I'm new to riding and I'm excited to start out on a KDX. I managed to find a mint 2004 220 with around 10 total hours on the bike. A little about myself is I'm an engineer at a offroad recreational vehicle company and have enjoyed riding SxS's, ATV's and snowmobiles. I currently reside in Minnesota and look forward to getting on the many single track trails in the area.
Great looking bike! I have the same year model and have enjoyed it immensely. This forum has a wealth of knowledge to help you maintain and enjoy your KDX - search, read and learn (and make a donation to help keep it ad-free and going strong). A very common theme you'll see in the 220 posts is problems with the OEM piston. They are prone to have piston skirts crack, dislodge and destroy engines. Do yourself a favor and install a new piston before you ride. It's very tempting not too because the bike is running great, etc. I bought a similarly low hour bike and rode it a little before taking this forum's advice. When the OEM piston came out it had a significant crack in the skirt but was still in one piece. It could have literally let go at any moment and done significant damage. I was lucky...
offshoretitan wrote:Great looking bike! I have the same year model and have enjoyed it immensely. This forum has a wealth of knowledge to help you maintain and enjoy your KDX - search, read and learn (and make a donation to help keep it ad-free and going strong). A very common theme you'll see in the 220 posts is problems with the OEM piston. They are prone to have piston skirts crack, dislodge and destroy engines. Do yourself a favor and install a new piston before you ride. It's very tempting not too because the bike is running great, etc. I bought a similarly low hour bike and rode it a little before taking this forum's advice. When the OEM piston came out it had a significant crack in the skirt but was still in one piece. It could have literally let go at any moment and done significant damage. I was lucky...
Welcome to the forum!
Oh, and buy a manual!
I was honestly unaware of the piston issue, what size is the stock bore on the 220? I'm looking at pistons now.
Nice find!!! That's almost unheard of to score a KDX with low hours on it. I purchased the Delta Force 3 reeds/block and swapped out my woods pipe with a brand new FMF desert pipe, rejetted the carb and whoaa what a difference with the two mods! Noticed crisper throttle response as well as having a hard time keeping the front wheel on the ground I don't know how the 220 will respond with a desert pipe but certainly the reeds will improve throttle response. I have a '96 KDX200. Congrats again on your score!
Corey wrote:Nice find!!! That's almost unheard of to score a KDX with low hours on it. I purchased the Delta Force 3 reeds/block and swapped out my woods pipe with a brand new FMF desert pipe, rejetted the carb and whoaa what a difference with the two mods! Noticed crisper throttle response as well as having a hard time keeping the front wheel on the ground I don't know how the 220 will respond with a desert pipe but certainly the reeds will improve throttle response. I have a '96 KDX200. Congrats again on your score!
Thanks Man, I'm looking forward to riding it out stock minus the reeds this year then I'll look to start upgrading next year.
FraggyKDX wrote:I managed to get the piston swapped, liquids drained and reeds replaced. Now I'm swapping the handlebars and adding my street legal accessories.
Does anyone know if I can wire my new LED taillight directly into the electrical harness or do I need a regulator?
Wire it direct.
newbbewb wrote:^what he said.
masterblaster wrote:Man 6 riders you rock.
*side note...I'm drunk, so try to read what I'm trying to say, instead of what I actually type
I don't know how the 220 will respond with a desert pipe but certainly the reeds will improve throttle response. I have a '96 KDX200. Congrats again on your score!
