I've always been a big fan of Japanese 2-stroke woods racers like the Yamaha IT series, the Suzuki PE series, and of course the KDX series. My first real dirt bike was a '78 IT175 and I have an '81 IT465 waiting to be fixed up. I love my '89 KDX200E so much that I've really started looking into other KDX models and I think they've taken over as my favorite woods bikes.
I picked up a cheap '87 KDX80 at Vintage Motorcycle Days last year figuring that it would be a great bike for my wife (she's a tiny thing), daughter, nephews, friends' kids, etc. to learn to ride trails on. I'm in the process of rebuilding the engine right now and I should have it going soon.
The little 80 doesn't get nearly the love that the 200 does and there's not very much information on them at all. Does anyone here have any experience with them? I have a manual so I'm not really looking for technical specs. I'd be more interested in hearing stories or experiences, or maybe tips that they don't tell you in the manual.
KDX80 stories or experiences?
-
TheRadBaron
- Supporting Member II
- Posts: 267
- Joined: 10:21 pm Nov 07 2012
- Country:
-
KDXGarage
- KDXRider.net
- Posts: 14587
- Joined: 06:45 am Nov 01 2004
- Country: United States of America
- Location: AL, USA
- Contact:
Re: KDX80 stories or experiences?
I had an '85 back in '85. It was my first dirt bike. I loved it, then got a 1987 KDX200 in 1987, so I have had "a" KDX for about 30 years.
I found a 1985 KDX80 on craigslist and bought it (and a 1987 parts bike), plus some NOS items on eBay. Maybe one day I can find time and garage space to work on it.
Good luck on yours!
As far as info, some part in those years are silver and some are black, so that can be a different part number, but still work.
I found a 1985 KDX80 on craigslist and bought it (and a 1987 parts bike), plus some NOS items on eBay. Maybe one day I can find time and garage space to work on it.
Good luck on yours!
As far as info, some part in those years are silver and some are black, so that can be a different part number, but still work.
Thank you for participating on kdxrider.net. 
To post pictures from a device: viewtopic.php?f=88&t=24128
To post pictures from a device: viewtopic.php?f=88&t=24128
-
Gearhead86
- Member
- Posts: 2
- Joined: 02:00 pm May 27 2012
- Country:
Re: KDX80 stories or experiences?
Hi
I just picked up a 1988 kdx 80 for my son about a month ago. Since then I've learned a tonne about the bike. The 84 to 88 appear to be the same design but there are differences in the exhaust and jetting between the 84-86 and 87, 88. The earlier ones have a 35 pilot and 210 MJ while the 87 and 88 have a 30 pilot and 190 MJ. I'm assuming it is jetted differently to account for the different exhausts. The complete exhaust system has different part numbers from the expansion chamber to the baffle. Interestingly , the baffle on the 87, 88's kdx is the same as the 88-90 KD80's.
I don't know if there is a noise level difference between the different KDX's but my 88 is very quite. It also makes me wonder if there is any performance differences between the 84-86 and 87-88 models. The different jetting makes me think there may be.
The clutch pull was to hard for my son. The cable was good and well lubed and the clutch actuator at the engine was set up correctly. To lighten the pull, i installed KX60 clutch springs which made a big difference
I just rebuilt the motor and took it for it's first real ride yesterday. The bike is surprisingly fast. I was concerned the lighter clutch spring might cause problems but the clutch (and bike) worked flawlessly even with my 220# butt on the bike.
My son is around 70# wet and not very aggressive. The bike had no problem when lugging the motor or screaming; my son is also pretty new with using a clutch and hesitant to switch gears.
I like the bike very much. Simple, easy to work on, lightweight, decent power. It's too bad the manufacturers don't make bikes like this anymore.
I just picked up a 1988 kdx 80 for my son about a month ago. Since then I've learned a tonne about the bike. The 84 to 88 appear to be the same design but there are differences in the exhaust and jetting between the 84-86 and 87, 88. The earlier ones have a 35 pilot and 210 MJ while the 87 and 88 have a 30 pilot and 190 MJ. I'm assuming it is jetted differently to account for the different exhausts. The complete exhaust system has different part numbers from the expansion chamber to the baffle. Interestingly , the baffle on the 87, 88's kdx is the same as the 88-90 KD80's.
I don't know if there is a noise level difference between the different KDX's but my 88 is very quite. It also makes me wonder if there is any performance differences between the 84-86 and 87-88 models. The different jetting makes me think there may be.
The clutch pull was to hard for my son. The cable was good and well lubed and the clutch actuator at the engine was set up correctly. To lighten the pull, i installed KX60 clutch springs which made a big difference
I just rebuilt the motor and took it for it's first real ride yesterday. The bike is surprisingly fast. I was concerned the lighter clutch spring might cause problems but the clutch (and bike) worked flawlessly even with my 220# butt on the bike.
My son is around 70# wet and not very aggressive. The bike had no problem when lugging the motor or screaming; my son is also pretty new with using a clutch and hesitant to switch gears.
I like the bike very much. Simple, easy to work on, lightweight, decent power. It's too bad the manufacturers don't make bikes like this anymore.