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I'm looking at a 96 KDX 200 as a project bike. It's been for sale for a while, and the more I research, the more intrigued I am... I may be able to pick it up for next to nothing. Can anyone school me on these bikes. I'm a KTM guy, I rode a 300 for years , but recently moved to a 380. I'm looking for a spare buddy bike that's cheap, easy to ride, not too intimidating for novices, but will go just about any where...

From what I gathered so far the head and cylinder have been pulled... The cylinder is scarred and will need to be re-plated. The head and cylinder have been off the bile for at least 2 months while it's been sitting in a shed. I'm concerned about rust on the crank and crank bearings. So with the cylinder re-plating, and crank repair / replacement, I'm already looking at over $500. I don't know the condition of the tires, chain, sprockets, clutch, wheel bearings, etc... Cosmetics I'm not too concerned with, so for misc parts lets add $200. I'll be doing all of the repairs myself, but I still see spending around $800 on this project, which makes me think I may be spending more to bring it back to life than its worth... Like I said It's going to be a buddy bike so I really don't want to invest to much, but is it worth it... or should I just walk away

What is the going price for a decent 96 KDX 200?

I'm thinking I'm going to walk away from this one... Best case I'll spent around $500 in repairs, but I'm never that lucky. If they want to give it me OK, but for now I think I'll continue to look.

I bought a KDX in close to the same state for 400 a while ago, spend another 700 to get it road worthy, would have been more if fellow members would have been less helpful...and that was with the lower end in good shape

I then put it for sale for 1500 (willing to sell for a little less) and never got any serious inquiries on it so I kept it

I'm thinking I'll take it for free if they want it out of their shed, but if not... no thanks. I'm guessing the real world selling price to be $900 to $1,000 for a solid running bike. That's going to be close to what I'll have in it. I'll make and offer to take off their hands for free, but other than that... I'll pass

thanks diymirage you reaffirmed my thoughts.

KDX's are great bikes. But. If you are looking at resale then you need to consider that to sell a KDX you need to find someone looking for a KDX. For whatever reason they tend to sit for sale until someone is looking for one. Again, they are great bikes, but with a limited market.

I did make an offer of $50. We'll see how bad they want it out of their shed.

eprovenzano wrote:I did make an offer of $50. We'll see how bad they want it out of their shed.

I think you got some good advice here, but as far as your original requirements go (bike that's cheap, easy to ride, not too intimidating for novices, but will go just about any where), the KDX is a great choice. And I would add to that, cheap to maintain. KDXs are pretty robust.

I agree - it depends how much you are concerned with resale. If they accept your offer and you get it cheap and rebuild it yourself, at least you will know what you have instead of having to rely on a seller to disclose all information on another bike fully and accurately. Good luck either way.

Yeah, in that condition I wouldn't give them much for it. If you think you're going to be reselling in the future, then orange is the only way to go that will hold value...the dirt world has been brainwashed into believing that KTM is the only viable game left in town. As stated above, KDXs have a narrow and faithful audience. That said, if you get it for next to nothing, then drop 800 you'll have a buddy bike that will likely outlast your 380, and probably any other combination of red, orange, blue, or yellow. (Assuming you don't make the mistake of riding it yourself and then keeping it lol).

bufftester wrote:you'll have a buddy bike that will likely outlast your 380, and probably any other combination of red, orange, blue, or yellow. (Assuming you don't make the mistake of riding it yourself and then keeping it lol).

wouldn't be the first one on here who had a different coloured stable and stumbled on a KDX
and depending on your age you will either love the KDX seat or LOVE it...its almost like a lazyboy on wheels

Well they countered my offer... $75.00, I guess I can handle that... My list of previous bikes includes a KX 250, so I’m familiar with the green machines…. My current stable is all orange 2001 KTM 380 (mine), 2000 KTM 300 (son’s), and a 2006 KTM 250SXF (spare). I recently finished a bottom and top end rebuild on the 250F. I’m not a 4 stroke guy, and the 250F will be sold. Sorry but four stroke bikes are (at least to me) boring, and very expensive when something goes wrong. I see them as a ticking time bomb. I’m old school, and prefer smokers… different strokes for different folks.

I’ll pick the bike up next week, and then I’ll begin the tear down process to see what can be saved, and what needs to be replaced. I've already gone through my parts bin to see what I can use on the 200. I've got a rear tire (18"), levers, and some more other parts I can use. Anything to keep the rebuild on the cheap.

I’ll document everything as I tear down, and rebuild.

Here's how she currently sits. Yes all the parts and pieces are there, they just need cleaned, rebuilt and re-installed

First problem I see is that is not a 1996 200. The 1995-2007 200 (and the 97-06 220) had a perimeter frame borrowed from the KX line. This is more likely a 90-92 E-series (the 93-94 had USD forks anodized blue). Quick check of the frame VIN will nail down the year for you.

While not an H-series, the Es are still bulletproof and excellent machines. My dad is still riding his 93 200 that he bought new.

bufftester wrote:First problem I see is that is not a 1996 200. The 1995-2007 200 (and the 97-06 220) had a perimeter frame borrowed from the KX line. This is more likely a 90-92 E-series (the 93-94 had USD forks anodized blue). Quick check of the frame VIN will nail down the year for you.

While not an H-series, the Es are still bulletproof and excellent machines. My dad is still riding his 93 200 that he bought new.

Well that's ok... although I will confirm the vin to know the proper year of the bike. thanks for the heads up

Thought I seen that bike before he listed it in butler pa cl for 300 I immediately thought crackhead myself. For 75 your not off to a bad start. Yea definetly not h series.

That's the bike. Based on a potential buyer I was able to gather the cylinder needs replated . It will need a new top end. I'm hoping the bottom end is fine. For $75 I think I can turn this bike around . I'm expecting to invest another $500. If all goes as planned it will still be worth a little more than my investment. I've already received an offer from a kdx rider who said if it's too much of a project he'll give $150 for it.

My plans are to let my future son-in-law ride the bike. He's only been on dirt once. I borrowed a 99 kx 125 which he did pretty well on, but he loved riding the 300.

So the winter project will begin next week after I pick it up.

I had my top end redone by langcourt LTD, great service and good turnaround but expect to spend between 4 and 500 on the top end alone
oh, and if there is any doubt on the bore send the center powervalve along so they can cut it down if they need to overbore the barrel

Good luck on your project bike. I saw that listing and you got a good deal.

Well I contacted the seller to make arrangements to pick up the bike. Unfortunately I and was told the daughters boyfriend wants the bike and they were going to give it to him... Damn... Oh well, the search continues.

You might be better off, to get a more complete or running bike. I was shopping for a CRF70 for my boy, and some nut wanted 400 for one in similar shape to that KDX. I bought a pristine running one for 700. I enjoy fixing bikes, but don't have the time anymore.