Picking up a 2002 KDX 220 Friday. What to do to it first?
-
- Member
- Posts: 133
- Joined: 06:38 pm Oct 12 2013
- Country:
- Location: Moore, OK
Picking up a 2002 KDX 220 Friday. What to do to it first?
I am picking up a 2002 KDX 220 this Friday evening. It is all original except for a skid plate, new handlebars and brush guards. The bike is mint! Very clean, and low hours on it.
I won't have much time to ride it with winter coming, etc. So now is the time to sort the bike out. What maintenance should I do to it right away?
I'm 230 lbs in full gear. What springs do I need for the forks and shock? Gold valves will have to wait until spring or summer next year. I will be using this bike to ride single track in rocky terrain. Should I do the mod to remove shims from the forks?
Any advice you can give would be great! I'm a guy that loves to tinker so i'm ready to make a list. I already have a bad azz KLR 650 dual sport with gold valves, springs, custom shock, and all the rest of the farkles. So I love to wrench, and I love to mod my rides to perform their best possible.
So far I have:
Grease swingarm bearings
Change out fork oil
Change transmission oil
Thanks everyone!
I won't have much time to ride it with winter coming, etc. So now is the time to sort the bike out. What maintenance should I do to it right away?
I'm 230 lbs in full gear. What springs do I need for the forks and shock? Gold valves will have to wait until spring or summer next year. I will be using this bike to ride single track in rocky terrain. Should I do the mod to remove shims from the forks?
Any advice you can give would be great! I'm a guy that loves to tinker so i'm ready to make a list. I already have a bad azz KLR 650 dual sport with gold valves, springs, custom shock, and all the rest of the farkles. So I love to wrench, and I love to mod my rides to perform their best possible.
So far I have:
Grease swingarm bearings
Change out fork oil
Change transmission oil
Thanks everyone!
2002 KDX 220R
2003 KLR 650
2003 KLR 650
-
- Member
- Posts: 133
- Joined: 06:38 pm Oct 12 2013
- Country:
- Location: Moore, OK
Re: Picking up a 2002 KDX 220 Friday. What to do to it firs
Also, I have read on here about sag settings for the rear, but what about the front? I'm thinking my klr is different because I had to set sag up front using a different length of pipe in the forks to get my sag to a certain measurement.
2002 KDX 220R
2003 KLR 650
2003 KLR 650
-
- Member
- Posts: 463
- Joined: 02:47 pm Aug 10 2012
- Country: USA
- Location: Sac, Ca
Re: Picking up a 2002 KDX 220 Friday. What to do to it firs
I imagine what you're most likely to hear is to swap out the stock piston for a forged one, as on the 220 they have been known to have caused some pretty catastrophic failures.
-
- Member
- Posts: 133
- Joined: 06:38 pm Oct 12 2013
- Country:
- Location: Moore, OK
Re: Picking up a 2002 KDX 220 Friday. What to do to it firs
Where is the cheapest place to get a piston kit?
2002 KDX 220R
2003 KLR 650
2003 KLR 650
-
- Supporting Member I
- Posts: 143
- Joined: 06:05 am Apr 02 2013
- Country: United States
- Location: Carrollton, TX
Picking up a 2002 KDX 220 Friday. What to do to it first?
I bought one on ebay it included everything
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wiseco-Top-End- ... 5ad0355cd6
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wiseco-Top-End- ... 5ad0355cd6
-
- Supporting Member I
- Posts: 143
- Joined: 06:05 am Apr 02 2013
- Country: United States
- Location: Carrollton, TX
Re: Picking up a 2002 KDX 220 Friday. What to do to it firs
A pipe makes a huge difference I have a pro circuit platinum and love it. While your doing the piston put in a set of reeds. I would also recommend changing the brake fluid.
-
- Member
- Posts: 133
- Joined: 06:38 pm Oct 12 2013
- Country:
- Location: Moore, OK
Re: Picking up a 2002 KDX 220 Friday. What to do to it firs
Awesome. Thanks!spl383 wrote:I bought one on ebay it included everything
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wiseco-Top-End- ... 5ad0355cd6
2002 KDX 220R
2003 KLR 650
2003 KLR 650
-
- Member
- Posts: 133
- Joined: 06:38 pm Oct 12 2013
- Country:
- Location: Moore, OK
Re: Picking up a 2002 KDX 220 Friday. What to do to it firs
I'm guessing I would need the fmf gnarly pipe for woods riding.spl383 wrote:A pipe makes a huge difference I have a pro circuit platinum and love it. While your doing the piston put in a set of reeds. I would also recommend changing the brake fluid.
