Reasonable cruise speed of e series KDX200?

Got questions? We got answers....
Post Reply
thinairflyer
Supporting Member
Posts: 19
Joined: 07:00 pm Jul 19 2014
Country:

Reasonable cruise speed of e series KDX200?

Post by thinairflyer »

So if I should get one of the above model and make it street legal what is the reasonable cruise speed on a highway?

How bad are these for seizing at a constant cruise?

Thanks, L. D.
newbbewb
Supporting Member II
Supporting Member II
Posts: 579
Joined: 12:20 am Jan 22 2012
Country:
Location: sw washington state

Re: Reasonable cruise speed of e series KDX200?

Post by newbbewb »

For driving around town it might be ok, maybe so much fun that local law enforcement could frown on the wheelies you'll ripping on every little bump. for longer distance it would suck. try getting past a semi at highway speeds or taking a crosswind gust...not my idea of a good time.

with 13/48 after 70mph in 6th I'm on the pipe, probably not the most comfortable for cruising. I've cruised gravel roads for 15 or so miles like that, no problem just a little twitchy on throttle. I don't know if this is true of the kdx, or true at all, but I've heard that it's possible to starve the bike of fuel and run it lean doing that because gravity can't pull the fuel fast enough. sounds far fetched to me :hmm:
93 kdx200-Highly modified
89 kx125/kdx200E engine
Buelldustin@gmail.com
User avatar
Julien D
KDXRider.net
KDXRider.net
Posts: 5858
Joined: 07:53 pm Nov 07 2008
Country: USA
Contact:

Re: Reasonable cruise speed of e series KDX200?

Post by Julien D »

newbbewb wrote:
I don't know if this is true of the kdx, or true at all, but I've heard that it's possible to starve the bike of fuel and run it lean doing that because gravity can't pull the fuel fast enough. sounds far fetched to me :hmm:

So the real issue there is when you've been cruising at 70 or so for a while, the engine is good and hot, and you suddenly let off the throttle to slow it down. If you're like most people, you downshift through the gears to bring down the speed. Now you're pulling high RPM for an extended period with the throttle closed and very little lubrication entering the crankcase/cylinder. Recipe for kaboom.
Image
newbbewb
Supporting Member II
Supporting Member II
Posts: 579
Joined: 12:20 am Jan 22 2012
Country:
Location: sw washington state

Re: Reasonable cruise speed of e series KDX200?

Post by newbbewb »

good to know. wow i almost never use compression braking except maybe 1st or 2nd gear on severe downhill when braking isn't an option.

so i guess lifting at high speed/rpm is a bad thing because.....it gets no oil? I can see that, but pulling fuel faster than the tank/floats can go? hmmm

good thing the kdx has ample braking capacity
93 kdx200-Highly modified
89 kx125/kdx200E engine
Buelldustin@gmail.com
User avatar
diymirage
Supporting Member II
Supporting Member II
Posts: 2909
Joined: 05:00 pm Sep 19 2011
Country:
Location: michigan

Re: Reasonable cruise speed of e series KDX200?

Post by diymirage »

My 200 is plated (and has been ticketed for the aforementioned wheelies) and even though it will top out around 75 it looses all comfort around 55

Lots of vibrations and winding it up too tight
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
s10gto
Supporting Member I
Supporting Member I
Posts: 500
Joined: 07:35 pm Nov 06 2013
Country:

Re: Reasonable cruise speed of e series KDX200?

Post by s10gto »

newbbewb wrote:good to know. wow i almost never use compression braking except maybe 1st or 2nd gear on severe downhill when braking isn't an option.

so i guess lifting at high speed/rpm is a bad thing because.....it gets no oil? I can see that, but pulling fuel faster than the tank/floats can go? hmmm

good thing the kdx has ample braking capacity

Well its not the tank/floats thats the problem its the fact of when you let off you are on the little pilot jet. Best to pull the clutch in at high rpm to brake.

I thought of putting mine on the road and maybe installing one size larger pilot.
User avatar
Julien D
KDXRider.net
KDXRider.net
Posts: 5858
Joined: 07:53 pm Nov 07 2008
Country: USA
Contact:

Re: Reasonable cruise speed of e series KDX200?

Post by Julien D »

If you can stay in the habit of pulling the clutch to brake from high speed, that should keep your bike happy.
Image
Bitteeinit
Member
Posts: 360
Joined: 11:44 pm Jul 12 2014
Country:
Location: Cambodia

Re: Reasonable cruise speed of e series KDX200?

Post by Bitteeinit »

That sounds extremely dangerous (coming from a 2-stroke novice).
User avatar
SS109
KDXRider.net
KDXRider.net
Posts: 5770
Joined: 05:11 am Aug 23 2009
Country: USA
Location: Tucson, AZ, USA
Contact:

Reasonable cruise speed of e series KDX200?

Post by SS109 »

Personally, 40mph is the fastest I will cruise on the road and that is with 13/48 gearing. Too much vibration for extended riding and you are winding the engine pretty good above that. IMO, if you really want a street legal 2T, get a 250 or 300.
Youtube Channel: WildAzzRacing
AZ State Parks & Trails OHV Ambassador - Trail Riders of Southern AZ
Current KDX: '98 KDX220
Old KDX: '90 KDX200 -White/Blue
'11 GasGas EC250R
User avatar
kx200
Supporting Member I
Supporting Member I
Posts: 242
Joined: 08:30 pm Dec 02 2013
Country:
Location: Iowa

Reasonable cruise speed of e series KDX200?

Post by kx200 »

I run 15/45 for gearing and 60mph is a nice cruising speed. The power valve is still closed with that gearing. I have over 7300 miles with no problems. 50:1 oil and run a fat pilot jet. :pop:
thinairflyer
Supporting Member
Posts: 19
Joined: 07:00 pm Jul 19 2014
Country:

Re: Reasonable cruise speed of e series KDX200?

Post by thinairflyer »

Thanks KX200, your reply is what I was looking for. L D
bobm571
Member
Posts: 1
Joined: 11:00 am Oct 10 2013
Country:

Reasonable cruise speed of e series KDX200?

Post by bobm571 »

I drive mine to work all the time. went 1 tooth bigger on the front sprocket keeps it out of the power valve. If you go over 50 miles an hour you have to balance the wheels to much vibration if you don't. I just balanced mine with lead sinkers it takes a lot of weight to balance out the rim locks
thinairflyer
Supporting Member
Posts: 19
Joined: 07:00 pm Jul 19 2014
Country:

Re: Reasonable cruise speed of e series KDX200?

Post by thinairflyer »

Thanks bobm571, L D
Post Reply