New rider would appreciate advice

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treetopflying
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New rider would appreciate advice

Post by treetopflying »

Hello members. I'm about as green as they come to dirt bikes. I have experience with quads but little with motorcycles and none with dirt bikes. I would like a beginner bike but one that i could grow into without having to upgrade. I've been searching the internet for a couple of months and have decided to go with a KDX 200 because it meets those specifications and it seems to have a great reputation. I will mostly be riding the bike around some land I own and then move onto paid trails/tracks once I feel comfortable. I'm in my mid thirties 6'0,weight 225 and live in Texas if that means anything with suggestions

I know very little about what to look for in a quality used bike. What should I be cautious of so I don't purchase a junker? What would be a good price for a 95 and newer bike? Where should I look to purchase? Any other suggestions or advice you think would be helpful will be much appreciated.

KP
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diymirage
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Re: New rider would appreciate advice

Post by diymirage »

welcome aboard

the KDX did not change mechanically between 96 and 2006 so IMHO age isnt as important as condition
the main things you want to look for is signs of poor maintenance, how do the sprockets look, is the chain tensioned properly and is the air filter clean and freshly oiled
you also want to check to see if there is any play on the bearings, wheels, steering bearings, swingarm

other then that i dont think there are too many pitfalls out there
there really isnt anything on these bikes that is prone to failure but if you are going to consider a 220 aswell stay away from stock pistons

as for price, that very much depends on the region you are in
i paid 800 plus trade for my KDX and i see them locally on craigslist between 800 and 1500

if you see one on craigslist you like feel free to post a link to the add and we'll be happy to share our thoughts on that particular bike

also, keep in mind the season is ending and lots of people are selling thier bikes to finance thier sleds and if it is for sale they "want" to get rid of it so dont be afraid to make an offer lower then the asking price
newbbewb wrote:DIYmirage has it right.


-1996 KDX 200 woods weapon (converted to 99 green body)
-1996 KDX 200 plated street toy (barney edition)
-2003 Yamaha TTR125-L (wifeys bike)
-1997 KDX 220 project bike
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fuzzy
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Re: New rider would appreciate advice

Post by fuzzy »

Welcome!
'91 KDX 200 Project $300 KDX
'95 KDX 200 Project $600 KDX
'94 WR 250 Always a project
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rbates9
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Re: New rider would appreciate advice

Post by rbates9 »

diymirage wrote:
also, keep in mind the season is ending and lots of people are selling thier bikes to finance thier sleds and if it is for sale they "want" to get rid of it so dont be afraid to make an offer lower then the asking price
:hmm:

I wasn't aware of the popularity of sleds in Texas. :wink:

But other then that +1 If you know what to look for and look out for with quads then a bike isn't really that different. Just a few less parts.
One thing to remember when looking at a 95+ KDX is they were the same bike as mentioned above. With that in mind it would be worth looking at the VIN and make sure the bike is what year they say it is. Condition is key but if they are trying to sell you a "2005" and the VIN shows up as a 2002 you may have a little more to dicker with. I have seen some junk 06's and some pristine 95's FWIW.
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scheckaet
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New rider would appreciate advice

Post by scheckaet »

do yourself a favor and get a 200, the superior of the KDX. :busted:
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diymirage
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Re: New rider would appreciate advice

Post by diymirage »

rbates9 wrote:
diymirage wrote:
also, keep in mind the season is ending and lots of people are selling thier bikes to finance thier sleds and if it is for sale they "want" to get rid of it so dont be afraid to make an offer lower then the asking price
:hmm:

I wasn't aware of the popularity of sleds in Texas. :wink:
ho ho ho buddy ;)


Image
newbbewb wrote:DIYmirage has it right.


-1996 KDX 200 woods weapon (converted to 99 green body)
-1996 KDX 200 plated street toy (barney edition)
-2003 Yamaha TTR125-L (wifeys bike)
-1997 KDX 220 project bike
Thrahl
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Re: New rider would appreciate advice

Post by Thrahl »

Everything about that picture is awesome.
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diymirage
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Re: New rider would appreciate advice

Post by diymirage »

you know there has got to be a few cans of PBR hidden in that picture somewhere
newbbewb wrote:DIYmirage has it right.


-1996 KDX 200 woods weapon (converted to 99 green body)
-1996 KDX 200 plated street toy (barney edition)
-2003 Yamaha TTR125-L (wifeys bike)
-1997 KDX 220 project bike
Roadhazardguy
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Re: New rider would appreciate advice

Post by Roadhazardguy »

Welcome to your new home away from home!

Sleds? Must be WAY up north in Texas.
Tony
1988 KDX 200
1980 KD 80
1989 ATK 406
1984 RM 500
1980 KZ 1300
2008 SM450R
treetopflying
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New rider would appreciate advice

Post by treetopflying »

Thanks for the suggestion. If anybody else has tips on what to avoid please share.

I'm looking at a couple of bikes on Craigslist. They range from $1700-2400 for bikes from 2002-2007. Is that in line with value or just people trying to make some money?
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diymirage
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Re: New rider would appreciate advice

Post by diymirage »

seems WAY high to me, someone must need a sled BAD ;)

feel free to post the actual craigslist add and well look them over
newbbewb wrote:DIYmirage has it right.


