KDXRIDER.NET

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Most of you are probably aware of Jordan Ashburn who successfully raced his dad's KDX onto the podium at some GNCC events this year.
................................................................................................................................................................ SOURCE: https://dirtbikemagazine.com/the-weekly ... ial-stabs/

This younger guy kicking butt on a bike in high profile events from my generation really caught my attention. Especially with my 15 YO son giving me grief about my old KDX not being good enough to compete with his more modern KTM, blahblahblah... I often remind my son, that they say, being fast is more about the rider than the bike... but I thought it would be interesting to learn about his set-up because I'd like to know what a really fast guy does to make his dinosaur KDX finish in front of a lot of other really fast guys, particularly when they are mostly riding space-age machines.

So I started following him on Instagram... https://www.instagram.com/jashburn7/

The other day I sent him a question: what is your sprocket selection on the KDX?

To my surprise he answered: 13/50... well, I'm not surprised at the ratio, just surprised that he answered!!!
In order to feel competitive, I like to even the playing field as much as I can. This does wonders for your self-confidence and that counts for a lot towards becoming a better rider/racer. I noticed also he is riding on conventional forks which especially appeals to me since that is how I intend to continue racing mine. I've sent him a followup question about these old school forks to see what he's done there. You can see they are adorned with a yellow Race Tech sticker so we might assume he's running their proprietary Gold Valves. I'm very curious about which springs too. If I hear something back I'll let you guys know!

UPDATE: He did NOT revalve - left it OEM, but went up a couple on his springs front and rear. So like we always say, it's about the rider!!

Thanks for the post! He is doing great!

On the Race Tech parts, they are actually called Gold Valves. The emulators are for the earlier damping rod forks to assist them to work better.

1991 - 1994 KDX250 / 1993 - 2006 KDX200 / 1997 - 2005 KDX220R have cartridge forks.

They offer better tuning options than the stock valving.

KDXGarage wrote: ↑03:29 pm Nov 19 2020 Thanks for the post! He is doing great!

On the Race Tech parts, they are actually called Gold Valves. The emulators are for the earlier damping rod forks to assist them to work better.

1991 - 1994 KDX250 / 1993 - 2006 KDX200 / 1997 - 2005 KDX220R have cartridge forks.

They offer better tuning options than the stock valving.

Ahhh!!!! You are awesome! Thanks for catching this - haven't gotten into mine yet, getting an evaluation ride with my tuner tomorrow. I will correct my post - and update it also.

Their names are confusing.

Thanks for passing along that he runs 13 / 50 out there.

KDXGarage wrote: ↑06:00 pm Nov 19 2020 Their names are confusing.

Thanks for passing along that he runs 13 / 50 out there.

BTW - to be clear - he is using the KDX for hard enduros because Kawasaki doesn’t currently make anything suitable for this discipline.

Jordan Ashburn is proving what I've been saying for years... the KDX is still a very competitive bike! People always roll their eyes at me and talk about how antiquated our KDX's are yet Jordan is the proof the KDX can still do it.

So I watched Travis (Go Race Suspension) ride my KDX today as he evaluated everything - man!!! WHO knew my KDX could jump doubles like nothing?!? I might throw up the video later...

We feel good about the springs overall / going to install his custom Belgian Valve mod - it’s like the Racetech Gold Valve but special for the KDX conventional forks and then maybe go up a size on the springs later as I get faster.
Installing Fredette’s taller/firmer seat soon too.

I’d love to see the video!

It's totally cool and makes you wonder what a top rider could nowadays on a fully tricked out KDX200/220. Kind of justifies the restoration of more KDX's. My dealer-sponsored fast 220 ('97 with kitchen sink+ mods) runs like a roadracer and still has the KDX personality. It's feels twice as fast as my stocker even with a woods pipe capping the peak HP. The performance range of stock to fast KDX's is ridiculous! Each year the good 2T bikes are going up in value and the KDXs are worthy machines.

DirtBucket wrote: ↑01:28 am Mar 17 2021 It's totally cool and makes you wonder what a top rider could nowadays on a fully tricked out KDX200/220. Kind of justifies the restoration of more KDX's. My dealer-sponsored fast 220 ('97 with kitchen sink+ mods) runs like a roadracer and still has the KDX personality. It's feels twice as fast as my stocker even with a woods pipe capping the peak HP. The performance range of stock to fast KDX's is ridiculous! Each year the good 2T bikes are going up in value and the KDXs are worthy machines.

I have a 00 husky I am on the verge of selling so I can freshen up the ol' KDX.

Good. You can then change your user name. :-)

I think your bike is one of the great examples of why to NOT go with a non-mainstream bike. Look on eBay for used 2000 Husky parts, then look for some KDX parts. :-)