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forks?
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Posted by: mcgyver6857---------------------

i have a 90 kdx 200 and was wondering if forks from an 87 kx 125 would bolt up to my clamps. If not would forks from a 95 or newer kdx bolt up? and would it be resonable to put either of them on my bike. i weigh 150 so would i see an improvment by putting forks from a 95 or newer kdx on?

Posted by: DAVE C---------------------

All I can tell you is that the forks from an '87 KX 125 aren't even close to the forks from my '99 KDX 200. I have an '87 parts KX 125 in my basement right now and they wouldn't work. Also, I couldn't just switch out the triple clamps and all b/c the head tube is a totally different size. I think you would run into a lot of problems. I know that the front axle assembly is different as well as the brake assembly mount. Front wheel would need to be switched as well. Hope this helps. I was hoping I could get away with it for a temporary fix, but no such luck.:mad:

Posted by: mcgyver6857---------------------

how bout the 95 or newer forks? does anyone know if they would bolt up to 1990 kdx 200

Posted by: motochick---------------------

I have a 92 and an 89 with the same forks you have and my legs work better than the 95 and newer bikes that I have ridden. I have ridden both stock and modified. It doesn't take much to get them working good, and it can save you a ton of $$ in the long run.

Here is what I have done to make them right.
1. Get stiffer fork springs!
2. Race Tech emulators
3. SRC fork brace (this will give you the stiffness like the inverted)
4. WER stabilizer
5. Using the proper weight oil and preload.
6. Most importantly, you must be balanced front to rear. In my 10 years of riding these 2 bikes, the ONLY way to achieve this is to have the rear shock revalved by someone that knows what they are doing. In my case, Precision Concepts. They have been doing all of our bikes for the last 9 years with zero complaints. (spent a year trying to dial it in without valving!)

Hope this helps, good luck.

Brenda

Posted by: mcgyver6857---------------------

brenda, thanks for the reply! your information pretty much made up my mind. i was just curious about how expensive the emulators from race tech are and what they do. ive heard of them before but dont know ne thing about them.

did you notice a big difference up front with the new springs and emulators? right now my bike dives very badly and feels very squirrly (sp?) when i hit even small bumps in 3rd- 4th gear range. jumping the bike is almost impossible because it feels like the front end is washing out on landing.

thanks again.

Posted by: G. Gearloose---------------------

Quote:

Originally posted by mcgyver6857
right now my bike dives very badly and feels very squirrly (sp?) when i hit even small bumps in 3rd- 4th gear range. jumping the bike is almost impossible because it feels like the front end is washing out on landing.

That would be the .31 (when new) stock fork springs talking back to you.

Posted by: motochick---------------------

I ride varied terrian at different speeds, and the suspension soaks up everything! The emulators were a great improvement, and very easy to install. Did it myself. I had been running with the haevier springs since 93, but just did the emulators last year. Worth the $$. So is the fork brace. My bike rails in the turns now without feeling wallowy. (is that a word?) The combination of everything I said above, makes a GREAT handling KDX in all types of terrain. After doing the forks, get a stabilzer, then get the fork brace. Huge improvements.

Sorry, I don't know how much list is on the emulators, I am a dealer so I got them pretty cheap.

If you have any more questions, let me know!

Brenda

Posted by: gooby---------------------

i don't know if wallowy is a word either but that's how it feels.a friend had a 96 200 that we struggled with to get rid of just that feeling.the damper is sweet trust me.
dennis

Posted by: DougRoost---------------------

I've been thinking of adding one of these bikes to my stable and have one question. After a bit of research, especially on www.justKDX.com, I noticed that the KDX came with USD/inverted forks from '91-'94 but then reverted back to conventional ones. This seems strange to me -- especially since it's KLX brother kept them -- but I have heard conventional forks can be better for trail riding. Anyone know the story on this? My first thought was cost but since they'd made the switch it probably cost more to switch back!

