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**New /Old KDX220R 2001 info request
Posted: 07:02 pm Jun 09 2020
by Rippy11
Hey fellas/Gals
I recently purchased a KDX (proud to be here) and its been a great experience thus far. I just want to be sure I am on the right track here. I have a few questions below if anyone on here can help me answer them.
1. What should I be changing regularly (as far as oils etc) and after how many hours/km use.
2. What are some good exhaust options in the FMF family. I am looking to make it sound a little more badssery ;)
3. I hear the stock piston isnt the best at what hour on the bike should I be concerned about this?
4. What piston is recommended and do I need to replace the entire top end when I do piston if so what is required.
Links/sites would be helpful for the exhaust and piston.
Thanks homies.
Re: **New /Old KDX220R 2001 info request
Posted: 09:50 pm Jun 09 2020
by doakley
Rippy11 wrote: 07:02 pm Jun 09 2020
Hey fellas/Gals
I recently purchased a KDX (proud to be here) and its been a great experience thus far. I just want to be sure I am on the right track here. I have a few questions below if anyone on here can help me answer them.
1. What should I be changing regularly (as far as oils etc) and after how many hours/km use.
I use ATF and change after every race or every 2-3 rides. Probably too frequent but the autoclutch in my bike makes it run a little hotter.
2. What are some good exhaust options in the FMF family. I am looking to make it sound a little more badssery ;)
If ALL you are looking for is a noisier bike, get a KTM.;) !
Seriously? Remove the air box lid (you'll have to rejet the carb)
If you are just dying to send FMF your money, go with a Rev (Desert) pipe for the 220 with FMF silencer (PLEASE use the spark arrestor model?)
3. I hear the stock piston isnt the best at what hour on the bike should I be concerned about this?
ZERO, Nada, none, 0, do it NOW!
4. What piston is recommended and do I need to replace the entire top end when I do piston if so what is required.
I like Weisco, others like different brands.
Links/sites would be helpful for the exhaust and piston.
Biggest favor you can do yourself and the bike is to get a manual.
Thanks homies.
Re: **New /Old KDX220R 2001 info request
Posted: 11:17 pm Jun 09 2020
by KDXGarage
You may want to buy a service manual, either by finding an OEM version or the Cyclepedia version. It will show about the fluids, plus be the best money you can spend on a bike. For me, if one has no clue how old the fluids are, one can change the fluids and know exactly how old they are.
FMF Desert and Turbine Core II seem popular on this site for 1995+.
Take apart the top end and check it. BEWARE of the left hand threads on the power valve shaft nut (as mentioned in the manuals mentioned above) Could be good as new, could have a hairline crack about to detonate. Who knows? :-)
Wiseco is popular and well respected for the KDX220R.
Re: **New /Old KDX220R 2001 info request
Posted: 11:57 pm Jun 09 2020
by SS109
Rippy11 wrote: 07:02 pm Jun 09 2020
Hey fellas/Gals
I recently purchased a KDX (proud to be here) and its been a great experience thus far. I just want to be sure I am on the right track here. I have a few questions below if anyone on here can help me answer them.
1. What should I be changing regularly (as far as oils etc) and after how many hours/km use.
2. What are some good exhaust options in the FMF family. I am looking to make it sound a little more badssery ;)
3. I hear the stock piston isnt the best at what hour on the bike should I be concerned about this?
4. What piston is recommended and do I need to replace the entire top end when I do piston if so what is required.
Links/sites would be helpful for the exhaust and piston.
Thanks homies.
1. Trans oil every 10 hours or so. It all depends on your setup, where you ride, and how hard you ride. I'm another ATF Type F fluid user for the trans. Clean air filter when it starts looking dirty. Change coolant every few years. Change spark plug once a year, not that it is a must do, but just because. Try to keep fuel less than a month old if using ethanol pump gas.
2. FMF Gnarly desert pipe and Turbinecore II silencer. It really won't make it sound "more badssery" but will wake the bike up power wise and will keep you off road legal as far as having a legal spark arrestor and not being in excess of 96db.
3. Yes you should be very concerned! If it truly is the stock piston then don't even start your bike again until it's been replaced. The stock piston is known to grenade without warning and, if you're lucky, will require doing a complete rebuild at minimum if it lets go.
4. I will only use forged pistons in the 220. Wiseco is a good and proven brand.
RMATV will have the exhaust and piston.
Re: **New /Old KDX220R 2001 info request
Posted: 08:55 am Jun 10 2020
by Rippy11
Awsome thanks much guys.
KDX garage - lol Ya bud I changed the fluids as soon as I got the bike I was wondering how often after but it appears that questioned was answered in this thread. I ordered a service manual 3 days ago so hope to get that soon.
Thanking yall for the answers enjoy your riding and be safe during these odd times.
Re: **New /Old KDX220R 2001 info request
Posted: 09:45 am Jun 11 2020
by Rippy11
Can someone send me a link to a site where I can purchase this Weisco forged piston - I appreciate it.
