I am looking to buy either a Kawasaki 220R or the 300R. I have mostly ridden street bikes but would like to ride trails. I don't have a lot of time for tinkering, but will enjoy being fairly aggressive in riding. However, I don't need to leave my kids fatherless (hahaha)I am 5' 9" and 160lbs. I want to stay with a lighter bike. I am looking at Kawasaki because of my relationship with the dealer. Any suggestions between these two bikes.
Which? KLX220R OR KLX300R
- Thread starter hiphip
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Jeepin4fun
Member
- Jan 9, 2003
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go with the four stroke, you won't regret it
Zerotact
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- Dec 10, 2002
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Well the main differences between the 200 and the 220 are power delivery. The 200 builds power in the upper rpm range , were the 220 has power on the low end. bolth are good bike they just deliver the power diffrently. My 220 runs, don't get me wrong, but it does not have much of a power hit when it gets into the upper rpms, casuing me to shift, but they have 6 gears, either bike will go plenty fast for anyone who is starting out riding dirtbikes.
I went with my kdx for several reasons, but the main one was price... I could buy one brand new, and afford it. were as a motocross bike I'd have to buy used, and may be buying someone else's problems. I wanted a 2stroke because They are simple to work on, I had a KLX back in the days and it was a royal pain in the a$$ to work on, plus with the timing gear and all that crap it was just too many parts to deal with when a 2 stoke had less parts.
Some people like 4 strokes, they do have some that make serious power, but 4 strokes do not make as much power as a 2 stroke, with the exact same displacement. It is usually about 2x the size of the engine before a 4 stroke makes equal power.
I went with my kdx for several reasons, but the main one was price... I could buy one brand new, and afford it. were as a motocross bike I'd have to buy used, and may be buying someone else's problems. I wanted a 2stroke because They are simple to work on, I had a KLX back in the days and it was a royal pain in the a$$ to work on, plus with the timing gear and all that crap it was just too many parts to deal with when a 2 stoke had less parts.
Some people like 4 strokes, they do have some that make serious power, but 4 strokes do not make as much power as a 2 stroke, with the exact same displacement. It is usually about 2x the size of the engine before a 4 stroke makes equal power.
Both bikes have a big following. They are both said to be down on power and usually require modifications but after the modifications they are some of the best trail bikes. I believe the klx300 (about 24 bhp) requires more modifications than the kdx. Now if you're looking between the 200 and the 220 from what I've read go with the 200. Here is a review of the bikes by trailrider magazine.
http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mcdirt/trailrider/1kdx200.html
http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mcdirt/trailrider/1kdx200.html
Both bikes off the showroom floor require work to be superfast and capable.
For the average rider they work fine. THe KDX is a few pounds lighter and the 2 strokes gain more power with bolt on mods than a 4 stroke.
For maintenance, the 4 strokes will go through top ends less but require oil AND filter. The 2 stroke will require premixing the gas and top ends as needed depending on your riding habits.
For the rest of the bike maintenance, it is the same. Both will require greasing linkages and bearings, changing fork fluids and brakes about the same time. the KLX does have the inverted forks which resist twisting in the ruts and in general more than the conventional. They are not great forks with compression only adjustment, but inverted. You can get a fork brace for the stock KDX units for about $200 from Summers Racing, SRC to stiffen them up.
Upgrades, well the KLX will take a pipe and new nonCV carb to liven it up. The KDX a pipe and Vforce reeds will wake that up. You will also have to jet the KDX properly off the showroom floor to make it run right! Either way you are about $500+ into it there with your first upgrades. After that, work on the suspension like having a revalve or Gold valves or swapping to KX parts done.
Both bikes have a good following out there. So there is tons of info and parts. Which one to get? The KDX is easier to get more out of it simply put. The KLX is a good trail bike, but there are newer and better choices out there in 4 strokes.
my $.02 there. I have a 250KDX cause I like the 250 power, but it is not stock at all! High compression, ported piped etc. . Suspension had a KX fork and Ohlins rear shock. It flies in the woods, but I am going to move into a Yz426 next and go through that motor with high compression, porting and 450 cams. That is where I am coming from.
For the average rider they work fine. THe KDX is a few pounds lighter and the 2 strokes gain more power with bolt on mods than a 4 stroke.
For maintenance, the 4 strokes will go through top ends less but require oil AND filter. The 2 stroke will require premixing the gas and top ends as needed depending on your riding habits.
For the rest of the bike maintenance, it is the same. Both will require greasing linkages and bearings, changing fork fluids and brakes about the same time. the KLX does have the inverted forks which resist twisting in the ruts and in general more than the conventional. They are not great forks with compression only adjustment, but inverted. You can get a fork brace for the stock KDX units for about $200 from Summers Racing, SRC to stiffen them up.
Upgrades, well the KLX will take a pipe and new nonCV carb to liven it up. The KDX a pipe and Vforce reeds will wake that up. You will also have to jet the KDX properly off the showroom floor to make it run right! Either way you are about $500+ into it there with your first upgrades. After that, work on the suspension like having a revalve or Gold valves or swapping to KX parts done.
Both bikes have a good following out there. So there is tons of info and parts. Which one to get? The KDX is easier to get more out of it simply put. The KLX is a good trail bike, but there are newer and better choices out there in 4 strokes.
my $.02 there. I have a 250KDX cause I like the 250 power, but it is not stock at all! High compression, ported piped etc. . Suspension had a KX fork and Ohlins rear shock. It flies in the woods, but I am going to move into a Yz426 next and go through that motor with high compression, porting and 450 cams. That is where I am coming from.
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