The History of the KDX

[bultaco4ever]

I want to get a vintage KDX. They are pretty cool bikes. Does anyone know the history of the KDX line? When they appeared, engine sizes offered, etc.

 

[dirt bike dave]

http://justkdx.dirtrider.net/

 

[sr5bidder]

I would like to get an 88 myself as they are air cooled and have the kips too

 

[glad2ride]

1979 KDX400
1980 KDX80, KDX175, KDX250, KDX400
1981 KDX80, KDX175, KDX250, KDX420
1982 KDX80, KDX175, KDX250, KDX450
1983 KDX80, KDX200, KDX250
1984 KDX80, KDX200, KDX250
1985 KDX80, KDX200
1986 KDX80, KDX200
1987 KDX80, KDX200
1988 KDX80, KDX200
1989 KDX200
1990 KDX200
1991 KDX200, KDX250
1992 KDX200, KDX250
1993 KDX200, KDX250
1994 KDX200, KDX250
1995 KDX200
1996 KDX200
1997 KDX200, KDX220R
1998 KDX200, KDX220R
1999 KDX200, KDX220R
2000 KDX200, KDX220R
2001 KDX200, KDX220R
2002 KDX200, KDX220R
2003 KDX50, KDX200, KDX220R
2004 KDX50, KDX200, KDX220R
2005 KDX50, KDX200, KDX220R
2006 KDX50, KDX200

Collect them all! :-)

 

[bultaco4ever]

This is great! I'm ready to start living the KDX dream. One for me and one for my grandson. Are parts still readily available on the earliest models? Like piston rings, crank seals, cables.

I notice that 2006 was the last model year. Is that when 2 stokes were discontinued? Am I right on that...two strokes are gone?

 

[dirt bike dave]

I think it is going to be hard to find parts for the earlier years, '82 and before especially.

Side panels and good plastic are going to be hard to find for most old bikes.

The '83 200 was improved over the earlier KDX175, and the '83 - '85 bikes were very good for their time and quite popular (my first brand new bike was an '84 KDX200 - loved it!). '83 - '85 are very similar. Nice handling. Stock forks need stiffer springs and the brakes were fair even by mid '80's standards.

'86 - '88 got the KIPS valve and a disc brake, better frame and bigger forks. These bikes are a blast and pull pretty strong on top. Like pretty much all KDX's, the stock forks need stiffer springs and less compression damping.

'89 was the first water cooled year, and had a rear disc. These are fine, reliable trail bikes, and when set up right will get around a trail very well.

The '91 - '94 KDX250 were poorly set up from the factory (horrible jetting and forks, etc...) but with some tuning, these are a diamond in the rough and can be made to work very well (they are heavy, though).

 

[bultaco4ever]

Wow...you sound pretty experienced. Thanks for your insight. If you ever need help on a Bultaco, let me know. (they are still the best!)

 

[dirt bike dave]

LOL, I've had 3 KDX's. Great bikes.

When I was a kid, my neighbor's across the street had Bultacos.

I got to ride their '75+- 250 Frontera and 125 Pursang. I liked the Frontera alot. But the non powervavle Pursang was typical of those hyper 125's from the '70's. A little tough to keep up on the pipe, and not much fun when off the pipe.

 

[mudpack]

Once a bike is over 15 years old, many OEM parts are no longer available. Sometimes the aftermarket will pick up on obsolete parts that are still in high demand, but you sure can't count on it.
Unfortunately, Kawasaki is one of the worst about supporting its old models.

 

[Joburble]

I notice that 2006 was the last model year. Is that when 2 stokes were discontinued? Am I right on that...two strokes are gone?

Kawasaki 2 stroke adult bikes are gone.

 

[bultaco4ever]

Pop the champagne!....I just picked up a 1997 KDX 220! Wheeeee! I am really thrilled. So, I may be asking for a lot of advice now as I try to learn more about my new bike. I know that some of you grow weary of newbies asking the same old questions over and over again. That's just because the KDX is so popular and newbies are born every day. You just have to ignore some of the inane topics that come up. They are inane to you but brain stumpers to someone else. It's kind of like television...if you don't like what's on, just change the channel or turn it off. I've got an advantage over most newbies. I'm 56 years old and have been riding and wrenching on dirt bikes since I was twelve. But, I've never owned a Kaw before, so it's a new game to me. Guys like me are doing you a favor by increasing the resale value of your KDX every time we enter the market. You've got to love us for that. Peace...out.