-1996 KDX 200 woods weapon (converted to 99 green body)
-1996 KDX 200 plated street toy (barney edition)
-2003 Yamaha TTR125-L (wifeys bike)
-1997 KDX 220 project bike
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fuzzy
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Re: New rider would appreciate advice

Post by fuzzy »

I hope Santa brings me plenty of PBR, and Venison Tenderloin!
'91 KDX 200 Project $300 KDX
'95 KDX 200 Project $600 KDX
'94 WR 250 Always a project
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rbates9
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New rider would appreciate advice

Post by rbates9 »

Price depends on the area you are from. To get a good idea of what they are worth look around at the different classifieds in your area and see what an average price is. Then go from there. Around me $2000 is top dollar for a perfect KDX. But some other places they go for more and some they go for less.

Again, post the adds and we might be able to help sort out the good from the bad.
treetopflying
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New rider would appreciate advice

Post by treetopflying »

Here are the local listings. There is not much.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/search/sss ... k=&maxAsk=

I would like to get a 95 or newer.
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diymirage
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Re: New rider would appreciate advice

Post by diymirage »

http://dallas.craigslist.org/sdf/mcy/3378595650.html

seems to expensive
also, the rear end sticks up way to high
could be a bent frame or a ill adjusted rear spring?


http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/mcy/3408223490.html

to old, so we'll just skip over this one ;)


http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/mcd/3405532206.html

do not underestimate the value of a street title
resale will be bigger and being able to put it around town rocks
im not a big fan of the black paint on the side covers BUT i do like the paint on the frame where your left foot rubs as you shift
this looks like a low hours bike to me



http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/mcy/3388585510.html

again, to old , this is NOT a 98 bike as listed, the frame is a dead give away, its a pre 96 model



http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/mcy/3345901052.html
this one i LIKE
the purple seat makes me think it is a 96 model and it looks brand new
i see no scratches and no paint worn off where it would on higher hour bikes
its missing the decal on the left hand side cover but that is it
the rust on the chain would worry me a little but chances are this is the OEM chain and that would prove my low hour idea
with the price they are asking i would put this one on the top of my list

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/mcy/3264380686.html

nice looking bike (though with thise huse bar busters it reminds me of dumbo) and looks to be low miles
lots of new parts but the one thing you need to replace on this bike is not mentioned...the piston
not an issue on the 200 models the 220 pistons are prone to explode without any warning
the mods are nice and might be worth it (if you are 200 pounds) but it still seems pricey and if they can not say for sure the piston is replaced it needs to

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/mcy/3320584283.html

price is right but again, not a H model (H model is 96-06)
newbbewb wrote:DIYmirage has it right.


-1996 KDX 200 woods weapon (converted to 99 green body)
-1996 KDX 200 plated street toy (barney edition)
-2003 Yamaha TTR125-L (wifeys bike)
-1997 KDX 220 project bike
treetopflying
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New rider would appreciate advice

Post by treetopflying »

diymirage,

I appreciate your taking the time to look at each bike and offering advice.

I like the street rider also but my budget is 1500. That's one of the reasons I choose the KDX. The entry barrier was in my budget. It's being sold by a dealer. I'll call them tomorrow and see if they will sell for 1500. What do you think it is worth?

I talked to the guy with the purple seat bike but it was already sold.

Since this is my first bike I'm wanted to stay at the 200cc range. there also seems to be a lot more info on the net for working on the 200.

I'll keep looking around and post what I find. I've already learned a bit on what to look for from your suggestions.

Thanks
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diymirage
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New rider would appreciate advice

Post by diymirage »

its all good :)


its a tough call for me to say how much it is worth
here in MI 2000.00 would be top dollar
but it seems about going rate in TX

the add mentioned something about 15% discount ?
that would put this bike at 1695.75
now we're coming close to your pricerange

since my number one choice got sold id seriously consider this one
my KDX is plated and i love it

but dont buy it on my account
give it a little while and see if anyone closer to you chimes in, they should have a better idea of what a bike or a sled goes for there ;)
newbbewb wrote:DIYmirage has it right.


-1996 KDX 200 woods weapon (converted to 99 green body)
-1996 KDX 200 plated street toy (barney edition)
-2003 Yamaha TTR125-L (wifeys bike)
-1997 KDX 220 project bike
Roadhazardguy
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Re: New rider would appreciate advice

Post by Roadhazardguy »

Look I found one, go get it quick. http://tulsa.craigslist.org/mcy/3380202831.html
Tony
1988 KDX 200
1980 KD 80
1989 ATK 406
1984 RM 500
1980 KZ 1300
2008 SM450R
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diymirage
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Re: New rider would appreciate advice

Post by diymirage »

doesnt say if its a 200 or 220
keep those exploding pistons in mind ;)
newbbewb wrote:DIYmirage has it right.


-1996 KDX 200 woods weapon (converted to 99 green body)
-1996 KDX 200 plated street toy (barney edition)
-2003 Yamaha TTR125-L (wifeys bike)
-1997 KDX 220 project bike
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B737driver
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New rider would appreciate advice

Post by B737driver »

http://dallas.craigslist.org/sdf/mcy/3421933901.html

This looks promising. Looks totally stock and clean. I'm certain $1500 would buy it. As others have stated....replace the piston before you ride it.

I am in the north Texas area and keep an eye out for KDX's, this is a good deal. It was posted on 11/19, worth checking on IMHO.

I'm a 200 guy, but I hear you can make these almost as fast with a few mods. :lol:
Nothing personal my 220 brethren.
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