2002 KDX 220R
2003 KLR 650
2003 KLR 650
- scheckaet
- KDXRider.net
- Posts: 3740
- Joined: 12:09 am Nov 10 2005
- Country:
- Location: edmond oklahoma
Picking up a 2002 KDX 220 Friday. What to do to it first?
check sig for newb thread.
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
- adam728
- Supporting Member
- Posts: 388
- Joined: 05:29 am Jul 29 2013
- Country:
- Location: Michigan
Re: Picking up a 2002 KDX 220 Friday. What to do to it firs
The porting is different on the 220 vs the 200. The higher reving 200 pipes act more as lowend pipes on the 220, and the gnarly acts as an ubber lowend pipe and hurts top end.JasonK94Z wrote:I'm guessing I would need the fmf gnarly pipe for woods riding.spl383 wrote:A pipe makes a huge difference I have a pro circuit platinum and love it. While your doing the piston put in a set of reeds. I would also recommend changing the brake fluid.
Sent via morse code
-
- Member
- Posts: 133
- Joined: 06:38 pm Oct 12 2013
- Country:
- Location: Moore, OK
Re: Picking up a 2002 KDX 220 Friday. What to do to it firs
adam728 wrote:The porting is different on the 220 vs the 200. The higher reving 200 pipes act more as lowend pipes on the 220, and the gnarly acts as an ubber lowend pipe and hurts top end.JasonK94Z wrote:I'm guessing I would need the fmf gnarly pipe for woods riding.spl383 wrote:A pipe makes a huge difference I have a pro circuit platinum and love it. While your doing the piston put in a set of reeds. I would also recommend changing the brake fluid.
Sent via morse code
I see. So I am guessing the desert pipe is the way to go for the 220 then.
2002 KDX 220R
2003 KLR 650
2003 KLR 650
-
- Member
- Posts: 100
- Joined: 11:19 pm Sep 09 2013
- Country:
Re: Picking up a 2002 KDX 220 Friday. What to do to it firs
open up the air box , Put a pipe on it , rejet and reeds that alone will wake it up. I own three of them and that is the first thing i do . I run the desert pipes myself , we ride cross country sage brush country , and eastern washington ,oregon woods . The woods pipe when jetted right will give you plenty of RPM. I weigh over 200 with gear and my 220 will go plenty fast enough to get you HURT . LOL. I can hang with the 250 four strokes and the 2 stroke KTM's . suspension is going to be spendy BUT well worth the cost , weak link is the forks . I have yet to have a piston problem BUT we let our bikes warm up real good before riding . Maybe im flirting with disaster --- well see in time. Other then the above mentioned about all that is left is the RB updates to carb and head . I have opted to leave mine stock as they are plenty fast enough for me in that form . Grease, Grease and grease the bearings all over the bike , Did i mention to grease all the bearings
-
- Member
- Posts: 11
- Joined: 01:11 pm Mar 10 2013
- Country:
Picking up a 2002 KDX 220 Friday. What to do to it first?
I also picked up a pre-owned 220 this year. I decided to play it safe and do a top end swap immediately. Also, packed all the bearings and pivots with marine grade grease. I know a lot of people suggest a pipe but I think it might be a good idea to take the bike out once you do the new piston and see how you like it. I think the stock setup is actually really good as a trailbike and I've found no reason to mess with it. Only thing I have planned for this winter is having the suspension set up for my weight. These are great bikes. Wish Kawi would release a updated version as 2 strokes are still very popular with the non-motocross crowd.
-
- Supporting Member II
- Posts: 342
- Joined: 11:20 pm Jul 23 2013
- Country:
Re: Picking up a 2002 KDX 220 Friday. What to do to it firs
1st thing to do is ........ride it!
97-220 with a PC pipe. 2015- RB carb and head mod
-
- Supporting Member I
- Posts: 500
- Joined: 07:35 pm Nov 06 2013
- Country:
Re: Picking up a 2002 KDX 220 Friday. What to do to it firs
And show pic's! Everyone likes pic's ! Congrats !
