see it, soon.

that's been the only problem with parts.

i'm chomping at the bits to get it together and give it a ride. compared to my '99 220..., it's a real lightweight. fabricated a longer linkage strut for the rear suspension to increase ride-height & steepen the front-end. it should be outstanding in the woods!

just be darn careful of what you buy. look real deep. surface issues (wheel bearings, etc.) might be a clue to deeper issues such as rims corroded from the inside, crank/rod bearings, engine oil seals, loose/rusted suspension link-arm ball-joints, warped airbox cover, cracked airbox boot, fork bushings & seals, etc.

thankfully, it's sinfully easy to service. but you can crank up $1,000 real quick on parts for a poorly serviced bike.

Jimicarl has some good advice. Stators do where out on the older bikes (my '84's went bad) and a rewind usually isn't too expensive. Suspension and wheel bearings could run some $ and they frequently go bad. Figure the shock will need to be serviced/rebuilt.

On older bikes like the '86, there are very few potential buyers, so you may be able to drive a hard bargain even if it is in good shape.

Kelley Blue Book actually prices dirt bikes. I would check out their site, www.kbb.com if it shows much lower than the asking price, print it up and bring it to show the seller.