KDXRIDER.NET

I just saw it for myself on the Kawasaki website, no KDX220 for 2006. The KDX200 is offered with BNG and a green/black seat cover, but no 220.

Let's hope they don't get rid of the 200!

I would like to see a KDX450F, but I doubt the 4 speed gearbox would fly. It would also be cool for Kawi to break with tradition and provide some serious electrical output.

Damn, Is it too much to ask for a frick'n 6 speed 250 or 450 with or without e-start that doesn't blow up and is gasp, tuned to be a trail/enduro bike? Maybe even a stainless valve train right out of the box?

-Maurice

After reading July's Dirtrider and Dirtbike, I'm liking the idea of a CRF250X overbored to 270cc or a KX250F overbored to 280cc. I don't know if I need the brute horsepower of the big boys. For my wishlist, I definitely like the idea of having non-racebred valves and pistons so that it doesn't need new parts all of the time. One of my main peeves is that in the manufacturers' quest to make light powerful four strokes, they have been injecting lightweight expensive breakable parts which are great if you race and have a racing budget but hurts the average people like us who don't need expensive lightweight this or that. There's a reason why the KDXs and XRs have been popular for so long--they're indestructable. I'm not so sure the new technology wave has really been helping out the average trail rider (at least in cost or maintenance).

-G

I don't know anything about the KX250f. It did have tranny problems, didn't it..but they 'fixed' it?

I've read a few posts regarding the CRF250...yeah..it's supposedly real hard on valves.

Is the KX250F built the same way? Isn't there a KX250X out there?

...guess I could do my own research...but......

canyncarvr wrote:I don't know anything about the KX250f. It did have tranny problems, didn't it..but they 'fixed' it?

I've read a few posts regarding the CRF250...yeah..it's supposedly real hard on valves.

Is the KX250F built the same way? Isn't there a KX250X out there?

...guess I could do my own research...but......

The 04 KX250F had a few tranny problems, along with the stupid one piece waterpump/oil filter cover. You had to drain the coolant just to change the frigg'n oil. The 05's got a two piece cover (also an aftermarket item for the 04's). The 04's also had overheating problems, due to the smaller waterpump (needs two piece larger cover, or 05 part) and slightly smaller radiators and plumbing, coupled with the stock super special epa lean jetting. The 05's fixed most of these problems, and the 04's are trivial to update from what I understand. The 04's had a lighting coil stock (35w) and there is an aftermarket coil out now as well.

All the 250's suffer from valve issues to a certain degree, seems to be a common problem, with a common solution (kibblewhite valves). I think the KX250F along with the CRF250R/X are worse than the yami and ktm in this regard. Once you get them converted though they seem to survive okay. I think its kinda like the 220 piston issue in my mind.

All things being equal to me, if i'm going to get a 4t shoved down my throat i'd just as soon it have electric start. I'm already going to pay a weight penalty, so I might as well make it easier on myself to restart the bike on the trail after picking its heavy ass up off me. And while were at it, having a bitch'n (150w+) lighting coil stock would be nice as well. Oh and maybe a pipe that is quiet?

I'll shut up now...

-Maurice

The CRF250X pipe is very quiet. I sure don't like those boomin' 4-stroke pipes. Don't like loud 2-strokes either.

Weight penalty? The CRF250X is listed at 225. The spec on the KDX200 is 222 (both dry..both lies I'm sure).


$6400? And then you get to take it apart to replace the valves? That is insane!

I was behind a CRF450X the other day and it's very quiet too, especially when you're far behind. (I'm too slow) :-)

Speaking of 4-stroke reliability, how's this (did a Google search for Kibblewhite):

http://ericgorr.com/

I'm figuring that as long as the valves don't pound into the seats, then run 'em until they tighten up. I still have a problem with the bikes needing a pretty good look-through at 15-25 hours.

The Thumper Racing CRF bigbore kit was $510.00 and it sounded like it was worth it.

-G

I'm with you, the CRF270X or KX280F sounded pretty sweet in the magazines!

I was really impressed that Tom Webb ran the CRF270X and liked it so much. He and I, uh, weigh similarly... :-)

-G

If you are on the throttle hard, then ring(s) every 15 hours and piston/ring(s) every 30 hours. Otherwise 25/50.

For most folks, I think the KDX still fits the bill.

As for the original post / main topic of this thread, there has been another thread on here mentioning the KX125 not being offered in the USA, either. Honestly, I don't think the 220 ever filled a "needed" market area, so I am still not 100% sure why they even bothered.

That's a good point Jason, I have a 220 and think they would have done better putting out at least a 250, but better yet, something to answer to the KTM 300. Like a real torquey 350-400 bike with USD forks and a juicy friggin electrical system. Oh, and a piston that isn't considered a weapon of mass distruction. I don't need a hydraulic clutch, magura this and that, just give me a reliable bike that does what a woods bike needs to do at a fair price.

OK, your wish is granted. I present the KDX200.

Unfortunatley the only woods bikes out there at a fair price right now are the WR's. They are a freaking Bargin nowadays comparativley speaking.

And the WR450 was the "Top Enduro Bike" for 2005 in Cycle World magazine. I was surprised that something beat out everyones favorite CRF450X & CRF250X. Someone earlier (Jason?) made a good point, the magazines love everything Honda makes. I was shocked that Cycle World didn't pick an X as their favorite woods ("enduro") bike.

wanaride wrote:And the WR450 was the "Top Enduro Bike" for 2005 in Cycle World magazine. I was surprised that something beat out everyones favorite CRF450X & CRF250X. Someone earlier (Jason?) made a good point, the magazines love everything Honda makes. I was shocked that Cycle World didn't pick an X as their favorite woods ("enduro") bike.

That amazes me, given the love that most people have for all things orange i'd have figured it would be a ktm in the top spot.

That's pretty funny considering 90% of the ISDE riders are on 2T's...Guess that will change soon...

Yeah, the ultra-competitive racers will likely use a 2T as long as they can get 'em; the explosive power of a 2T has got to help when it comes to passing and getting out of a corner. Those guys already have throttle control to a science and can control wheelspin, so the tractor-effect of a 4T likely isn't too attractive to them.

Since the factory racers can get whatever bike they want, whether 2 or 4 stroke, just look at what they race. The 125 (COUGH!) class racers use 250 4 strokes in SX and MX (no replacement for displacement). The 250 racers use mostly 2 strokes in SX and mostly 4 strokes in MX. The GNCC guys use mostly 2 strokes.

I want to see a kdx 250. not a 200 with a 250 in it but a kx that's set up for the woods...