126mi Maiden Voyage (new to me) 2006 KDX200 [PICS & VIDEO]
Posted: 02:16 am Oct 19 2016
So after getting this bike home I began to go all through it as I have mentioned before. I finally got to take it out for a ride. I have not ridden in 2.5 years. And I came off an 08 CR450. One of those "I should'a never sold" bikes. I also had not ridden a 2-stroke since 1999.
As I had also mentioned before, my nephew had been pestering me with riding photos the last couple years. He belongs to a riding group out in Lake Havasu Az. Well now the season has begun due to lower temperatures. And for this reason is why I went out and bought the cleanest KDX I could find. The ride was scheduled to be around 130 miles.
I am 35 lbs over weight, out of shape, and almost 50. I knew I was going to be challenged. But I have to say I really enjoyed the ride. It is mostly dry desert terrain. Basically rocks, sand, and super hard pack. We did make our way into some water crossings and eventually paradise at the very end. It was a tad hot for me at right around 100-102. So the water was welcomed as at one point late in the ride I thought I may be pushing myself a little too hard.
THE BIKE:
Ahh the Kawis.... I remember now! They don't want to settle into a turn, they want to push and then all of the sudden under-steer! I have owned several Kawis in the past. And I remember this feeling with this 05-06 Perimeter frame bikes all too well. It was also still way too rich on the bottom with a 45/155 & middle clip. We did a small shake down ride the day before so I was able to tweak a little more before the big ride. I dropped the pilot to a 42, went one more 1/4 turn out on the air screw and it cleaned it right up. Starts first kick, idles great. It is now perfect. Nothing sounds better than a well jetted 2-stroke. I am now able to lug it around since cleaning up the bottom end also. 1st gear was nearly unusable as it just revved out in about 1 second.
I was really digging the feeling of a super light bike. It was easy to ride in that respect. But the gearing and turning specifically made me think more than I wanted to.
Things I may mess with before the next ride.
I think I may ram the fork tubes up a few MM to see if I can get it to turn better.
I may go smaller out back to try and broaden the power a little as 1st is nearly unusable.
Here are some photos of getting the bike ready and then the ride also. There is also a link to a video one rider took. I am the guy on the green bike.
Swapped the bent and gaffed front fender with this cool more modern looking one.
Yanked the bent super low stocker bars for some RC High Bend Renthals, new grips and bar pad. I also spun the bar mounts around so as to push the bars more farward.
Nice clean new ones. The stock gas cap was also cracked and leaking.
Off to Havasu! 4.5 hour drive!
Friday evenings shake down ride.
Saturday morning overlooking Lake Havasu Az about 25 miles in.
Some rocks.
Crossing over Parker Dam
My fat butt working through water.
Ahhhh! Paradise.
Youtube ride video.
[youtube][/youtube]
As I had also mentioned before, my nephew had been pestering me with riding photos the last couple years. He belongs to a riding group out in Lake Havasu Az. Well now the season has begun due to lower temperatures. And for this reason is why I went out and bought the cleanest KDX I could find. The ride was scheduled to be around 130 miles.
I am 35 lbs over weight, out of shape, and almost 50. I knew I was going to be challenged. But I have to say I really enjoyed the ride. It is mostly dry desert terrain. Basically rocks, sand, and super hard pack. We did make our way into some water crossings and eventually paradise at the very end. It was a tad hot for me at right around 100-102. So the water was welcomed as at one point late in the ride I thought I may be pushing myself a little too hard.
THE BIKE:
Ahh the Kawis.... I remember now! They don't want to settle into a turn, they want to push and then all of the sudden under-steer! I have owned several Kawis in the past. And I remember this feeling with this 05-06 Perimeter frame bikes all too well. It was also still way too rich on the bottom with a 45/155 & middle clip. We did a small shake down ride the day before so I was able to tweak a little more before the big ride. I dropped the pilot to a 42, went one more 1/4 turn out on the air screw and it cleaned it right up. Starts first kick, idles great. It is now perfect. Nothing sounds better than a well jetted 2-stroke. I am now able to lug it around since cleaning up the bottom end also. 1st gear was nearly unusable as it just revved out in about 1 second.
I was really digging the feeling of a super light bike. It was easy to ride in that respect. But the gearing and turning specifically made me think more than I wanted to.
Things I may mess with before the next ride.
I think I may ram the fork tubes up a few MM to see if I can get it to turn better.
I may go smaller out back to try and broaden the power a little as 1st is nearly unusable.
Here are some photos of getting the bike ready and then the ride also. There is also a link to a video one rider took. I am the guy on the green bike.
Swapped the bent and gaffed front fender with this cool more modern looking one.
Yanked the bent super low stocker bars for some RC High Bend Renthals, new grips and bar pad. I also spun the bar mounts around so as to push the bars more farward.
Nice clean new ones. The stock gas cap was also cracked and leaking.
Off to Havasu! 4.5 hour drive!
Friday evenings shake down ride.
Saturday morning overlooking Lake Havasu Az about 25 miles in.
Some rocks.
Crossing over Parker Dam
My fat butt working through water.
Ahhhh! Paradise.
Youtube ride video.
[youtube][/youtube]
