A few questions
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A few questions
Hey all,
Newbie to the board as well as the sport in general. Just a few questions about kdx's and fork modding.
First, any year(s) of kdx that you wouldn't recommend? From what I've seen, most people seem to recommend 1995 or newer. Unfortunately, most of the ones I've seen for sale around here are older. Though they are pretty cheap, would it not be worth the trouble to own an older one? Harder to find parts? Should I just wait till a post '95 comes available?
Second, I've seen several people say that the kx 500 front end pretty much bolts right on to the kdx, making it a pretty easy and very worthwile suspension upgrade. Does this go for all years of kdx and kx? I see a lot of older kx 500 stuff on ebay, mostly mid to late 80's, not as much newer stuff. So would pretty much any kx 500 stuff bolt on to pretty much any kdx?
Thanks in advance!
Newbie to the board as well as the sport in general. Just a few questions about kdx's and fork modding.
First, any year(s) of kdx that you wouldn't recommend? From what I've seen, most people seem to recommend 1995 or newer. Unfortunately, most of the ones I've seen for sale around here are older. Though they are pretty cheap, would it not be worth the trouble to own an older one? Harder to find parts? Should I just wait till a post '95 comes available?
Second, I've seen several people say that the kx 500 front end pretty much bolts right on to the kdx, making it a pretty easy and very worthwile suspension upgrade. Does this go for all years of kdx and kx? I see a lot of older kx 500 stuff on ebay, mostly mid to late 80's, not as much newer stuff. So would pretty much any kx 500 stuff bolt on to pretty much any kdx?
Thanks in advance!
- SS109
- KDXRider.net
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The E series KDX's ('89-'94) are excellent bikes and some even consider them as having a better engine than the later H series ('95+). Whether that is true or not I don't know. What I do know is that they are very capable machines (ie; Jeff Fredette and the ISDE) and will handle just about anything you throw at them. Don't pass on a good E series KDX.
Forks, when everyone is talking KX500 forks they are normally talking about the '96 and up forks as they are much improved over the earlier models and are a direct bolt on. I run '96 KX125 forks on an '90 E series bike and really like this setup. It takes a little more work but is still easy to do. Check the "Fork Conversion" sub-forum here at KDXrider for more info on all the swaps.
Forks, when everyone is talking KX500 forks they are normally talking about the '96 and up forks as they are much improved over the earlier models and are a direct bolt on. I run '96 KX125 forks on an '90 E series bike and really like this setup. It takes a little more work but is still easy to do. Check the "Fork Conversion" sub-forum here at KDXrider for more info on all the swaps.
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
AZ State Parks & Trails OHV Ambassador - Trail Riders of Southern AZ
Current KDX: '98 KDX220
Old KDX: '90 KDX200 -White/Blue
'11 GasGas EC250R
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- Member
- Posts: 14
- Joined: 12:56 am Nov 02 2010
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- Location: Portland, OR
- SS109
- KDXRider.net
- Posts: 5770
- Joined: 05:11 am Aug 23 2009
- Country: USA
- Location: Tucson, AZ, USA
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Yes, they will swap (different years/models) if the fork diameter is the same as the forks. In other words, 46mm forks must be used with triples that originally had 46mm forks. It doesn't matter what year they are as long as the sizes match up.
Again, read the "Fork Conversion" section. There is a ton of info on all the different KX forks and triples and even info on fork swaps from other makes like YZ's and such.
Again, read the "Fork Conversion" section. There is a ton of info on all the different KX forks and triples and even info on fork swaps from other makes like YZ's and such.
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
AZ State Parks & Trails OHV Ambassador - Trail Riders of Southern AZ
Current KDX: '98 KDX220
Old KDX: '90 KDX200 -White/Blue
'11 GasGas EC250R
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Ok, switched over to the forks conversion forum to get some more clarity there.
Now, a little more on the older bikes...would you say that the E series, while a solid bike, is more difficult to mod and/or find parts for? Any other reason why it would be better all around to pay more for a newer bike? Seems like with as much modding as you can do to these, you can almost make an old bike into a new one...is that pretty much true?
Now, a little more on the older bikes...would you say that the E series, while a solid bike, is more difficult to mod and/or find parts for? Any other reason why it would be better all around to pay more for a newer bike? Seems like with as much modding as you can do to these, you can almost make an old bike into a new one...is that pretty much true?
- Indawoods
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The only real issues with an older bike is plastics and the eventual parts availability.
Truth be told ... I like a E series bike better than the H. The H ergos are a little more agressive but that doesn't mean much to me anymore. I like the E seat much better!
The E has more grunt stock... the Kips valves are a little bit weak but other than that... E's ROCK!
Truth be told ... I like a E series bike better than the H. The H ergos are a little more agressive but that doesn't mean much to me anymore. I like the E seat much better!
The E has more grunt stock... the Kips valves are a little bit weak but other than that... E's ROCK!
*** Administrator //***
****'95 KDX 200/****
"People ate cows a thousand years ago for the same reason we eat them now. Cause they are easy to catch.We're not savages,we're just lazy. A cheetah could taste like chocolate heroin. But will never know. Those bastards are fast!!! "
****'95 KDX 200/****
"People ate cows a thousand years ago for the same reason we eat them now. Cause they are easy to catch.We're not savages,we're just lazy. A cheetah could taste like chocolate heroin. But will never know. Those bastards are fast!!! "
- Julien D
- KDXRider.net
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Love my E bikes. I want to add an H bike to the stable at some point, but for now, my old 89 does everything I need and more. No trouble with mods. Some parts are getting hard to find. The kips valves are OOS in many places, but can still be found. Graphics are a big hangup, so if that's important to you....
Plastics and such are still available as of now.
Plastics and such are still available as of now.
- Indawoods
- Creator and Founder
- Posts: 9951
- Joined: 09:59 am Jun 12 2003
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- Location: Midwest
ronayers.com and bikebandit.com
*** Administrator //***
****'95 KDX 200/****
"People ate cows a thousand years ago for the same reason we eat them now. Cause they are easy to catch.We're not savages,we're just lazy. A cheetah could taste like chocolate heroin. But will never know. Those bastards are fast!!! "
****'95 KDX 200/****
"People ate cows a thousand years ago for the same reason we eat them now. Cause they are easy to catch.We're not savages,we're just lazy. A cheetah could taste like chocolate heroin. But will never know. Those bastards are fast!!! "