'91 KDX250 or '92 KTM300exc for buddy?

firffighter · Post by **firffighter** » 10:55 pm Oct 18 2008

I've got a good friend who is a good woods rider, but has very little dough.

He currently borrows my dad's old XR250 when we ride, but he has saved up $1000 for a bike.

He is a bigger dude at 6'1 and 225 lbs., but is a very good rider (grew up doing poker runs and enduros in Oregon). He wants a 2-stroke woods oriented bike with good grunt.

I found him 2 very clean bikes that both run great.

One is the '91 KDX250 that has a FMF pipe/silencer and is very clean.

The other is a '92 KTM300exc that has been completely gone through (new topend, clutch, brakes, bearings, seals, etc.) and is also very clean.

I know both are a little tough to get aftermarket parts for, but I checked and you can still get most OEM stuff no problem.

I know the KDX250's were known to be very good motors, but heavy and very bad handling.

The KTM's of that ere were good bikes as well and probably had better handling traits.

Honest opinions?

vaderoni · Post by **vaderoni** » 11:29 pm Oct 18 2008

Links to the ads would be great if they are on the internets. I, personally, don't have a good opinion since ive never ridden any of these; but im sure a link or two would help others in their decision.

radonc73 · Post by **radonc73** » 08:20 am Oct 19 2008

The 250 is heavy and undersuspended in stock form. I put new springs in mine that needed to be cut down to size and the white inserts needed to be shaved. It is like a 4-stroke in power pulls strong from the bottom end and when it hits the powerband it is great.
As long as you suspend the front end he will be happy.

firffighter · Post by **firffighter** » 01:13 pm Oct 19 2008

How do they handle? How much heavier are they than the 200/220's?

I've heard they really are slow steering bikes.

radonc73 · Post by **radonc73** » 01:20 pm Oct 19 2008

I don't ride as much as alot of guys on here but I am just used to it steering slowly. I ride mostly 1-3rd gear where I don't have to bend it around many trees or I just slowdown to do it.
I would say it is around 225- 240lbs. Much heavier than an MX bike for sure, it is a pig. Think more clydsdale than racehorse.

firffighter · Post by **firffighter** » 07:51 pm Oct 19 2008

Well I just found him a very nice '92 KDX200 with port and polish by Fredette, ProCircuit pipe/silencer. Should get the job done even for a big guy dont you think?

Owner is asking $1200, but I bet we can get it for $1000 cash.

Post by **Rick** » 08:55 pm Oct 19 2008

This bike (91 250) has great power. All around great power. It can lug like a tractor, or fly like a KX! But, like Tom stated, it is heavy......top heavy. It can manage well in the woods.......I love mine....but I often wonder how much faster I could be on a lighter bike. Pretty sure it would be a lot faster. If he is a good rider, and can handle the weight and power, it is a great intermediate starter bike? Like stated by Tom, it is well undersuspended, but that can be worked on. I've got 2000 KX forks on mine, and it was a big improvement. I have never rode a KTM . so I cant give a comparison, but the KDX 250 was a good bike, imo....Just heavy, and lacking modern suspension. I can still hang with most in the woods though.........

firffighter · Post by **firffighter** » 11:42 pm Oct 19 2008

How much heavier is the 250 compared to the 200's?

Are the forks any worse than the stock 200's?

He is a big strong dude so he could probably handle the weight, but we ride a lot of very tight terrain.

80elkster · Post by **80elkster** » 01:55 pm Oct 20 2008

I'm a heavy dude 250lbs and have a 93 kdx200 that has the factory USD forks and I'm very happy with the power and love the low speed handling. Over time I have put stiffer springs in the forks and on the shock as well as adding Gold Valves to the forks. I have also added the RB carb and Pro Circuit Pipe with power reeds and so on. It has more than enough power for my largeness and is a blast to ride in the tight twisties. Oh yeah and it is much nicer on my tushy than my 300 exc was.
If you can find a 200 go for it. Lot's of used parts and upgrades to be had when they can be afforded.

firffighter · Post by **firffighter** » 03:58 pm Oct 20 2008

I just got him convinced that the 200 would be just fine. Then, I found a nice RMX250 for $600. Now I gotta throw that into the mix.

kawagumby · Post by **kawagumby** » 04:10 pm Oct 20 2008

Nice RMX250 for $600? DANG!

If it were here, I'd buy it and hide it in the back shed where my wife couldn't find it...she could tell a yellow bike was not in the stable previously....
RMX's can be made to flat boogie!!

dejovi22 · Post by **dejovi22** » 10:57 pm Oct 20 2008

firffighter,

The RMX is the clear choice here. It has be best suspension, handling and engine combination...the $600 makes the whole thing even better.

The KDX 250 is not up to the level of the RMX or the KTM, will require work and money to make it go fast.

The KTM 300's are good bikes but back in '92 KTM's did not have the quality and reliability that they have now.

Stick with the RMX on this one... it was the best enduro bike of the 90's and it is still a cool bike.

firffighter · Post by **firffighter** » 12:52 pm Oct 21 2008

Well, we went out and looked at the KDX200 and it is a little ripper. I forgot how good those "E" series motors were. With the Fredette mods, it really goes.

So, we talked him down to $1000 with some gear and tie downs thrown in. My buddy was very pleased and he felt the bike had plenty of get up and go to haul him around and we felt that it was probably the most reliable of the bunch and I will be able to help him with wrenching and setup.

Now, I think I might go out and try to pick up that RMX for myself! It would make a very fun winter project.

vaderoni · Post by **vaderoni** » 01:01 pm Oct 21 2008

RMX's are street legal right?

And congrats on the KDX!

canyncarvr · Post by **canyncarvr** » 01:14 pm Oct 21 2008

Well, we went out and looked at the KDX200 and it is a little ripper. I forgot how good those "E" series motors were.

Wibby's not a small guy. A good lot bigger'n your buddy. He rides an 'E' 200. The bottom-end response on his bike is, frankly, amazing.

At the top, you said: 'He wants a 2-stroke woods oriented bike with good grunt.'

The 200 'E' fits that spec to a 'T'.

A re-spring would be a BIG benefit @ 225#!

Post by **Indawoods** » 02:13 pm Oct 21 2008

I love the "E" motor....

Post by **fuzzy** » 02:26 pm Oct 21 2008

RMX's are street legal right?

No more than the KDX.

firffighter · Post by **firffighter** » 03:04 pm Oct 21 2008

Wow! there are deals everywhere right now. Economy, impending winter, not sure what it is, but deals are there to be had for sure.

The guy sent me a picture of the RMX and it is a little rough around the edges, but all there and runs great. Top end was done 2 years ago and it has 3 rides on it since. Decisions, decisions.....

Think my wife would notice a yellow bike next to all of the Hondas and my KDX?

Post by **Indawoods** » 03:45 pm Oct 21 2008

Not if you sprayed a little yellow on you and the shed... and left the can out there...

Post by **fuzzy** » 04:59 pm Oct 21 2008

What yr RMX is it by chance?

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'91 KDX250 or '92 KTM300exc for buddy?

'91 KDX250 or '92 KTM300exc for buddy?