kdx 220 weaknesses?
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kdx 220 weaknesses?
hello!
besides lighting what are the kdx 220 (stock '01 model) trouble areas? things to look out for. ..?
thanks,
paul
p.s. having lot's of fun with my kdx so far this season...
besides lighting what are the kdx 220 (stock '01 model) trouble areas? things to look out for. ..?
thanks,
paul
p.s. having lot's of fun with my kdx so far this season...
- SS109
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The stock piston which is known to grenade without warning and the front suspension.
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Current KDX: '98 KDX220
Old KDX: '90 KDX200 -White/Blue
'11 GasGas EC250R
AZ State Parks & Trails OHV Ambassador - Trail Riders of Southern AZ
Current KDX: '98 KDX220
Old KDX: '90 KDX200 -White/Blue
'11 GasGas EC250R
- scheckaet
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+1
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what is it exactly that is wrong with the forks and what is the fix?
Last edited by paulkdx220 on 04:07 am Aug 09 2011, edited 2 times in total.
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The stock piston on the 220 is prone to developing cracks in the skirt area. When that happens it can suffer catastrophic failure (break), often times causing damage to the engine cases and cylinder.
The reccomended preventative action is to install a Wiseco piston as soon as you can.
The KDX cylinder is plated so the usual repair is to have it re plated. Some people have it re sleaved.
Some people feel that the stock forks are too soft and flex too much. One of the common fixes is to modify the bike to accept the upside down forks from a motocross bike, or at least put in stiffer springs.
I personally prefer the softer front suspension for trail riding. It keeps my wrists from getting sore.
The reccomended preventative action is to install a Wiseco piston as soon as you can.
The KDX cylinder is plated so the usual repair is to have it re plated. Some people have it re sleaved.
Some people feel that the stock forks are too soft and flex too much. One of the common fixes is to modify the bike to accept the upside down forks from a motocross bike, or at least put in stiffer springs.
I personally prefer the softer front suspension for trail riding. It keeps my wrists from getting sore.
KX 250, KDX 220, KDX 220, KDX 200, CR 80
I don't believe in a society where the thrill of living is traded for the safety of existance---Nick Inatsch
I don't believe in a society where the thrill of living is traded for the safety of existance---Nick Inatsch
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Personally, I have no problems with the stock forks, other than needing stiffer springs. IMO, the biggest issue with the KDX's, when compared to newer machines, that is *not easily remedied* is the shape of the seat. The sharp upward curve at the front really keeps you from being able to climb all over the front end. You will notice that all of the newer machines have a much flatter seat. There is a reason for this.
The stock KDX seat is very comfortable for long rides, though, and this can not be said for many of the newer bikes.
The KDX has no other "Achilles Heel" type problems that I am aware of (other than the 220 requiring a Wiseco ASAP, as mentioned here).
I still love the KDX.
The stock KDX seat is very comfortable for long rides, though, and this can not be said for many of the newer bikes.
The KDX has no other "Achilles Heel" type problems that I am aware of (other than the 220 requiring a Wiseco ASAP, as mentioned here).
I still love the KDX.
2004 Dual Sported KDX200
1999 Ninja 250 (Daughter's)
1996 DR 650 (stock, mostly street use)
1999 Ninja 250 (Daughter's)
1996 DR 650 (stock, mostly street use)
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i`ve owned my 03 220 for a few years now & until recently i rode most weekends..my bike has just under 5000miles on it & is still on the stock piston, its never missed a beat & always pulls strong..i will be installing a new piston ( wossoner ) & cleaning up the kips etc soon..the stock suspension works fine for me as i only use the bike for trail use but if you ride hard or do events then just fit a set of xr 400 (2004/5) fork springs & uprate the rear spring, (i`m 95kg & i find stock fine )..the kdx is a perfect trail bike in stock form but can be made more competitive if need be...all depends on how much $$$$ you want to spend, to be honest a good pipe cleaner jetting & a change of gearing is all you may need....check the piston as some go & like mine some dont...maybe i`ve been lucky!
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you cant really tell what piston is in it just by popping off the head ..if it has had a re-bore then there will be a number stamped on the piston top eg .25 or 1.0 depending on how many times its been bored out..if you remove the whole cylinder then you may see a `W` (for wiseco) stamped on the inside of the piston. before you start to tear down the top end just inspect the cylinder head & barrel nuts as a good indication of a strip down are nuts that look like a spanner has been applied to them.. e.g slight rounding etc along with new looking base & reed gaskets.
- kdxmaniac
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if you take the head off, you can tell exactly what piston is in it! weisco always has a MO in the part #. for example...........the 220 stock weisco piston will be stamped with a "750MO6900" on top of the piston. if its not a weisco, it will still be stamped with the bore size on top of the piston.
my bikes
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96 ktm 300
96 XR400R
07 hayabusa
77 kz 1000
85 goldwing 1200
02 BIG DOG PITBULL
gone but not forgotten
96 kdx 200
98 ktm 380 "because it dang near killed me!"
97 ktm 360
96 ktm 250
93 wr 250
94 dr 350s
93 kx 250
07 gsxr 1000
99 bandit 1200
-------------
96 ktm 300
96 XR400R
07 hayabusa
77 kz 1000
85 goldwing 1200
02 BIG DOG PITBULL
gone but not forgotten
96 kdx 200
98 ktm 380 "because it dang near killed me!"
97 ktm 360
96 ktm 250
93 wr 250
94 dr 350s
93 kx 250
07 gsxr 1000
99 bandit 1200
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are these particular cylinders re bored or re plated when clearances get beyond serviceable limits?cornishwrecker220 wrote:you cant really tell what piston is in it just by popping off the head ..if it has had a re-bore then there will be a number stamped on the piston top eg .25 or 1.0 depending on how many times its been bored out..if you remove the whole cylinder then you may see a `W` (for wiseco) stamped on the inside of the piston. before you start to tear down the top end just inspect the cylinder head & barrel nuts as a good indication of a strip down are nuts that look like a spanner has been applied to them.. e.g slight rounding etc along with new looking base & reed gaskets.
- scheckaet
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most of the time a replate is all you need unless you have some serious damages like deep gouges.
02 KX 200 hybrid: RB head and carb
Sold ☹ DRZ 400 SM
bike build: http://www.kdxrider.net/forums/viewtopi ... ike+stable
bike profile http://www.kdxrider.net/forums/viewtopi ... 0709#30709
newb info: http://www.kdxrider.net/forums/viewtopi ... 57#p117919
jetting guide: http://www.kdxrider.net/forums/viewtopi ... 105&t=1156
Sold ☹ DRZ 400 SM
bike build: http://www.kdxrider.net/forums/viewtopi ... ike+stable
bike profile http://www.kdxrider.net/forums/viewtopi ... 0709#30709
newb info: http://www.kdxrider.net/forums/viewtopi ... 57#p117919
jetting guide: http://www.kdxrider.net/forums/viewtopi ... 105&t=1156