The Perfect Trail Bike Is Already Here

[duke]

In the most recent edition of Dirt Bike there contains an article where the writer (s) attempts to nominate the perfect trail bike based on whats available today. The choices are limited to 4 strokes as it is being porported that 2 strokes are on the way out because of pending enviromental concerns. He cites that the 250 4T series of bikes, though relatively nimble and light, lack the necessary torque that lends their motors as suitable for off road riding. He then notes the 450F models are simply too heavy and powerful for most to use effectively in single track situations. The answer is to purchase a 250F off road model and sink a few thousand in it (sic) to render a bike that features the strengths of both of a 250 and 450, but without their drawbacks. I would venture to say that such a bike already exists, that being a good clean late model KDX 200/220. Besides all the aforementioned positive attributes, these bikes are durable and easy to maintain, an concern often over looked or omitted from such articles. There is no need for me to toot the horn for the KDX since anyone who ventures on to this site is already an admirer of the model. It would be intriguing for one of the monthly rags to promote a shoot out between a well prepped KDX ( nothing elaborate, just simple jetting and air box mods, supension set up) and run agaisnt a 250 4T in stock format. They could up the ante by taking the same bikes and add a pipe and stiffer springs to the KDX, while allowing equal mods to the thumper. Again the little bantam 2 stroke would prevail. I doubt such an article will ever surface as it will incite some out of the box thinking for those contemplating their next, or first off road bike.

 

[adam728]

The choices are limited to 4 strokes as it is being porported that 2 strokes are on the way out because of pending enviromental concerns.

Just a note, off road 2 stokes are already out. EPA rules tightened significantly, and no 2 strokes produced after 2006 meets them. This means that technically all 2 strokes built in 07 or later are "closed course" bikes. The hydrocarbon emissions are just too low for the bikes to meet. Direct injection could change that, as could the addition of a catalytic convertor (don't laugh, any 2 cycle string trimmer, leaf blower, chainsaw, etc you've seen on the shelves in the last 2 years probably has a very small cat built in the muffler).

Also, EPA states that the motorcycle must meet these emissions standards over 10,000 km of use, or 5 years. :yikes:

 

[crhines]

I owned a highly modified 220 for 2 years - recently replaced it with a KTM 520. I do not miss my 220. The KTM is definately heavier, but the suspension improvement alone was worth the change not to mention the additional 20 hp.

The KDX is a solid trail bike, but it's very old technology.

 

[Sandman 2.0]

Most guys I know purchased 250 four stroke MX bikes and set them up for woods. Heavier flywheel, gearing etc. I think this is a better option than the WR or CRX models. The electric start/battery and lighting seem to add roughly 30 pounds. I personally would give up the estart for a lighter bike. KTM seems to still be pumping development $$ into 2 strokes. Maybe they will have a direct injection system and cat's to keep selling them here. I hope so........I love 2 strokes but the options are getting pretty slim.

 

[SpeedyManiac]

I wouldn't nominate a KDX for best trail bike since the suspension is from the stone age. That said, I agree that two-strokes make better trail bikes than thumpers over the long haul.

 

[Sandman 2.0]

Thats OK, I'm from the stone age also :-)

 

[firffighter]

I've owned 2 KTm 200exc's and now have a KDX220 with lots of mods. I think the KDX has better power delivery than the KTM's. I did quite a few mods on the KTM to get it to have that power delivery that is perfect for tight, nasty trail riding, but the KDX is just better at it IMO.

Yes, the KDX front end is weak at high speeds, but a trail bike is not designed for high speeds. Besides, the best fork I've ever had were the conventionals on my '98 KTM. The KDX front end can be swapped or simply resprung and revalved to balance the rear.

The KDX can be a competitve B or C level bike in modded form.

 

[glad2ride]

There's no need to compare what WAS with what IS. The law changed, and what is legally available now is the KLX450R, CRF250X, CRF450X, WR250F, WR450F, DR-Z400, and various KTM 4-strokes.

What is available new at the dealer AND legal to ride off-road (not a "competition only" model) is pretty limited on choices today.

Keep the law in mind, and any talk of buying a 2-stroke or 4-stroke MX bike and modding it is thrown out the window. Taking off the airbox lid or changing the exhaust pipe on a KDX converts it to "competition use" only. If you want to compare stock to stock, then that is fine, but when you make such changes, you throw it into the same category as a "competition only" modded two-stroke or 4-stroke MX bike.

For the price, the KDX was great. Some other bikes sold at the time were better (KTM 250EXC for example), but for a bike designed to meet its price point, it should be. How awesome would a $4,200 MSRP KTM200EXC have been!? KTM didn't have to meet such a low price point, and the bike (and price tag) shows/showed it.

Don't just compare apples to apples, but Granny Smith to Granny Smith and Washington to Washington, etc.

 

[destructo]

I see all of you guys points but I have to say that my KDX 220 is going to be my first choice in trail bikes for a long time, provided I am kind of the weekend warrior, I dont race or compete, but I do ride alot and I do ride fast, but I can honestly say that I have had literally dozens of dirt bikes, ranging from mxr's to trail bikes to dual sports and can honestly say that I would not take 10 thousand cash for my 220, the only real thing I have left to do to it for it to classify to me as the perfect trail bike is stiffen up the suspension, and maybe a gripper seat. With the new addition of the FMF Rev Pipe, this is the funnest bike I have ever owned, I screwed up and first purchased the woods pipe, I cant believe the difference a pipe can make! The only 4 stroke I have kinda concidered getting is the new KLX 450, the worst case of buyers remorse I have ever had was the purchase of an 07 ktm 450sxf, the biggest POS I have ever owned, everthing leaked, and there was always the fear of the motor grenading, lesson learned, stay with what you know. It is sad to me that you can no longer really go into a bike shop and just pick out the 2 stroke you really want, this country because of tree huggers has gone in the ****ter!

 

[SVandal]

The point of the article was the perfect trail bike. I may have missed it (feel free to point it out), but it didn't say "race" anywhere in there. The KDX is the best out of the box "trail" bike as it doesn't/didn't cost you an appendage or two, it is pretty darned reliable, and it has the power to lift the front wheel at low speeds to clear obstacles. It is lighter than a 4 stroke, has the ergo's of the Honda XR bikes, and has more take off than the four-strokes. If I had to pick a bike solely for the purpose of tooling around the fire roads and single tracks in the woods I would get a KDX or an XR. Since I live in a desert where the largest tree for 50 miles is a Joshua tree I am putting my kdx in a cr chassis as I have lots more wide open sandy areas than tight log/rock infested clay single tracks. So, for a bike for trail riding I would go with the KDX (or a Honda trail 110 :) . Just my .02

 

[fruitfarmer7]

I have been struggling with the same question, I picked up an 04 KDX 220, in good shape for $2,000, replaced the piston, did the air box mods, put on a FMF pipe, and fresh set of tires. Lately I have been drooling after a 4-stroke, either KLX450 or WR250F I saw yesterday set up with street legal lights, horn and mirror. After visiting some of the websites and reading about the additional work both of these bikes need to make them work, and the durability and expense of top end work, I may stick with what I have. The idea of having a "street legal" trailbike that works as well or better than my KDX appeals to me, but $6,000 and the possibility of having something that doesn't work as well as what I do have is holding me back. Additionally there aren't a lot of other 62 yr dirt bike riders out there that want to ride the way I do.