Got the KDX bug!

[TheGriz]

I'm a longtime rock crawler in 4x4s and love trail riding. Recently, I re-found the joy of riding dirtbikes. I purchased a KX 125 and had no idea how terrible it would be on the trails. No power, lugging it was going through plugs like crazy.

I started doing some research and learned about the KDX. I purchased a 2003 KDX 220 last week and took it out for the first time yesterday. Needless to say, the stories about the KDX were true. I'm hooked.

After spending a few hours pulling the camo wrap, bone hunter, and energy drink stickers off, I wrapped the plastics to match my 4x4.

Positives:
Night and day difference in power, good braking, and would idle all day if I needed it.


I learned a negatives about this bike:
1. Suspension is WAY too soft for my 210 lbs. The PO was a 130lb kid.
2. Fork seals leak (seals, springs, etc are on the way)
3. Bars are a little tweaked and I need a riser.
4. I have a seat coming off eBAY. The PO just had a little cushion foam under a piece of vinyl.
5. The clutch doesn't always disengage. I'll pull it apart and check the bands and basket.

[TheGriz]

And yes, now that it is starting to look like winter, I will be starting the tear down and I'll see what piston it has.

[newbbewb]

You're going to need a rear spring also. Buy new bars, bent ones suck. Tusk makes $20 15mm or 30mm risers. Purchase bark busters or equivalent, trust me.

How tall are you?
Check the clutch cable, it IS possible to have a cable fray inside the sheath and act like 1 way valve, not letting it (clutch) disengage in a timely matter. That being said, clutch baskets are fairly common to get all beat up and notched. Pull the top end to clean and check piston.

Put it all together and RIDE!

Of course you could always put that 200 engine in the kx125

[Bitteeinit]

Where are you located? Nice scenery... Looks like the Appalachians to me.

[TheGriz]

I live in Raleigh, NC. This is Uwharrie National Forest, lots of loose rock, red clay, steep loose and rocky climbs, and nice water bar burms every 50 yards.

I've ordered front fork springs and a rear spring from Race Tech. According to their calculator, I need a .44kg front and a 5.4kg rear. Bars are on order. I'm 5'11", I hate having to hunch down to reach the bars when I'm standing.

Good call on the clutch cable. The play at the lever looks within spec, but I like the idea of checking out the condition of the cable.

The KX Hybrid has been on my mind... Since both bikes are ridable, I really hate to cannibalize one and leave one harder to sell or as a part-out. Maybe I'll keep my eye out for another KX with a blown motor or a rolling chassis.

The hybrid would be a fun winter project... This was my last winter project (well, 2 winters)

[newbbewb]

Nice crawler, looks fun.

You can slang a lot of the leftover parts from both bikes when done with the project. You'd be surprised how fast and for how much those parts sell...makes the hybrid build a lot cheaper.

[TheGriz]

You're probably right. I've got the KX up for sale. If it doesn't go in 3 or 4 weeks, I'll probably lean that way.

[KDXGarage]

Welcome to the forums. If you are going to get hooked on something, this is a great thing for it.