Re: **New /Old KDX220R 2001 info request
Posted: 09:58 am Jun 11 2020
by Rippy11
One more thing - my buddie is trying to tell me these KDX220r have oil filters but like I mentioned I am new and I dont believe the two stroke does have one but maybe I am wrong. Can someone confirm - thx again and eventually I wont ask as many questions lol
Re: **New /Old KDX220R 2001 info request
Posted: 10:06 am Jun 11 2020
by pumpguy
No oil filter; it's a two stroke. It may have an auto-lube system so you don't have to use premix fuel. If it does, it will have a separate oil tank.
Re: **New /Old KDX220R 2001 info request
Posted: 08:43 pm Jun 11 2020
by Rippy11
Thanks pumpguy I have been mixing so I thing im on the right track. Any recommended sites to purchse a piston (forged) and top end kit?
Re: **New /Old KDX220R 2001 info request
Posted: 12:46 am Jun 12 2020
by SS109
Rippy11 wrote: 09:45 am Jun 11 2020
Can someone send me a link to a site where I can purchase this Weisco forged piston - I appreciate it.
https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/part ... it-p?v=135
Now, I personally would want to know what size (A, B, C, or D) piston is in there currently before ordering one to match it up. You can easily find all the sizes on Ebay, along with top end kits, for the 220. Just don't cheap out and buy a cast piston for the 220.
Rippy11 wrote: 09:58 am Jun 11 2020
One more thing - my buddie is trying to tell me these KDX220r have oil filters but like I mentioned I am new and I dont believe the two stroke does have one but maybe I am wrong. Can someone confirm - thx again and eventually I wont ask as many questions lol
No filter on a US spec KDX. Only air filter, fuel strainer attached to the petcock going up inside the tank, and possibly an external fuel filter if someone added one.
Re: **New /Old KDX220R 2001 info request
Posted: 08:01 am Jun 14 2020
by Rippy11
Hey , When you say "cast piston" I assume thats different then a forged piston? Someone told me to order a forged. I have no clue, pretty green to this. I also do not know what piston is in there but I want to say stock.
Re: **New /Old KDX220R 2001 info request
Posted: 08:04 am Jun 14 2020
by Rippy11
Is there recommended spark plug for this KDX...The one I got with the bike from the previous owner is part#BR9ES NGKR. Do I have to put oil on it before I change it out? thanks guys.
Re: **New /Old KDX220R 2001 info request
Posted: 09:25 am Jun 14 2020
by kdxsully
Rippy11 wrote: 08:01 am Jun 14 2020
Hey , When you say "cast piston" I assume thats different then a forged piston? Someone told me to order a forged. I have no clue, pretty green to this. I also do not know what piston is in there but I want to say stock.
A casted piston is usually what comes from OEM and some aftermarket brands. They are more prone to breaking than forged, but also expand at the same rate of the cylinder. A forged piston is made with a different process that I can’t remember off the top of my head, but it doesn’t expand at the same rate of the cylinder, so you need to warn your bike up before you ride so ensure you don’t seize the motor. You should be doing that anyways. Forged pistons last longer and are much less prone to breakage.
Re: **New /Old KDX220R 2001 info request
Posted: 10:05 am Jun 14 2020
by KDXGarage
Re: **New /Old KDX220R 2001 info request
Posted: 10:45 am Jun 14 2020
by SS109
BR8ES is the plug to use. No oil on it.
The 220 has a bad reputation with cast pistons. Just do a search on here, or on the internet as a whole, and you'll find lots of stories and pics of exploded cast pistons along with the destroyed cylinders and bottom ends due to it. In the 220 you absolutely do not want the stock piston. Forged pistons only in the 220.
Re: **New /Old KDX220R 2001 info request
Posted: 06:22 am Jun 16 2020
by Sleepr
I see you are in Canada, I use FortNine for a lot of my online bike related purchases. Pretty sure I found a Wiseco piston on there,
Re: **New /Old KDX220R 2001 info request
Posted: 10:40 pm Jun 17 2020
by Rippy11
All you guys have been great thank you so much.
When you rebuild the top end is it possible to do without taking the motor completely out or do you have to go through the whole process of unbolting it etc. ? thx again.
Re: **New /Old KDX220R 2001 info request
Posted: 11:45 pm Jun 17 2020
by Rippy11
Would this be the correct piston ? I am not sure what standard bore or oversize 70mm is?
Re: **New /Old KDX220R 2001 info request
Posted: 11:46 pm Jun 17 2020
by Rippy11
lets try this the right side up
Re: **New /Old KDX220R 2001 info request
Posted: 12:25 am Jun 18 2020
by SS109
Standard size is what you want unless you have specifically had your cylinder bored out 1mm and replated. Not sure that is the correct piston or not as Wiseco's part number (750M06900 - Kawasaki KDX220 '98-05 ProLite 2717CD) is different from what's in your photo.