220 Top end

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KurtisHogue
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220 Top end

Post by KurtisHogue »

Okay I have an 03 220, it's got a fmf gnarly desert on it, plus a powercore 2 silencer. I've been reading a lot that the 220 isn't great for top end speed. I think I might try and gear up some to see what that does to it, but I was wondering what everyone suggests I do to get more top end out of my bike, without having to do any head or port work. Also curious to know if a kdx 200 carb would be a good replacement for the stock 220 carb.
-- The lower the latitude, the better the attitude -- :partyman:
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kx200
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220 Top end

Post by kx200 »

A bigger carb will help what does it have for gearing now? What type of racing/riding are you doing?
KurtisHogue
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Re: 220 Top end

Post by KurtisHogue »

Well usually I'm in the trails, but I'd like to branch out and do some GP races which I'm not sure if my bike would race well in. I believe I have a 48 in the back and the front is 13.
-- The lower the latitude, the better the attitude -- :partyman:
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fuzzy
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Re: 220 Top end

Post by fuzzy »

The 200 (35mm) carb on the 220 (33mm) is very common.
'91 KDX 200 Project $300 KDX
'95 KDX 200 Project $600 KDX
'94 WR 250 Always a project
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Re: 220 Top end

Post by doctord23 »

Here is what I do to all of my 220's with excellent results:
1. Send head to Ron Black - you will not regret it and will have it back in a week.
2. FMF desert pipe
3. Carb off of a 200 or have yours modified by Ron (even better)
4. Reed upgrade - vforce 3, rad valve or boyessen - all work fine

You will see a huge difference in both low end and actually have a powerband kick in when the kips valves open
I should mention to make sure that your kips is clean and working properly.
My Team Green:
2002 KX-KDX 220
2000 KDX 220
2003 KLX 300 DS
1988 White KDX 200C3
1984 KX500 (original owner)
1996 Honda Magna V4
2017 Honda Africa Twin DCT
KurtisHogue
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Re: 220 Top end

Post by KurtisHogue »

Is it better to have the 200 carb or have RB work his magic? Also does anyone have a clue what the stock reed looks like? I don't think mine is stock. I'm not sure. I did just recently redo my top end and clean the kips valves.
-- The lower the latitude, the better the attitude -- :partyman:
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Julien D
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Re: 220 Top end

Post by Julien D »

Having RB work your current carb and head over would be the better option. When you redid the top end, did you go with a forged piston? The stock 220 piston is a known weak point.
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KurtisHogue
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Re: 220 Top end

Post by KurtisHogue »

Yeah wisco forged piston. So it wouldn't be worth the time to get the 200 carb? Why is RB's work better than let's say Jeff Fredette? Is there any particular reason?
-- The lower the latitude, the better the attitude -- :partyman:
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doctord23
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Re: 220 Top end

Post by doctord23 »

KurtisHogue wrote:Is it better to have the 200 carb or have RB work his magic? Also does anyone have a clue what the stock reed looks like? I don't think mine is stock. I'm not sure. I did just recently redo my top end and clean the kips valves.
The stock reeds are a single petal each side and will have curved metal stops.
Boyessen are dual (2-stage) pedals on each side. They can be carbon fiber or fiberglass.

+1 on the modified carb. He will add the divider plate to the front bore that helps low end.
My Team Green:
2002 KX-KDX 220
2000 KDX 220
2003 KLX 300 DS
1988 White KDX 200C3
1984 KX500 (original owner)
1996 Honda Magna V4
2017 Honda Africa Twin DCT
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Re: 220 Top end

Post by KurtisHogue »

The Reed cage I pulled out had 3 single flaps on each side with curved metal stops I believe. I think I will do the modified carb. I really want more top end so I can shut my friends up, particularly the one with the 125. And just because I'd like to see a little more top end out of my bike.
-- The lower the latitude, the better the attitude -- :partyman:
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6 Riders
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Re: 220 Top end

Post by 6 Riders »

KurtisHogue wrote:The Reed cage I pulled out had 3 single flaps on each side with curved metal stops I believe. I think I will do the modified carb. I really want more top end so I can shut my friends up, particularly the one with the 125. And just because I'd like to see a little more top end out of my bike.
Sounds like a Boyesen reed cage, is the rubber boot to the carb spate from the outer part of the reed cage?
newbbewb wrote:^what he said.
masterblaster wrote:Man 6 riders you rock.
*side note...I'm drunk, so try to read what I'm trying to say, instead of what I actually type
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doctord23
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Re: 220 Top end

Post by doctord23 »

6 Riders wrote:
KurtisHogue wrote:The Reed cage I pulled out had 3 single flaps on each side with curved metal stops I believe. I think I will do the modified carb. I really want more top end so I can shut my friends up, particularly the one with the 125. And just because I'd like to see a little more top end out of my bike.
Sounds like a Boyesen reed cage, is the rubber boot to the carb spate from the outer part of the reed cage?
If it looks like this:
Image
then it is stock.

