KDXRIDER.NET

Hi everyone!

I added another kdx to the stable today. I picked up a 2001 KDX220 for 1800 bucks. Completely stock except for a full FMF Gnarly pipe/silencer system.

Original top end, bike doesnt have too many miles, i bought it from the original owner and he is on the original front tire and 2nd back tire. Bike is fairly clean, stock bars/brush guards, original pads front and rear...

Only thing i'm worried about is the piston, bike is strong, great compression, probably less then 1500 miles. Will i know if the piston is going to grenade?

uh... no.

Indawoods wrote:uh... no.

That's no good. There's no tell tale signs? CMON, give me something here!

Nothing... you just need to give it a topend with a Wiseco piston and call it good.

Great. Stupid kdx220's!

No warning signs, just explosion huh? Good job kawi

Congrats! Saw you talkin about it on TT. Guess the old XR ain't seein much trail time after bein replace by the green machine

Casting flaws... when they go...they just go.

2001kdx wrote:Congrats! Saw you talkin about it on TT. Guess the old XR ain't seein much trail time after bein replace by the green machine

Actually no, it's seen just about = time but, it's not being ridden by me! i enjoy the kdx sooo much more. :)

Indawoods wrote:Casting flaws... when they go...they just go.

and a simple 95 dollar wiseco piston kit fixes that up?

Yup!

Cleoent,
I've replaced just-a-one piston in a 220. Probably used for 6 years, ridden on and off. (as it is with most dirt bikes, I suspect) The bike is a '99 and I believe it to be the original.

Wiseco got the nod for the new one.

Anyway, piston hadn't failed in any way, but the lack of quality in the original piston casting was OBVIOUS, even to me. Just plain ugly, it was, with great inconsistencies in thickness all over the place and other flaws that resembled cracks....but were apparently not. These just may focus/concentrate stress levels within the casting?

Anyway, after all the 220-hype and havin' a look for myself, don't think you'd be wasting too much money by investing in a better quality piston.

NOTE: Some folks feel that you have to be careful to *fully* warm the engine in order to avoid seizing with the Wiseco.

That just takes a bit of patience....get that bike running before everyone else and you'll be ready to go when they are!

Good price, so put a few bucks into the piston and relax.

I somtimes wondered about all the urgency expressed here.....thinkin *someone* must own lots of Wiseco stock !

But now I think they just passin on some pretty good info, given the cost of a grenadin' failure.

Good Luck with that torquie 'ol beast!

Thanks GS for that post, appreciate it!

Looks like i'll be doing two top ends... grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat!

Sorry I'm not wordy like GS... plus I don't own a 220 either. Just trying to make sure you have a long relationship with your 220....

Indawoods wrote:Sorry I'm not wordy like GS... plus I don't own a 220 either. Just trying to make sure you have a long relationship with your 220....

It's ok, afterall you do have a bunny with a pancake on its head in your sig.

wow, got a chance to drive it for real this afternoon up and down the street, there really is NO top end huh? Gnarly pipe/silencer combo probably doesn't help, all the power is down low, and there really is quite a bit, should be perfect for what i need, but perhaps i'll end up switching the gnarly for a rev pipe...

Suspension seems to be better then the 90, that's a welcomed improvement!

Sorry.....'ol 'wordy' repents.

You're right about the lack of top end.

Tons on the bottom...so shift earlier and try lugging it on a hill....it WON'T quit for nuthin

You MUST changes the Kawasaki piston for a WISECO if you own a 220r.

Check my kawa piston....



I'm a lucky guy...

NOW, it's ALWAYS WISECO. Never put a Kawa or ride a Kawa anymore.

What do yo think about this theory?

The problem is not the OEM kawi piston. The problem is the cylinder plating.

The plating is not very good and wear fast ,so the OEM piston becomes loose in the cylinder and crack.

A wiseco piston is harder and more strong (forged) so the piston will not grenade and will be able to last longer before explose.

My 2 cents

I don't buy it... no 220 owner has ever said that the plating was thin...

its a shame kawi never acknowledged the problem, pretty big strike in their general direction.

but i'm going to order the kit very soon.

How long does it take to swap it out?