 

[Joburble]

Congrats! :cool:

 

[bultaco4ever]

Thanks...tomorrow or Friday I'm picking up a '67 Bultaco Matador 250, too. These bikes can be moneymakers! Ole' (pronounced Olay)

 

[glad2ride]

Congratulations. You won't have any trouble finding parts, new or used.

The EPA is what took out the KDX.

 

[bultaco4ever]

So, my owners manual says run pre-mix at 32:1. I usually use Golden Spectro at 42:1. Any recommendations out there?

 

[julien_d]

32:1 is best. 40:1 is ok, maybe. Your best bet is to run the factory recommended 32:1 and jet the bike accordingly. If you choose to run less oil, you can probably do so safely as long as the jetting is adjusted accordingly. I see no benefit, aside from saving a couple bucks in oil.

J.

 

[river251]

I think it is going to be hard to find parts for the earlier years, '82 and before especially.

Side panels and good plastic are going to be hard to find for most old bikes.

The '83 200 was improved over the earlier KDX175, and the '83 - '85 bikes were very good for their time and quite popular (my first brand new bike was an '84 KDX200 - loved it!). '83 - '85 are very similar. Nice handling. Stock forks need stiffer springs and the brakes were fair even by mid '80's standards.

'86 - '88 got the KIPS valve and a disc brake, better frame and bigger forks. These bikes are a blast and pull pretty strong on top. Like pretty much all KDX's, the stock forks need stiffer springs and less compression damping.

'89 was the first water cooled year, and had a rear disc. These are fine, reliable trail bikes, and when set up right will get around a trail very well.

The '91 - '94 KDX250 were poorly set up from the factory (horrible jetting and forks, etc...) but with some tuning, these are a diamond in the rough and can be made to work very well (they are heavy, though).

Oh! Don't stop there, please. I am looking and would like your toughts on the 95 and later bikes. Didn't they change in 95 or 96?

Thanks!

 

[julien_d]

95 received a new perimeter frame and slightly redesigned engine. No other real changes from then to 06.

 

[sr5bidder]

except for the awsome idea to drop the purple seat cover and go to black then around 04 they changed frame color to silver and tank color to black (very nice looking bikes)

 

[Green Hornet]

Congratulations. You won't have any trouble finding parts, new or used.

The EPA is what took out the KDX.

Disagree...KTM is importing 2ts into the US & Yamaha still makes the YZ250. The sales on the KDX were not working the numbers for MAW KAW. I have a 85 KDX200 & OEM Parts are DIFFICULT to get. Call Fredette if your looking for vintage KDX parts...

 

[bultaco4ever]

My buddy, who I kept needling to get back into dirt bikes, went out and bought a 85 KDX 200. And he lives not too far from Fredette. Jeff has been very helpful with his restoration of this project. I then got jealous and went out and found a nearly perfect condition 97 KDX 220. I need to spend 'zero' to get it in good riding condition. (it already is in good riding condition). My buddy is mad because I'll have less $ in my '97 than he will when he's done with his '85. My bike has the 'purple' seat.

 

[julien_d]

My buddy, who I kept needling to get back into dirt bikes, went out and bought a 85 KDX 200. And he lives not too far from Fredette. Jeff has been very helpful with his restoration of this project. I then got jealous and went out and found a nearly perfect condition 97 KDX 220. I need to spend 'zero' to get it in good riding condition. (it already is in good riding condition). My buddy is mad because I'll have less $ in my '97 than he will when he's done with his '85. My bike has the 'purple' seat.

Yeah it tends to happen that way. Once your buddy gets over his investment though, he's gonna know he's got a bike that he rebuilt with the help of a pro, and he knows EXACTLY what he has. You have someone else's bike and you're pretty sure it needs nothing. I'd bet you a hundy it's gonna need SOMETHING pretty soon! ;)

Tell your buddy not to worry about it. You'll catch up to him soon enough! Keeping a bike (any bike) costs money. Sad but true?

 

[bultaco4ever]

Well, yeah...you're right. I know I'll spend $ on it. I just bought a tire for it so I'm already on that road. I've only owned one water cooled bike before this one. The air cooled are so easy to work on that there is something to be said for that.

 

[julien_d]

Yeah, the air cooled bikes are a little more simple. Not that much though. Congrats on the bike, btw :). It should treat you well. The KDX is about as reliable as a trail bike can be.