Posted by: gooby---------------------

Doug is that u dc here .u know my story my bud gary's was a hand full at times we made great gains and was very,very rideable but nothing like mine. which u know has usd forks,gold valves,40 kg s,100mm oil,d756.it handles soooo sweet ,can't discribe. i'm so happy with the bike i can't stand it.i don't care what anybody says the kdx is so much fun,and i don't know of another 2smoke so easy to ride and have fun on!very pleased with my purchase highly rec
dc

Posted by: DougRoost---------------------

Yes DC, it's me and hello! I forget what year your KDX is -- was it one of the '91-'94 that came with USD forks? If so, are they the same ones as your KLX? And how the heck do you decide which bike you're going to ride on a given day?!

I keep toying with the idea of getting either a KDX or a KTM 200 E/XC. The KDX has an incredible following but the thing looks so overdue for an update I'm not sure I could really do it. If only Kawi would put that 200 in a KX125 frame I'd buy in an instant! Maybe if I got a good deal on a nice late '90s KDX that already had a nice pipe on it.

Meanwhile the KTM has everything I'd want stock -- including a suspension perfectly set up for my 160lb weight -- but I've heard the power delivery isn't quite as nice as the KDX (good - there is definitely more of it; bad - it has a noticeable hit when it gets on the pipe). That said, the KTM forum is full of converts from the KDX to the KTM 200 and they all love it. I really need to ride both and should get the opp in a month or so.

Posted by: gooby---------------------

i thought it was u.remember my klx is goin nowhere that said the kdx is no doubt an absolute blast.i don't know why tom sold his 220?saturday was the best ,with gary's gone we used my 2 bikes .got to ride both.it sux when ur own bike roosts ya lol.no mine is a 99 200 the previous owner put the usd off a klx on it.with all the racetech stuff done (shock too) i like it much better than gary's 96 was stock,i rode it often.we got his good this set up on mine just feels better totally diff than his was,i have a scotts damper too.i looked at ktm but the fun i have with this bike it would be tough to justify the money.i sold some things this bike came to me with ,brought the purchase dn to 2,600 invested to have fun. till i get a baja des kit ,it has a street plate remember woo hoo. i'm a deal shopper it's a flaw but the best deal is the kdx imo is a super fun bike.stats prob say the ktm is better but it would be tough to prove it to me,fun per dollar wise. dc.....klx,kdx'er

Posted by: DougRoost---------------------

Yes, KDX does sound like a good fun/dollar deal, especially when you get a good deal on a used one with the goodies (just like a KLX!). Otherwise, you eat up the price diff on the KTM 200 really fast with things such as pipe, suspender rework, aluminum bars, decent footpegs, rims, etc. (and you still don't have as good of suspenders, hydraulic clutch, or powdercoated frame).

Tom emailed me and the main reason he sold his KDX220 was he lost all confidence in it when that clutch hub nut came loose and shot out the side cover. Can't really blame him -- you have to wonder if you bought one that was built on a Monday or something -- would be a constant bad feeling on the back of a 12 mile enduro loop!

You still didn't answer me as to how you decide which bike to ride? Do you start on the KDX and switch to the thumper when you get tired? Does it depend on where you're riding that day?

Posted by: gooby---------------------

that's easy gary hates the klx so i let him ride the 200 ,funny he can't shake me on the sand track or the powerlines or the woods (pisses him off) only the county trail where it's like straight,flat.i can't compete with the accl or squirt of the 2smoke.nothin's perfect .i don't care i enjoy my klx as well.funny part he doesn't do well on the 4 i told him it's an aquired thing lol
dc

Posted by: teton---------------------

Just a note, the USD forks only came on 93-94 KDX 200's 89-92 came with 43mm conventional non cartridge forks, 95 to present including the 220's all have 43mm cartridge conventional forks. Why the flip-flop and back again, I have no clue. Hope it helps.

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forks?

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