Guys,
Nothing new or earth shattering here, but I just wanted to mention how happy I am with my bike. :yeehaw:
A few weeks ago I installed the "new to me" used PC pipe on my '00 KDX 200. The pipe came with a silencer as well, but I left the stock unit on the bike. I like it quiet. I also installed a 12t front sprocket, '98 XR 400 front springs (left 20 mm of spacer, which is too much), and removed the airbox lid.
I've not been able to get a good feel for the bike since then. Here in mid-MO we've been hit by one snowfall after another. This means it's either really snowy, or really muddy. Both are fun, but the rear just spins up so I couldn't really gauge power changes. It did rev noticably faster after pipe installation. Throttle response also seemed improved, with more precise feel.
Today I took the bike out for a spin, since the snow is gone and I've got some non-muddy areas to ride. Wow. First gear is almost too steep to use, but that will come in handy in rock-crawling situations. 2nd is a rippin beast, as well as 3rd! The combination of PC pipe, 12t sprocket and removed airbox lid rock! I was running through the gears going up our driveway. Not leaning back, just a relaxed sit-down stance on the bike while ripping through the gears. I realized it was pulling the front off the ground in 3rd. Not gingerly, but "if I don't let off it'll eventually go over". :aj:
I'm very happy with it currently. It feels like I have the stock low end, with a *greatly* improved top end. I'm sure the low end is due to the 12t sprocket. The PC pipe gives some high-end power, quick revs, and good throttle response. The 12t sprocket mechanically gives back some low end power that the pipe takes away.
The XR springs feel *much* better than stock. I didn't realize why the bike felt so "weird" before. Now I know what a balanced KDX feels like! (for my 185 lb weight). I used a pipe cutter to cut the stock metal preload tubes down. This kept the cuts square, and made them clean. I filed/sanded off any burrs. I like the idea of the metal spacers better than PVC. I left 20mm of spacer, which is too much. Easier to cut down, though, than to add on.
A friend of mine, who has owned/rode a CR 500 since his early (yes, *early*) teens spent some time on my KDX. He also owns a '95 YZ 250, won many regional MX races as a kid, and is currently a (club) championship winning roadracer. I value his input.
When riding my stock bike he thought it was pretty much a "turd", with a crappy front end. ;) Nothing unexpected there! After riding in the above config, though, he was very impressed. He said it handled a lot better, felt more planted, and ran *much* more like a MX 250 than he would have expected. I've not spent time on an MX 250, but for a newbie like me, all that is good stuff to hear! Especially for an expense of less than $160 for everything (pipe, silencer, sprocket, springs). :thumb:
Sorry for the waste of space...I just wanted to say I'm tickled with my bike! Now if I can just find a used FMF torque to experiment with, and I desperately need to get a skidplate/handguards...
Brandon
Nothing new or earth shattering here, but I just wanted to mention how happy I am with my bike. :yeehaw:
A few weeks ago I installed the "new to me" used PC pipe on my '00 KDX 200. The pipe came with a silencer as well, but I left the stock unit on the bike. I like it quiet. I also installed a 12t front sprocket, '98 XR 400 front springs (left 20 mm of spacer, which is too much), and removed the airbox lid.
I've not been able to get a good feel for the bike since then. Here in mid-MO we've been hit by one snowfall after another. This means it's either really snowy, or really muddy. Both are fun, but the rear just spins up so I couldn't really gauge power changes. It did rev noticably faster after pipe installation. Throttle response also seemed improved, with more precise feel.
Today I took the bike out for a spin, since the snow is gone and I've got some non-muddy areas to ride. Wow. First gear is almost too steep to use, but that will come in handy in rock-crawling situations. 2nd is a rippin beast, as well as 3rd! The combination of PC pipe, 12t sprocket and removed airbox lid rock! I was running through the gears going up our driveway. Not leaning back, just a relaxed sit-down stance on the bike while ripping through the gears. I realized it was pulling the front off the ground in 3rd. Not gingerly, but "if I don't let off it'll eventually go over". :aj:
I'm very happy with it currently. It feels like I have the stock low end, with a *greatly* improved top end. I'm sure the low end is due to the 12t sprocket. The PC pipe gives some high-end power, quick revs, and good throttle response. The 12t sprocket mechanically gives back some low end power that the pipe takes away.
The XR springs feel *much* better than stock. I didn't realize why the bike felt so "weird" before. Now I know what a balanced KDX feels like! (for my 185 lb weight). I used a pipe cutter to cut the stock metal preload tubes down. This kept the cuts square, and made them clean. I filed/sanded off any burrs. I like the idea of the metal spacers better than PVC. I left 20mm of spacer, which is too much. Easier to cut down, though, than to add on.
A friend of mine, who has owned/rode a CR 500 since his early (yes, *early*) teens spent some time on my KDX. He also owns a '95 YZ 250, won many regional MX races as a kid, and is currently a (club) championship winning roadracer. I value his input.
When riding my stock bike he thought it was pretty much a "turd", with a crappy front end. ;) Nothing unexpected there! After riding in the above config, though, he was very impressed. He said it handled a lot better, felt more planted, and ran *much* more like a MX 250 than he would have expected. I've not spent time on an MX 250, but for a newbie like me, all that is good stuff to hear! Especially for an expense of less than $160 for everything (pipe, silencer, sprocket, springs). :thumb:
Sorry for the waste of space...I just wanted to say I'm tickled with my bike! Now if I can just find a used FMF torque to experiment with, and I desperately need to get a skidplate/handguards...
Brandon