Do the head mod. The head mod is the best performance money you will spend on a 220.
My Team Green:
2002 KX-KDX 220
2000 KDX 220
2003 KLX 300 DS
1988 White KDX 200C3
1984 KX500 (original owner)
1996 Honda Magna V4
2017 Honda Africa Twin DCT
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6 Riders
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Re: 220 Top end

Post by 6 Riders »

Ah DR, you are right, the Boyseen has 2 large petals on each side.
newbbewb wrote:^what he said.
masterblaster wrote:Man 6 riders you rock.
*side note...I'm drunk, so try to read what I'm trying to say, instead of what I actually type
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220 Top end

Post by canamfan »

The best way I know to get more speed is to twist that grip on the right side handlebar. :lol:
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Re: 220 Top end

Post by KurtisHogue »

canamfan wrote:The best way I know to get more speed is to twist that grip on the right side handlebar. [emoji38]
Haha I now right?! Okay so I have a stock reed, I think I'll get the head modified and get a different Reed cage! I just want to have a lot more top end with the bike I have.
-- The lower the latitude, the better the attitude -- :partyman:
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Re: 220 Top end

Post by KDXohio »

Boyesen Reeds are great reeds
1990 KDX200 FMF Fatty, Answer VFC silencer, VForce 3 Cage, Wiseco Piston, KX125-J series KYB USD fork conversion, Race tech goldvalves, J series front brake assembly, air-box snorkel removed, Acerbis Headlight, KX450F Front fender, Pro Taper RM bend bars, ASV front Brake lever, MSR Clutch perch and lever, RB Head mod, 36mm PWK carb, Trail Tech Kickstand.
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doctord23
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Re: 220 Top end

Post by doctord23 »

KurtisHogue wrote:
canamfan wrote:The best way I know to get more speed is to twist that grip on the right side handlebar. [emoji38]
Haha I now right?! Okay so I have a stock reed, I think I'll get the head modified and get a different Reed cage! I just want to have a lot more top end with the bike I have.
The Boyesen reeds use the stock cage and just replace the fiber reeds and stops.
To get the top end revs, you need the bigger carb too. Either a mod of the 33mm from the stock 220 or find a 35mm from a 200. There are also new options.
On one of my hybrid bikes, I run the 36mm Keihin from the donor 2001 KX125. It runs good, but I think I get more top end from the KDX 200 carbs. A 1999 or older KX125 carb is better because they don't have the extra electronics that the later ones have. I once tried a Mikuni TM36 from a newer KX and the bike was a low end beast but the top end suffered.
My Team Green:
2002 KX-KDX 220
2000 KDX 220
2003 KLX 300 DS
1988 White KDX 200C3
1984 KX500 (original owner)
1996 Honda Magna V4
2017 Honda Africa Twin DCT
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220 Top end

Post by canamfan »

jetsrus has brand new pwk 35 for $180 and pwk airstriker for $190
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220 Top end

Post by cornishwrecker220 »

The 220 is tuned for low to mid range power & torque...there are a few mods you can do to shift the power delivery to give it a longer power band , FMF pipe, porting the motor & modding the head will wake the bike up, fitting a 35mm carb also works very well as does installing a 36mm kx 125 carb ( 1990 ) ... A boyesen rad valve is also recommend, all these mods will improve what you already have & if you adjust the timing to suit then you can raise the top end RPM 1000/1500 which will give you a slight advantage before the RPMS fall flat....you should also find that you would not have lost any of the bottom end pull that 220s are famous for....I have had the above done to my 220 with good results.. :grin:
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Re: 220 Top end

Post by kdx633 »

Find a nice uphill run and challenge your 125 buddy to a race to the top.He will shut up after that.
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