Pro Circuit Platinum 2 for 1995+ KDX is NOT discontinued!

[Kipsy]

I'm interested in a PC P2, but I wondered if anyone could answer a few questions.

1. Do you have to trim the shroud to fit the PC? I have a FMF Desert on mine that fits just fine and there is no way I"m cutting my purple radiator shrouds. I notice a trimmed shroud in the above pic.

2. I have an FMF desert and TC spark arrester setup on my stock KDX200. It is in very good shape - no dings and isn't bent. I love it. All of the praise on here for the PC comes from people with the 220 or modded 200. On the 200, will the PC be a significant improvement over the FMF Desert? Will I keep the sweet FMF mid and top end power but get a little more low-end as well? Or will it simply shift the power curve down the rpm range slightly? Or will it make no noticeable difference. I've always wanted a PC because I couldn't get one. Now that I can, well, would it be worth it if I already have a great exhaust system. My bike is stock except it's jetted, no airbox lid, and a KIPS spacer. Freshly rebuild engine so it's running as it should.

I think I would get the 296 spark arrester, too, if I got the pipe. I think it's better quality from what I've read and I like matching exhaust components.

Thanks for the advice. I don't want to waste money, but I don't want to pass on something better for my baby while it's still available.

[Chuck78]

I'm interested in a PC P2, but I wondered if anyone could answer a few questions.

1. Do you have to trim the shroud to fit the PC? I have a FMF Desert on mine that fits just fine and there is no way I"m cutting my purple radiator shrouds. I notice a trimmed shroud in the above pic.

My FMF Gnarly Desert Pipe touches the shroud and actually mildly melted the very edge of it.
I haven't installed either of the brand new pro circuit pipes on my bike and my very well used versions are totally bent, so I can't comment, but here's a brand new pipe on Carson Brown's KDX220R build:

2. I have an FMF desert and TC spark arrester setup on my stock KDX200. It is in very good shape - no dings and isn't bent. I love it. All of the praise on here for the PC comes from people with the 220 or modded 200. On the 200, will the PC be a significant improvement over the FMF Desert? Will I keep the sweet FMF mid and top end power but get a little more low-end as well? Or will it simply shift the power curve down the rpm range slightly? Or will it make no noticeable difference. I've always wanted a PC because I couldn't get one. Now that I can, well, would it be worth it if I already have a great exhaust system. My bike is stock except it's jetted, no airbox lid, and a KIPS spacer. Freshly rebuild engine so it's running as it should.

I think I would get the 296 spark arrester, too, if I got the pipe. I think it's better quality from what I've read and I like matching exhaust components.

The Pro Circuit pipe is the better all-around pipe. I think it's probably the best pipe overall for both bikes as it seems better tuned and gives a lot more low-end torque than the FMF Gnarly Desert, which the 200 is seriously lacking in, without cutting the revs any noticeable amount. If you measured it on a dyno you might see a 200 RPM drop in top end power curve, but it's quite negligible. The Gnarly Desert pipe is tuned for a higher RPM range that is on the cusp of what the KDX ignition is capable of (it would rev out a lot higher with more power with a custom CDI) unless you sacrifice all low-end power and set the ignition timing on the lower static setting on the stator plate for maximum top and rev. Then you have absolutely compromised all low RPM power, and will stall out trying to go up slow steep technical hills like a 125 2-stroke, even with the Pro Circuit pipe, & ESPECIALLY with the Gnarly Desert.

RM Stator and Race Tech Electrics sell a PeakRPM KDX CDI that advertises I believe 1,000 RPM higher rev out due to a slightly altered timing curve. Hand built versions will give more than that, but they are only sporadically available from Kelly aka SS109, and Michael Forrest aka Jaguar.

[Kipsy]

Thanks for the info. I just ordered a PC pipe.

I probably won't put it on for awhile so I won't be reporting back on performance any time soon. But whenever I decide to re-pipe and re-jet, I'll report back here and tell you my take on the PC vs FMF Desert comparison. Thanks again for making this happen.

[Slick_Nick]

If your FMF desert pipe was hitting the shroud, something wasn't lined up properly or was bent. The woods leaves a TON of room, but even on the desert there's a good 3/4" clearance.

