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Stock KDX?
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Posted by: holmyj---------------------

I might be getting a '01 200 this week. It's stock with low hrs. I don't have any $$ to put into it and was wondering how they run stock. I've only rode a '96 w/fmf pipe/sil. My son and I both will be riding it and are both around 175 lbs. Any input?

Posted by: Oskar---------------------

Should be fine. You will notice less power than the 96, but if you don't care than 01 stock is more than enough.

Posted by: KDX CRAZY---------------------

My O6 is stock except for airbox lid removal and I find it has more than enough power for me .
Unless you have been riding 250 MX bikes I think you will find the KDX very satisfying .

Posted by: kmccune---------------------

It will be fine, toss the air box lid and jet the cab if it isn't. A few searches will get you a starting place for jetting. Jets aren't free but they are pretty cheap.

Posted by: holmyj---------------------

Ok, thanks, I made them a offer, but they have not replied yet. i live 2-3000' ft higher than where it's coming from so I'm sure I'll have to lean it out.

Posted by: John Harris---------------------

Replace the front fork springs before you get hurt. Many threads on this subject and this is a quick, cheap and easy mod (right behind jetting). Enjoy your new avocation. John

Posted by: kx250kev---------------------

I left my 04 KDX200 completely stock (except for the fork springs), and haven't felt the need to find more power. John H. is right, you NEED to replace the fork springs right away. The unbalanced stock suspension puts most of the weight bias on the front of the bike(because the fork springs were mostly compressed), thus the rear became very light and wanted to spin out sideways like crazy. This could be very dangerous. I remember the first ride on my bike when I got it on the trail; It was very weird, but I could steer with the back end of the bike. At first, I thought it was the stock rear tire. It was very strange and I was very very dissapointed with my KDX; I started to have buyers remorse. After reading on this website, I knew what I needed to do. The new springs absolutely TRANSFORMED the bike; I was soooooooo happy when it behaved like a dirt bike! I weigh 180 and have been totally satisfied with the Kawasaki optional springs I ordered from the dealer. Stock=.35, The stiffest Kawi offered was .37 which balanced the bike out nicely IMHO, while still retaining that smooth ride. If you plan to ride a lot at a MX track, then you'll want slightly stiffer fork springs. P.s. I love my KDX!!!

Posted by: Lambkawi---------------------

KX250kev, do you work for kawasaki or something?

Posted by: holmyj---------------------

Went an picked it up today,guy didn't have the kickstand so I offered him $1550 and he said ok. Way too cold to ride it here. Gonna check it out and put a pair of bars with heated grips on tomorrow. Bout how much are the new springs? It looks like the kickstand will cost $80+ Anybody got one laying around?

Posted by: lepper---------------------

I seen one go on auction for $34, $12 shipping the other day. Just watch for them because I doubt anyone has one laying around since there are more KDX's than KDX kickstands on the trail....

Posted by: Oskar---------------------

E-Bay, I see them there all the time, alot of KDXs being parted out.

Posted by: holmyj---------------------

Thats what I'll do then. Got all winter.

Posted by: KdxChode---------------------

I think the bike only puts out like 35 watts of AC power stock. You will probably need to upgrade the lighting coil if adding heated grips. I don't know anything about the grips though so just make sure they are cool to run on AC power.

Posted by: oldturtle---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by holmyj

..... I don't have any $$ to put into it....

Somehow we always find the money to spend on the toys but IMO the money is better spent on a pipe and fork springs rather than heated grips and a kickstand. Oh ya, congratulations on smart purchase.

Posted by: holmyj---------------------

I already had a set of alum. bars with the heaters inside. so that was free. I'll watch the bay for a kickstand (no hurry). I was thinking of doing a seach in the XR400 forum and see if I could find some one who has changed their springs then Pm' them to see if I can buy the old ones( '00+ Right?) I have a complete wheel/paddle tire for my CR that I'll sell this spring, then I'll have a little $$$ to look for a pipe. As of yesterday it's snowmobile season here anyway. I'll keep reading up.Thanks for the info.

Posted by: robl---------------------

holmyj,

For me, changing the pipe, having the forks rebuilt and fixing the jetting turned my KDX from just OK to absolutely outstanding! Of those three, the forks and jetting had by far the biggest impact. Changing the forks is critical if you want to ride it fast IMHO. With the stock forks, it handles bad. With the wrong jetting, it runs bad. The pipe just gives you better power once it's running well.

I'm also looking at another KDX purchase. You mentioned settling on $1550 for an 01 KDX. That's an outstanding price! I'm hoping to get a guy down to about that for a stock 97 200! Would you mind sharing what the bike had listed for? The 97 I'm looking at is listed for $1800.

Thanks,

Rob

Posted by: holmyj---------------------

It was on craigslist Boise ( still on there if you want to see a pic, Nov 2nd) I watch E-Bay for months, but all the KDXs were back east. Where do you live?

Posted by: robl---------------------

That is a really good deal. I live in the Coeur d' Alene area.
I'll just have to keep my eye out I guess.

Posted by: holmyj---------------------

Do you check The Idaho Statesman? There was a couple in it not too long ago. I didn't call about them because I had'nt sold my bike yet.

Posted by: oldturtle---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by holmyj

I I was thinking of doing a seach in the XR400 forum and see if I could find some one who has changed their springs then Pm' them to see if I can buy the old ones( '00+ Right?)

XR400s came with soft fork springs in 96 and 97. In 98 the springs were stiffened up and never changed again. I do not have the actual spring rates on either model.

Posted by: holmyj---------------------

That improves my odds then, thanks.

Posted by: kdx220dave---------------------

Heres a question.
Anybody have a 93/94 kdx200 with inverted forks how do they compare to the standard forks and or does the spring mod equal the difference???

Posted by: kx250kev---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lambkawi

KX250kev, do you work for kawasaki or something?

No, but I do spend a lot of time at my local dealer. Does that count? Just love Kawi Motorcycles. I've owned H. S. and Y, but K has been the biggest joy to own.

Posted by: kx250kev---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by holmyj

Went an picked it up today,guy didn't have the kickstand so I offered him $1550 and he said ok. Way too cold to ride it here. Gonna check it out and put a pair of bars with heated grips on tomorrow. Bout how much are the new springs? It looks like the kickstand will cost $80+ Anybody got one laying around?

I believe my fork springs were around $65 from the dealer.

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Stock KDX?

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