Guys,
I know this is long, and out there, but I'd appreciate all the expertise that the KDX riders here can offer. My '00 KDX is almost stock. I've got a ProCircuit pipe, '98 XR 400 springs, removed airbox lid, and 12T front sprocket. Other than that it's the way Kawasaki built it.
I spent an extremely fun day last saturday riding the KDX with a friend in the Chadwick, MO Mark Twain Nat'l Forest riding area. It was a *huge* amount of fun, but really opened my eyes to the potential damage my bike could receive. Lots of rocks, boulders, shale step-rock, etc. I can see pranged radiators or pipes occuring quickly. Not to mention I broke yet *another* clutch perch u-clamp when the bike fell over. So, I'm looking to "armor" my bike. I want to protect the money I've put into the bike, and keep it in the best shape possible for a long time.
I'm making my purchase from the Tucker Rocky parts catalog. I've got a contact that allows me a significant discount on parts through a dealer. I know Enduro Engineering guards are well regarded, and I can buy them through TR as the MSR units. So, here's the current list of parts I plan on ordering immediately.
Let me know what you guys think/recommend. You'll probably have experience with some of this stuff, and I don't. I've listed TR part numbers
51-1529 Works Connection skid plate (wrap around to protect water pump)
34-0958 Works Connection radiator braces
11-6385 UFO KDX front disc guard (UFO plastic)
07-0972 MSR radiator guards by Crone Racing (to protect fins from debris)
34-0222 Pipe guard (typical segmented aluminum thing)
34-0352 MSR black plastic hand guards (to fit on deflectors)
34-0346 MSR Dominator silver AL deflectors
04-0607 Boyesen Power Reeds
46-9634 Keihin pilot jet #45
46-9632 Keihin pilot jet #42
46-9632 Keihin pilot jet #40
I still have a few questions, and I'd appreciate any experienced input.
I've seen that the cheap, $20 bars are easy to bend. I try to spend no more than necessary, but I also realize that some times the best value is a little more $$$ up front. That being said...are Pro-Tapers the way to go with bars? I realize these will require new clamps for the triple, as well as Pro-Taper specific deflectors (bark busters). Is it worth the expense, or should I just keep a couple of spare $20 bars handy? Will the MSR "bark busters" on the regular steel bars serve to keep them from bending as much/often?
Levers...should I go with the MSR "Dominator grip lever set", which is basically the "shorty" levers with rubber grip inserts? My understanding is that I will have to cut/trim standard-size levers to fit in the deflectors anyway...so maybe I should get the shorty levers to keep the ball and have the nice rubber pads?
Is there any benefit of going with an aftermarket UNI air filter vs stock?
I'm going for "armor" and durability moreso than trick race parts. If there are any other items I need (rear caliper guard? rear rotor guard? certain lever perches?), or that would be recommended, I'd appreciate it. I plan on making this large order at one time, and bolting it all on when it gets here.
I want to protect the money I have in the bike, and also ensure that I can spend my days riding, vs breaking stuff. I feel that the rocky/tree infested/banging off stuff environment of the KDX may result in different recommendations than the typical MX rider would give. So, I've asked here. What's a common break item on the KDX? Rear brake lever? Shift lever? I want to be prepared for the most fun during my riding, as opposed to "dang, I wish I had bought xxxx because now yyyyy is broken."
I'm also open to any other goodies I should get. I've got 145, 150, 155, 160 main jets, and I'm ordering 40, 42 & 45 pilot jets. I'm ordering Boyesen Power reeds, although a V-Force DII may be in the cards eventually.
I've tried to do my homework on this stuff, but I always appreciate input from people with real-world experience. Thanks for any and all responses & recommendations.
Brandon
I know this is long, and out there, but I'd appreciate all the expertise that the KDX riders here can offer. My '00 KDX is almost stock. I've got a ProCircuit pipe, '98 XR 400 springs, removed airbox lid, and 12T front sprocket. Other than that it's the way Kawasaki built it.
I spent an extremely fun day last saturday riding the KDX with a friend in the Chadwick, MO Mark Twain Nat'l Forest riding area. It was a *huge* amount of fun, but really opened my eyes to the potential damage my bike could receive. Lots of rocks, boulders, shale step-rock, etc. I can see pranged radiators or pipes occuring quickly. Not to mention I broke yet *another* clutch perch u-clamp when the bike fell over. So, I'm looking to "armor" my bike. I want to protect the money I've put into the bike, and keep it in the best shape possible for a long time.
I'm making my purchase from the Tucker Rocky parts catalog. I've got a contact that allows me a significant discount on parts through a dealer. I know Enduro Engineering guards are well regarded, and I can buy them through TR as the MSR units. So, here's the current list of parts I plan on ordering immediately.
Let me know what you guys think/recommend. You'll probably have experience with some of this stuff, and I don't. I've listed TR part numbers
51-1529 Works Connection skid plate (wrap around to protect water pump)
34-0958 Works Connection radiator braces
11-6385 UFO KDX front disc guard (UFO plastic)
07-0972 MSR radiator guards by Crone Racing (to protect fins from debris)
34-0222 Pipe guard (typical segmented aluminum thing)
34-0352 MSR black plastic hand guards (to fit on deflectors)
34-0346 MSR Dominator silver AL deflectors
04-0607 Boyesen Power Reeds
46-9634 Keihin pilot jet #45
46-9632 Keihin pilot jet #42
46-9632 Keihin pilot jet #40
I still have a few questions, and I'd appreciate any experienced input.
I've seen that the cheap, $20 bars are easy to bend. I try to spend no more than necessary, but I also realize that some times the best value is a little more $$$ up front. That being said...are Pro-Tapers the way to go with bars? I realize these will require new clamps for the triple, as well as Pro-Taper specific deflectors (bark busters). Is it worth the expense, or should I just keep a couple of spare $20 bars handy? Will the MSR "bark busters" on the regular steel bars serve to keep them from bending as much/often?
Levers...should I go with the MSR "Dominator grip lever set", which is basically the "shorty" levers with rubber grip inserts? My understanding is that I will have to cut/trim standard-size levers to fit in the deflectors anyway...so maybe I should get the shorty levers to keep the ball and have the nice rubber pads?
Is there any benefit of going with an aftermarket UNI air filter vs stock?
I'm going for "armor" and durability moreso than trick race parts. If there are any other items I need (rear caliper guard? rear rotor guard? certain lever perches?), or that would be recommended, I'd appreciate it. I plan on making this large order at one time, and bolting it all on when it gets here.
I want to protect the money I have in the bike, and also ensure that I can spend my days riding, vs breaking stuff. I feel that the rocky/tree infested/banging off stuff environment of the KDX may result in different recommendations than the typical MX rider would give. So, I've asked here. What's a common break item on the KDX? Rear brake lever? Shift lever? I want to be prepared for the most fun during my riding, as opposed to "dang, I wish I had bought xxxx because now yyyyy is broken."
I'm also open to any other goodies I should get. I've got 145, 150, 155, 160 main jets, and I'm ordering 40, 42 & 45 pilot jets. I'm ordering Boyesen Power reeds, although a V-Force DII may be in the cards eventually.
I've tried to do my homework on this stuff, but I always appreciate input from people with real-world experience. Thanks for any and all responses & recommendations.
Brandon