[Chuck78]

If your FMF desert pipe was hitting the shroud, something wasn't lined up properly or was bent. The woods leaves a TON of room, but even on the desert there's a good 3/4" clearance.

Pipes get easily bent... The Gnarly Woods pipe seems a bit more rigid due to shape and clearances/size, but the head pipe area is what gets bent on hard spams on all pipes, so none are immune. Bent, not dented, is what I'm referencing.

[Kipsy]

I was curious. When I was next to my bike I measured the clearance on my FMF Desert. No dents, no dings, no crashes. 7mm clearance. It's a little closer than I might like. My bike's radiators aren't visibly bent, but who knows. Maybe a rubber damper/hanger is a shaped a little differently. I don't know, but I guess what clears on one person's bike may not clear on another's. Good thing to keep in mind.

But this assumes that all FMF pipes were created the same. I could see their being some inconsistency in the mounting locations.

[Kawibunga]

So the Fortnine up here in Canada has these Pro Circuit pipes in stock............ but as much as I really wanted to get one I couldn't justify the extra $100 over what the Gnarly Desert & Woods pipes are. So I put in my order for a the desert pipe today. It will be an interesting comparison as my oldest runs the stock pipe, the the younger brother runs the Woods pipe. Looking forward to the snow melting so we can get out!

[Molly's 70]

That stock pipe is going to give up the power band way before any aftermarket pipe is going to.

[Kawibunga]

Yeah, my oldest, who's not an aggressive rider, actually doesn't like riding the younger ones bike cause he finds it too responsive and hits too hard. Each too their own I guess. I'm just excited about finally putting some miles on this project bike!

[Chuck78]

GREAT NEWS!

13 months later, Pro Circuit is putting the finishing touches on another batch of '95-'06 KDX Platinum 2 pipes!

All the in-house manufacturing work is done, I believe they were just sent out to be nickel plated (which they don't do in-house), so we should see more availability again in the next week or two!

My buddy has a good friend who works at Pro Circuit, and got this news as well as a special surprise, the guy pulled one pipes worth of stamped metal pieces out of the production line and hand delivered them to the guy that specifically builds the works pipes, the unfinished oiled steel versions that get extra attention and time spent on the welding, as a gift to my friend. He's already running one of the last batch of Platinum 2 pipes from last year, so this is a wall hanger to sit above his fireplace mantle until the other pipe gets destroyed!



The guys at Pro Circuit commented to my buddy that they've been getting a lot of KDX requests in recent times.
I attribute that pretty significantly to all the exposure that Carson Brown has given the KDX's with his KDX220 build & his first ever hard enduro race with his Tennessee Knock Out Hard Enduro race entry build '96 KDX200H, through all of his social media and YouTube videos and posts... Not to mention having Pro Circuit build the engine on his 220 to EPIC specifications (porting & head work), and proclaiming that it was his favorite of ALL of his builds... With many videos of him absolutely shredding on it...

[Chuck78]

I really think this is the most optimized pipe for our bikes unless someone just wants all top end. The 220 just doesn't produce good enough torque for what it is with the Gnarly Desert pipe, and that pipe on the 200 makes it absolutely gutless down low like a 125, you can't do any slow technical riding without massive clutch slipping on a 200 with a Gnarly Desert. The Gnarly Woods is almost mandatory on a 200 as well as really good jetting and some advanced ignition timing if you want any substantial low-mid torque, but the Platinum 2 delivers almost as much low-end torque, but instead of a very smooth torquey low end & anti-climactic power delivery curve with no explosive high RPM power (Gnarly Woods), you get a VERY STRONG mid-range surge with the Platinum 2, and nearly the same rev out as the Gnarly Desert, which in my opinion is really only tuned for an ignition which is dialed back with less advance to cater to more 2-stroke high RPM rev out power. The Gnarly Desert in my amateur opinion is tuned really on the very top end cusp of what the KDX ignition timing and head squish band width / port timimg are capable of. It does make great top end power and decent mid-range, but I'm really a huge fan of this pro circuit pipe. The Gnarly Desert is a bit more smooth, but lacks the low end grunt and the MASSIVE mid-range that the Pro Circuit has.

