kdx 250 should i buy it how differant is it to a 200

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torana8669
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kdx 250 should i buy it how differant is it to a 200

Post by torana8669 »

Hi guys my name is Rob i live in Australia and am new to this forum i own a kdx 200 1993 and love the bike but its not the registrable model and i want more power so i am looking at buying a 1992 kdx 250 is there much difference between the two height and handling wise? as i am only a short bloke (173cm) and love how the kdx 200 feels and handles on the trails.
Here is what has been done to the bike i want to buy he wants $2500AU
*bike frame has been stripped down inc swingarm and sandblasted + professionally powdercoated in a grey colour

*wheel have been respoked with stainlesss steel spokes (no buckles) & have green powder coated hubs with black powdercoated rims @ cost of $

*pro circuit expansion pipe & muffler close to new (maybe 1 tiny ding)

kx front end

*cylinder head replated & race ported by motorcross madness @ cost of $1100

*Big end bearing replaced 20 hours ago

*all brand new top end gaskets & seals including thinner head gasket for more power

*brand new forged piston & ring kit inc bearings(just run in)

*new "gripper" seat cover & seat cushioning trimmed for closer riding position

*new wheel bearings, stem bearings, swingarm bearing (pretty much all bearings & seals throughout frame replaced & greased) $290 (plus labour cost)

*new "kenda" tyres front & back atleast 95% tread

*new digital "vapor" gauge connected for all ancillorys eg radiator temp, speed, gears, shift light as well as backlit

*new front & rear sintered brake pads + new motul brake fluids

*new fork seals & motul 5w fluid

*new "boyesen" carbon fiber reeds

*new front headlight with built in blinkers

*new gear lever

*new carb slide, needle & jets, bike has been completely dyno tuned for optimum power & reliability

*7 months of nsw registration

Bike comes with "BOYSEN RAD VALVE" which came from usa delayed after i had it dyno tuned, it cost me $230 and is brand new & comes with the bike.

*front/rear fairings, fork covers have been taken from a 2010 kawasaki monster edition & is styled after it. cost about

*brand new "no toil" air filter installed

*long range 12 litre tank

*barkbusters

*new front/rear sprockets & chain

*new motul gearbox fluid

*new forksaver seals

most bolts & nuts have threadlock & or replaced with allen key style bolts.

what do you guys think should i buy it?
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SS109
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Post by SS109 »

This is what I have posted about the KDX250 before...

The 250 is considerably heavier than my 200 and I can feel it! This is what the factory Kawasaki manuals lists...

E series KDX200 at 102kg (225lbs) dry - 111kg (245lbs) wet
D series KDX250 is 107kg (236lbs) dry - 124kg (273lbs) wet

As for my input on the KDX250, IMO, the chassis is not up to par with other KDX's of the period. It is heavy, it turns way too slow, and the seating position does not allow you to slide up to the tank nearly as good as an E series 200. These all combine to make it a handful when in tight singletrack. There isn't anything you can do to correct any of those problems unfortunately. I tried moving the forks up in the triples, playing with the shock preload, clickers, etc. to no avail. All I ended up with was a bike that was extremely unstable at any speed above roughly 15mph.

Now, don't get me wrong as the bike is still a very capable machine and I enjoy riding mine. The power is way more than a 200/220. You can lug up hills on it that you would be fanning the clutch a lot on a 200/220. Just an easy twist of the wrist will lift the front end over obstacles. I have had it up to 84mph (GPS verified) on a dirt road once and it is rock solid stable at those speeds. It really does have a lot going for it but the negatives really hurt it's potential. If Kawasaki had only put it into a KX250 chassis of the time, and just added lights, they really would have had something with the KDX250.

I don't know what the currency exchange rate is but I paid $450 for mine in good running condition, with a clear title, but far from pristine condition looks wise. It came with a full Pro Circuit exhaust system and Acerbis barkbusters. Hope this helps!
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torana8669
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Post by torana8669 »

do you think the kx front forks will help with the slow steering to help to handle more like a standard kdx200? as i like how the kdx 200 handles on the tight trails
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radonc73
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Post by radonc73 »

The forks will help, the stock ones suck and were sprung for like a 125lb guy. I put new springs in mine had to cut KX springs down. Seems a little easier to ride now but I have not ridden alot since I changed them. Have had 2 kids though. :doh:
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Post by sped66 »

To concur with SS109...
IMO, the 250 isn't nearly as nimble in the tight stuff. And yes it feels heavier than a 200/220 but it still felt lighter than my XR250, even if it really wasn't. (Lower center of gravity & less rotating mass in the motor I guess.) Mine had the stock seat which made the bike feel really tall for me even though I'm a respectable 5' 11". I couldn't quite sit flat footed & kick starting the bike on hills was a challenge due to the seat height. I tipped over more than once in tight singletrack. Open trails were a joy to ride though.

The saving grace on the 250 was the engine. It would tractor up most anything & a twist of the throttle was grin producing. (My '91 was an abused beater or I'd likely still have it.) FOR ME, the motors on KDX200/220's are somewhat "wimpy" by comparison. If it weren't for the performance boost of the RB mods I'd probably sell my 220 in favor of something else.
In the stable: '00 KDX220R, '02 XR250R
Gone but not forgotten: '80 XR80, '87 XR200R, '94 KDX250, '01 YZ426F, '86 XR220R
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Post by plotski »

I own a 93 KD250 and a 97 KD220....and I can tell you that the 250 is alot heavier bike(and feels it) Since I bought the 220 I have only ridden the 250 a couple of times....and am still amazed at how much of a Tank it is. The motor is awesome...tractors through anything and revs out well...but the chasis makes it pointless.
Wherever you go......there you are

1993 KDX250
1997 KDX220 Street Legal !!
torana8669
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Post by torana8669 »

thanks heaps for the info i am having second thoughts now if its not going to fell like my kdx200 then i don't think i'll like it
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Post by torana8669 »

SO I'M GUSSING WHEN YOU GUY PICK A BIKE TO RIDE TIGHT TRAILS YOU PICK YOUR KDX200 OR 220 OVER THE 250?
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SS109
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Post by SS109 »

It depends on conditions. The 250 can climb way better than the 200/220. If I'm doing a lot of gnarly hill climbs the 250 might get the nod. If there is deep sand and mud as well then the 250 would be my choice.
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sped66
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Post by sped66 »

I think the motor is more forgiving on the 250. You'll stall less & lug through most stuff with ease. Great for hill climbs if you can keep the front end down. Easily wheelie over obstacles with a simple twist of the throttle.
The 200/220 doesn't have much of that but is more nimble. Good riders can bounce through the woods like a deer on one. More clutch work & higher rpms seem to be in order for me. (Autoclutch helps alleviate that.)
Torque vs handling, imo.
Anyone over 6' & 180 lbs with some muscle & a need for power should consider the kdx250, if a kdx is on the menu. I feel much more comfortable on a 220 for tight singletrack. I do miss the 250 engine though.
In the stable: '00 KDX220R, '02 XR250R
Gone but not forgotten: '80 XR80, '87 XR200R, '94 KDX250, '01 YZ426F, '86 XR220R
torana8669
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Post by torana8669 »

Thanks guys i ended up changing my mind and buying the 250 it was like a brand new bike with all the good bits on it he had spent alot of money on it cost him over $6500 on a full rebuild (all recipts) on bike so i thought why not can't wait to take it for a ride looks like a sweet as bike will put some photos up soon thanks again for your help
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