What KX250 years should I avoid?

The last one I had was a 1999 and I loved it. The only problem I had was the bolt that held the rear brake on broke twice. A buddy that works at a machine shop made one for me and never had a problem after that.

I am sure opinions will abound on this topic. I wouldn't count out a YZ in the 2001 - 2002 range as the same buddy mentioned above had one and I liked the bike alot as well. Look for the right deal and ask local dirtbikers how the local shops support the brand. Send OKKxer and DWreck a message on here as they are both Okies and ride KXs for some info on good Kawasaki parts dealers. One of them may know of a bike for sale too

If you're getting a used bike you'll have better luck with a CR...

john3_16 said:

If you're getting a used bike you'll have better luck with a CR...

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I guess there's gotta be one of these in every which bike thread:uh:

john3_16 said:

If you're getting a used bike you'll have better luck with a CR...

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:rotfl: ........................................... :rotfl:

If you are getting a used bike you will have better luck with a bike that has been taken care of....doesn't matter what color. ;)

You won't go wrong with any of the late model KXs as long as it has been maintained. I'm kind of partial to the green bikes too :)

I have a 97 and 2000, Derek has a 98 and Jeff has a 99. When I was in my own little world (without the internet) 75 % of the people in my hometown rode KX's. Somewhere around thirty from 95's to 00's. Mostly from test riding your buddy's. They turned well, for the time, yet retained some stability. The power was all low-end from 95 to 96, then the 97 on gained some topend pull. The lowend punch was smoothed into the mid in 99. No one had any of the problems attributed to KX's (bad plating, weak big-end bearings). My 97 is currently suffering through my clutch abusing stepson, with a million hours on the stock plating, although you can feel a ridge.

In sum, I agree the color and year are secondary to the hours, and especially the treatment the bike has recieved. The KX power valve system and the linkage are complicated, but reliable if taken care of.

Moteaux said:

I guess there's gotta be one of these in every which bike thread:uh:

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This is just based on my experiences and the experiences of a good friend of mine that worked as a motorcycle mechanic and has been around the sport for a very long time and another friend that was a professional team green rider in the 90's.

From a engineering standpoint the Honda has a very clean, well thought out, and precise design.

Well, I've owned Kawasaki and Honda's and my Honda's have always held up better....My kx would snap bolts tightening them down to specified torque, lose bolts after a 15 minute practice session(several occasions), twist off the soft rubber transmission oil caps (if you get a KX immediately throw away the soft rubber and get a billet aluminum plug or hard plastic or you'll twist it off changing oil right before practice), levers snapped like twigs instead of bending if you drop it in a slow corner (Honda's uses forged levers and bend instead of break, Kawasaki may have upgraded by now but maybe not considering the soft rubber transmission oil cap has been there since the 80's).

It's just a bummer when you're out riding and you have to call it a day because your silencer is bouncing around because a bolt fell off, or because your shift lever is stripped and you have to keep your foot pressed against it so it won't fall off the shaft as you ride it back to the truck...Or you miss a day of riding because you're putting a replacement part back on your bike and the stock oem part doesn't fit because it is out of alignment...Or you're doing regular maintenance and a bolt strips, breaks, or bends....

Maybe kawasaki has gotten better...This is based on kx's of the 80's and 90' models...But I'm not so sure about taking a chance in laying down money for a KX for a while. And I'll caution those that do consider buying one(especially a used kx) with the experiences of those that ride hard...

I'm sure they've improved somewhat, I hope they have because Kawasaki has made some good performing bikes that run good...My kx ran and handled great..They make great motors but durability everywhere else seemed to be lacking...I really like that green though.

john3_16 said:

This is just based on my experiences and the experiences of a good friend of mine that worked as a motorcycle mechanic and has been around the sport for a very long time and another friend that was a professional team green rider in the 90's.

From a engineering standpoint the Honda has a very clean, well thought out, and precise design etc... etc..

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Now you have a post that someone can use. Good job, well thought out and well written and doesn't sound like someone trolling for internet garbage. The latter is said in all sincerity.

I agree with those that say that a well taken care of bike will most like serve the next owner well, provided they keep up with the proper maintenance. Hondas, Yamahas, Kawasaki and the lot... everyone has their horror stories. I have minimal trouble with any of my bikes and I like to think it comes from diligent maintenance and care. I feel confident when I sell a bike to someone that they are still getting a quality motorcycle.

john 316, which KX models did you own? It sounds like you could have benefitted from some blue LocTite.

In my younger days of overtightening everything, I snapped the head off one of those oil fill plugs. The aftermarket companies need to make them in something besides red.

I have owned at least one bike from all of the big four (dating back to a '74 Kawasaki F-11 250 to my current steed, a '03 Kaw KX250). What I've learned from my experiences is it is not color but care that makes the bike. My bike prior to my green machine was a '00 Honda CR250. It was a nice bike that I maintained very well, but it had it's quirks about it I didn't care for too. I've had no problems with any bolts or hardware on my current race bike. In fact it has held up so well the past two seasons that I'll be racing it again next season! I figure thats pretty good for about twenty enduro's a year. Any modern KX-250 that was properly maintaned will be a great bike. The newer you can afford to purchase, the better (that goes for any off-road bike).

The main thing to consider when deciding what year used bike you would like is the huge advance in suspension over the years. Even a 5 yr old bike will be noticeably more dated suspension-wise than a new bike. You just have to decide if you're willing to spend more money for more bike. The newer bikes are all so good that it comes down to personal preferences in which brand is best. You have to decide which you like best. Any problems can usually be solved by the aftermarket anyway.