I'm sold...
I do really really like the smoothness and slight added torque of the Gnarly Woods though... That pipe definitely has a big place on the KDX200H & for some riders on 220's who do Hard Enduro type very technical terrain but are not racers, or just someone who doesn't want a strong mid-range power surge/hit and doesn't ride fast.
I believe the Gnarly Woods expansion chamber tuning dimensions and pressure wave timing causes the engine to run slightly hotter as well, versus the Pro Circuit and Gnarly Desert.

Look out for these to be available anytime now.

[Trackdog]

My buddy has a good friend who works at Pro Circuit, and got this news as well as a special surprise, the guy pulled one pipes worth of stamped metal pieces out of the production line and hand delivered them to the guy that specifically builds the works pipes, the unfinished oiled steel versions that get extra attention and time spent on the welding, as a gift to my friend. He's already running one of the last batch of Platinum 2 pipes from last year, so this is a wall hanger to sit above his fireplace mantle until the other pipe gets destroyed!

THAT WOULD BE GOING RIGHT ON MY BIKE IF I HAD ONE!
I love the unfinished pipes

[Trackdog]

Everything Chuck says about the PC is true.
I went from stock to the PC, so no FM experience.
Snorkel delete
Twin Air filter
JD Jet Kit - set bowl at 18mm, 155/48, clip position 2(<1000ft)
Boyesen Rad Valve
Stock bore(Wossner Piston)
I am on everything from really tight single track, power line roads, and an MX track.
This bike puts a big smile on on the face of anyone that rides it, especially me.
Of course my suspension is dialed in with nice rubber too, so that helps a lot.
Sprung for my weight with race tech springs and Gold valves.
I can lug it thru the tight muddy, root filled rock wall xing trails, rip down the power line trails and with a pull on the bars lift the front end at speed.
Ans she's quiet, as advertised by the 296(I tested it it with my own decibel m,meter to be about 95db)

[billie_morini]

Chuck said, "Gnarly Woods ... pipe definitely has a big place ...for some riders on 220's who do Hard Enduro type very technical terrain but are not racers, or just someone who doesn't ride fast."

That's me!!

[billie_morini]

Trackdog said, "I am on everything from really tight single track, power line roads, and an MX track."

I dunno...his photos show a bike so clean that it could be parked in any living room.

[Kyleschock]

Just ordered one off their site.
Said availability is "in stock" but after ordering it says that order type is "back order".
Hopefully get it soon. Just bent my desert pipe all to hell.

[billie_morini]

Just ordered one off their site.
Said availability is "in stock" but after ordering it says that order type is "back order".
Hopefully get it soon. Just bent my desert pipe all to hell.

[Kyleschock]

Just ordered one off their site.
Said availability is "in stock" but after ordering it says that order type is "back order".
Hopefully get it soon. Just bent my desert pipe all to hell.

Just got an email saying it'll be delivered by Thursday.
So they are in stock!
Hopefully it's worth the hype. Had the desert (rev) pipe on my 220 ever since I've owned it.
Would be nice to get some more power down low and be able to climb more like my 300.

[billie_morini]

[Chuck78]

After smashing up two Gnarly Desert pipes on my 220, and switching back to a Pro Circuit pipe, I immediately wanted to seek out more Pro Circuit pipes as backups, because they feel so much more well-suited to the 220 porting and head.

The 220 with a Gnarly Desert pipe makes "just enough" torque to get by (= you will probably want more), but that's not really enough in my opinion. The Gnarly Woods does awesome on a modified 220 with porting cleanup, head modified, and a larger carb from a 200, aftermarket genuine Keihin PWK 35 Air Striker + proper jetting, or Lectron), but will lack top end on the stock carb especially if the porting is not cleaned up and the head is not redone. Jetting and ignition timing is critical.

The Pro Circuit allows you to run the timing all over the place wherever you want it, which can give you just as much top end as the Gnarly Desert, or a lot more bottom end with very close to the same top end, although having the timing advanced gives you almost too much of an explosive bottom end low-mid transition especially when the power valve starts to open into the mid-range, but regardless, the Pro Circuit on a 220 always has significantly more mid-range power than any other KDX setup, & the second most low end of any KDX setup next to a Gnarly Woods pipe on a modified head 220 with a Lectron / Lectron Billetron Pro Series, or a PWK35 Air Striker.