Dirt Rider . Net Text Version Home
Pages: 1
What KDX Year is Better!!!
(Click here to view the original thread with full colors/images)
Posted by: Speedy---------------------
I am buyin a new(not like brand new) KDX and want to know what year would be the best for gettin the most out of the motor.. I know that 95 and newer are almost the same!! Everybody says the 200 revs out higher and the 220 has the lower rev... Sounds like the 200 is the way for me but still dont know what year to get? 92' or a 95 or what??? there all great bikes and i have a 85 200 right now but i know i want a newer one then that..Water cooled and all... im not worried about haveing to fix an older bike if that is what it takes so if a earlier 90's bike is the way to go ill do it.. Im just lookin for the best year of the KDX,, Maybe there isnt one,, Maybe there all good which wont surprise me but please anyone give me some feedback,, Let me know what u didnt like about a specific year,, I dont care!! I like the 95' and newer but i heard there pooches compaired to the older ones?? I dont know!! Please Help!!!lookin at a 93 right now..I ride all over(Mx tracks, tight c.c. trails and high speed trails)I love my 85 200 .. I ve got lots of money into it and it hauls ass.. Well let me know peeps.. Tell me like it is!!
Posted by: teton---------------------
95 or newer are the best years, get a 95, you can find a used one that has some goodies already on it, It is the same bike for less. As far as being slower than the older model, where did you here that !! The new bike has a better frame, ergonomics and has a real cartridge fork. The fit on the bike is much narrower too. I just like the newer bike much better than the older one. Is the older one not fun to ride, heck no, you can still have fun that model too.
Posted by: Mikeb---------------------
They're ALL GOOD 
Teton is right the 95 and newer bikes all have the perimeter style frames which makes the bike "feel" slimmer and lighter than the previous models. Also aftermarket parts for the newer style KDX's seem to be more available than previous years. 1989 was first watercooled KDX and they added upside down forks for the 93 and 94 models before going to a perimeter frame and conventional forks again in 1995. If I were you I wouldnt hesitate on any KDX that is newer than 1989.
Posted by: Speedy---------------------
My 85 will beat my buddies 97 in a dragrace acroos a field ,, and i have rode the 97(alot of low end) my 85 has alot money into! Ill be posting a pit. of it on Just KDX soon.. and mine isnt as top heavy as the 97 but his is bone stock other then the pipe/silencer.. My 85 is stripped down(no headlight/button,, the odometer) and it sits lower then his 97 but in a corner mine feels like a 125 but the 97 disk brakes felt great coming in(im still useing drums,,lol) The suspension of the new one was better of course and it is slimmer feeling.. I like the 97 alot to cause it is taller and thats what i need.. But i am buying a newer KDX and a 95(or newer) is what i think i want but i just had a good line on a 93... Theres nothing wrong with my 85 but its not tall enough ,, Its not watercooled,, it dont stop worth a crap compaired to the 97 and the new ones just look so good!!! Im keeping my 85,, Just want a new one to fix up and make it fast So let me know... KDX 4-EVER Speedy
Posted by: teton---------------------
There might be a slew of things that might be hindering your buddies 97 200 from being at its potential, jetting, fuel, power valve, wrong gearing, just to name a few. Or you might just have a sweetly tuned 85 !!
Posted by: Speedy---------------------
U guys could be right,,, I dont know thats why i asked you peeps,,,I love that 97 though and i need a new one soooooooo BAD... HEy thanx for the posts and keep them coming,, And what about a KDX 250??? Are they anygood?? Reliablity and all? I can get a 93 KDX 200 for $$$1100. is that a good deal? Any help is greatly appreciated...:D -Speedy
Posted by: teton---------------------
A nice running, decent looking 95 will cost you about $2000.00, sure you might and a few have, find a real good deal were the seller has to unload it quick, but figure about $1700.-2,000 for a 95. Maybe save up a little more over this winter and get a newer bike, look on line for a deal, you might find some one who wants to sell fast for about $1500., you never know, The 93 is still a good bike, one of my buddies still rides his 90 KDX 200, he is still faster than me too !!
Posted by: MatC---------------------
I have a KDX 125, with a 96 engine but I need various parts i.e. mono shock, callipers, front levers cables etc, hard to get price on parts as I don't know what year the frame is! I think its early nineties, '96 engine mounts OK? Also once I know the year of frame where would be the best place to buy parts used or otherwise
Posted by: 1TRAK---------------------
Had an 86 200 that ran good , A 91 that ran great , Now I've got an 03 massaged by pro circuit that's fantastic.Seems the 95 and up have great potential !!! Good luck, hope u enjoy your new DX. 1TRAK
Posted by: 1TRAK---------------------
Had an 86 200 that ran good, a 91 that ran great , Now I've got an 03 massaged by pro circuit that's fantastic. Seems the 95 and up have great potential !!! Good luck, hope u enjoy your new DX. 1TRAK
Posted by: 80elkster---------------------
A year ago I bought a 93 with the USD forks since then I've put new springs on the shock and forks, revalved the forks (the USD forks are cartridge type and use the exact same gold valves that the 95 and newer KDX's use), Did the pipe mod, put Boyesen Power Reads in it, repacked the muffler and put new tires on it, jetted spot on. The bike has over 4,000 miles on it and the compression is at 156 psi and I don't know if it has ever been rebuilt. Now I'm experimenting with different needles in the carb and every time I ride this bike I'm just amazed at it's abilities and the power characteristics of the engine and how it can go from being just like a 4-stroke smooth and torquey to screamin and pipey like a motocrosser 2 stroke depending on the needle you use (BEL vs CEL). Awesome bike. I paid $1300 for it and would do it again in a heartbeat. My son has a 2005 KDX200 and is looking to upgrade the forks to some USD KX forks. I've ridden and tuned his bike and to tell you the truth I like mine better (the seats a little wider and softer), the steering is much more precise on my 93 which I believe is due to stiffness of the USD forks.
I'd say if the 93 your looking at is in good shape and runs decent "BUY IT" you won't be dissapointed. The only reason I would look for a 95 and newer is the KIPS valve is more durrable, aftermarket hop up parts are more available. One other thing the tanks on the older KDXs hold around a half gallon more fuel that those with the perimeter frame (we call mine the Big Gulp!!)
Other than that if you get your jetting correct and you use a high quality synthetic premix (I use Mobil 1 MX2t @ 40:1) your KIPS will be fine, mine works flawlessly.
Good luck and don't be afraid to buy the older (89 and up) as long as they are in good shape. 
Posted by: jeba6208---------------------
Gotta agree with the above post. My 93 kdx200 is a great bike and still running strong. Paid 1300 for it and it was the best money I have spent.
Pics here
http://photobucket.com/albums/e25/jebapafu/93%20kdx200/
Text Version Home
vBulletin Copyright ©2000 - 2009,
Jelsoft Enterprises Limited.
vB Easy Archive Final ©2000 - 2009
- Created by Stefan "Xenon" Kaeser
