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Long term cost?
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Posted by: Slim2---------------------
What's up guys and gals? I am a total beginner at this. Actually I don't have a bike so I don't know if I even qualify for that. Anyways, I really want to get into the sport and offroad is what I'm leaning toward. I have read mags and countless websites and am considering the KDX220. My concern though is cost. I have more ''hobbies" than I really should and none are cheap. The price of the bike, gear, and aftermarket mods is do-able. The only thing I am unsure of is maintence cost. How much does it cost to maintain a bike? I really hadn't thought about it until I visited a KTM dealer and he told me that a two stokes top end would have to be serviced every 15hrs. of riding time and that that was $200. Is this true or was he just pushing to sell me the more expensive four stoke? Any help would be great!
No worries. Slim2
Posted by: diablo682---------------------
I am fairly new too, though I do have a bike now. I have a TTR 225 4 stroke. It is definitely low maint. just up keep. I am looking into a 2 stroke also because of the quickness and speed. I am realizing more and more that they are in fact higher maintenence. Remember though that four stroke parts are quite a bit more expensive! I really want a YZ 250. I am not sure if I will go with a bigger 4 stroke or a YZ. It depends on the riding you will do. As a newbie like me, I reccomend something to learn on that will last and once you get the experience, then decide weather you want to race or continue to casually ride and have fun. That will tell you where to lean toward for your second bike. I hope you have as much fun with it as I am having! Good luck!!!
Posted by: crkid---------------------
For the average Joe, 15hrs. is way too short. I do it a few times a year. Also, if you have the tools and a shop manual you should be able to do a top end yourself then you'll just need to buy the gaskets($30) and piston rings(forget how much, but less than gaskets). Most shops charge an arm and a leg for labor, so that's probably where $200 came from. Don't get me wrong, it is expensive, that 2-stroke oil and gas goes really fast 
. You also must change the tranny oil regularly. It adds up, but good luck.
Posted by: kciH---------------------
The KDX is would likely be a good starter bike for you, as it is easy to manage and has enough power to keep you interested and it's easy to get more when you want it. All motorcycles require maintenance, and you will not have to do the top end on a KDX220 every fifteen hours. Once a year would be more like it, unless you are lucky enough to ride a lot. The maintenance on the 4 strokes is more extensive and at rebuild time it will probably be quite a bit more expensive, and it is not as simple to perform yourself if you aren't confident of your mechanical abilities. I ride a YZ426 so I like 4 strokes, but if you want to keep cost down and have a good bike the KDX is probably a pretty good choice unless you want to do hardcore motocross racing.
Posted by: Joepro9---------------------
if matinece is an issue get an xr. They dont stop. Like my dad says, it was a honda that ran over the energizer bunny
Posted by: dell30rb---------------------
Joepro...
If you bought a kdx, you should plan to spend about 150 a year on top end parts. (this can be done by yourself, I just did one and I'm 15 and have had this bike for 6months). In a year you will probably run through a chain and sprocket set ( if you ride alot) Those run around 100. You will also run through a set of tires. (depend on how much you ride, where you ride etc..) a set of tires is around 100 bucks. You will also have to change the tranny oil 10 times or so during the year (this is really easy and oil is very cheap).
Thats about all I can think of.
Posted by: Joepro9---------------------
what dell its true lol
Posted by: dell30rb---------------------
Yes. It is very true. My friend had an xr80 that ran forever. It was a 1994, and he had it until last year. All he ever did was change the plug once, and change the oil once. He rode it alot too. Didnt even clean the air filter either.
Posted by: clutchcover---------------------
Most kdx's if ridden by someone not racing will go way more than a year without topend service. The kips is what requires the maintainence. It needs cleaned often. Most people replace the rings once a year, just for good measure. Also, look at the 200, you get more topend and for the extra price you pay for the 220 you can get it bored to a 220 and ported. The xr's are great but are heavy as hell compared to the kdx. They also do not have the 2 stroke snap. Go to the kdx forum and ask around. They'll sway you to the green side.
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