-
- Supporting Member III
- Posts: 1484
- Joined: 02:26 pm Jun 29 2005
- Country:
- Location: Alabama
Re: Picking up a 2002 KDX 220 Friday. What to do to it firs
Ride it until the snow comes, of course.
If you have time and money this winter I'd do the following
Top end, just so you know it is right and fresh
RB head mod. I think it is the best bange for the buck on a 220. What, $45?
Pipe and silencer. The stock pipe is pretty limiting, the stock silencer is O.K. but can plug up.
Open up the air box a bit to complement the pipe
Seriously consider a fork swap. The correct springs in the stock forks will help a lot but a KX front end makes the bike night and day better.
All the usual grease and fluid changes
If you have time and money this winter I'd do the following
Top end, just so you know it is right and fresh
RB head mod. I think it is the best bange for the buck on a 220. What, $45?
Pipe and silencer. The stock pipe is pretty limiting, the stock silencer is O.K. but can plug up.
Open up the air box a bit to complement the pipe
Seriously consider a fork swap. The correct springs in the stock forks will help a lot but a KX front end makes the bike night and day better.
All the usual grease and fluid changes
'08 KTM200xc
'99 CR/KDX Hybrid with that RB stuff done to it
KX100 for the boy
'99 CR/KDX Hybrid with that RB stuff done to it
KX100 for the boy
-
- Member
- Posts: 133
- Joined: 06:38 pm Oct 12 2013
- Country:
- Location: Moore, OK
Re: Picking up a 2002 KDX 220 Friday. What to do to it firs
This is my plan so far. What about the RB carb? Worth it?KarlP wrote:Ride it until the snow comes, of course.
If you have time and money this winter I'd do the following
Top end, just so you know it is right and fresh
RB head mod. I think it is the best bange for the buck on a 220. What, $45?
Pipe and silencer. The stock pipe is pretty limiting, the stock silencer is O.K. but can plug up.
Open up the air box a bit to complement the pipe
Seriously consider a fork swap. The correct springs in the stock forks will help a lot but a KX front end makes the bike night and day better.
All the usual grease and fluid changes
2002 KDX 220R
2003 KLR 650
2003 KLR 650
- turtle
- Supporting Member II
- Posts: 460
- Joined: 02:00 pm Jun 21 2010
- Country:
- Location: Central IL
Re: Picking up a 2002 KDX 220 Friday. What to do to it firs
I know I need to review in the RB section, but for completeness can you give the short version of what the RB head mod does for the 220? I also seem to recall reading it makes the bike more sensitive to jetting. Is that true as well?KarlP wrote:Ride it until the snow comes, of course.
If you have time and money this winter I'd do the following
Top end, just so you know it is right and fresh
RB head mod. I think it is the best bange for the buck on a 220. What, $45?
Pipe and silencer. The stock pipe is pretty limiting, the stock silencer is O.K. but can plug up.
Open up the air box a bit to complement the pipe
Seriously consider a fork swap. The correct springs in the stock forks will help a lot but a KX front end makes the bike night and day better.
All the usual grease and fluid changes
Bill
Central IL
2004 KDX220R
2011 Triumph Tiger 1050 SE
Central IL
2004 KDX220R
2011 Triumph Tiger 1050 SE
-
- Supporting Member III
- Posts: 1484
- Joined: 02:26 pm Jun 29 2005
- Country:
- Location: Alabama
Re: Picking up a 2002 KDX 220 Friday. What to do to it firs
The RB carb is ~$250. Ron changes how the pilot circuit works, bores the carb and puts in a divider plate. The carb will behave like a small carb up to about 1/2 throttle and like a big carb at full throttle. I really liked it on my hybrid. Whether it is worth it or not is up to you. For a really nice running bike I'm not sure it is needed.
Ron also adjusts the squish in the stock 220 head and raises the compression a bit. The 220 motor really benefits from that. I saw quite an improvement in low to mid rpm performance. I did not find any greater sensitivity to jetting.
Ron also adjusts the squish in the stock 220 head and raises the compression a bit. The 220 motor really benefits from that. I saw quite an improvement in low to mid rpm performance. I did not find any greater sensitivity to jetting.
'08 KTM200xc
'99 CR/KDX Hybrid with that RB stuff done to it
KX100 for the boy
'99 CR/KDX Hybrid with that RB stuff done to it
KX100 for the boy
-
- Supporting Member III
- Posts: 17
- Joined: 08:38 pm Mar 22 2014
- Country: