My KLX is the first off road bike I've had that I actually used off road (I commuted on a KLR for a while) and it has treated me great. But, after two seasons on it I'm considering moving on. The main reasons I'm looking to get off the KLX are the weight, and I really want to try a 2 stroke. I'd be quite happy with a European bike, but it's hard to justify spending the extra $$$ when a KDX will do.

What about suspension? It seems to be the weakest point of the KLX. Is a KDX going to be much better?

Anyone feel like talking me into/out of this???

 

Easier to work on and greater power to weight ratio. What's not to like?
I've been thinking the same thing. Love the KLX, but like you said it's heavy, at least compared to a 2 stroke.
I've decided to get the first 125-300cc 2T I find under $1500 that runs well and looks OK, no matter the brand.
Does it have to be a KDX? Seems like you found one already(since you list a model year). KTM 200 & 300's show up all the time for a reasonable price, and have a really nice suspension and don't require the same maintenance the 4T KTM's need.
But a KDX might have already been set up nicely.
I can plate one here in NH, which really helps to go from trail to trail, making them more practical.
I say go for it and try it out, especially if you can keep the KLX until you are sure.

 

The KDX 200/220 may have been one of the best 2-stroke "trail" bikes ever made...especially when considering bang-for-the-buck. Still, comparing a KLX to a KDX is a bit of apples-to-oranges. The KDX is a real off road bike and is pretty decent as a competition enduro bike. The KLX is a real DS bike that can be ridden on some pretty gnarly off road stuff. One does not really fill the need for the other IMO.

I've owned a KDX, and it really sucks when you try to ride some mileage on pavement. Some of us complain a little about out KLX as a pavement bike, but it's much better than the KDX. The KDX shines in the dirt, and the tighter the terrain, the better. If you've decided that you're going to ride pretty much dirt only, the KDX will be great. I say this in many discussions like this...this is the reason to have more than one bike.

The KTM 200 and 300 are both great bikes, but you can find some amazingly low mileage, low use KDX's out there in the 1000-1500 range. I came across an '05 KDX200 earlier this year with the original tires on it for $1400. I didn't even need/want one at the time but still nearly bought it because of my respect for these models.

 

Nope, doesn't need to be a KDX. I'm 100% free of brand loyalty. I don't owe any of the manufacturers anything. But, you're right, I found one I'm interested in. The thing with KTMs is, I'm in New Brunswick and there doesn't seem to be such thing as a reasonably priced 2 stroke KTM anywhere near me.
If I buy now, I won't sell the KLX until spring. I'm willing to sit on it until prices go back up.


I rarely go any distance on pavement with my KLX, and I won't be anywhere near pavement on my next bike. You're right, one bike couldn't possibly be enough. I have a GSX-R and a '69 Tiger that I haven't ridden the last couple years (because of the KLX). That's another reason to get a true off road bike, to justify insuring another on road bike... or two.

 

I raced competetivly on a KDX 200 way back in the 90,s at national enduro level. It was a great bike then and I can only imagine what a 05 220 will be like. As an offroader the 95 KDX 200 is way better than my 2010 KLX. So much so that I turned mine into a SUMO to use on mountain pavement only.

 

I had a KDX220 built like a brick sh++house. Carb work, head work, etc.

I only put it on the roads to get to the trails. It did fine in that role. Oddly, the ergos on that bike were great for sitting down - very comfy dirtbike.

The weakness is the forks which are even worse than our KLX forks. I replaced them with KX forks and all was well.

Have you thought of ditching the 250S for a 300R? Not a 2T, but it's a lot lighter (30 pounds) and has 5 more horsies. Easy to DS for the road.

The KTM EXC series (2T version) has a wider gear ratio than most dirtbikes. If anyone tries to tell you they're unreliable just laugh in their face. They're stone axe reliable.

Good luck.

 

Hm, I didn't realize the 300 was that much lighter (subframe?). It would have to be a really cheap 300 though, because I'd definitely prefer a 2 stroke.

 

Took the plunge, tonight. Can't wait to see what this thing is like on some single track.

 

That's a clean looking KDX. At least from the pics, I don't see the wear and scuff marks you should see on a used bike of that age. You "should" really enjoy that bike. Someone mentioned that the fork on the KDX is worse than the KLX fork. I've never found that to be the case on any of the ones I've ridden. This has been a popular bike over the years at our club's riding area, so I've gotten to ride a few since I owned one some years ago. In fact I always felt that it was one of the better damped conventional forks out there and puts the OEM KLX fork to shame in the damping department. Maybe a little soft in the spring rate. It's a good cartridge fork, and I think many just poo-poo it because it's not a modern looking USD fork.

 

If not for the stock forks - that looks exactly like the bike I sold to a young man from NB 3 years ago. Graphics, handguards, exhaust, super clean frame, seat, etc.

By any chance did you pick that up in Fredericton?

Great looking KDX.

TNC - I'm one of those guys that prefers the feel of conventional forks as well. The valving is fine on the KDX, but even with the heavier rated Fredette springs, I still couldnt keep it from bottoming on the big rock hits here in Maine. Also, the precipitous underhang on the KDX forks makes them seriously dangerous in gnarly rocky stuff. I actually had the bike stop dead (from 15 mph), toss me and then try to land on my head because of that underhang. I was lucky to walk away that day. If I were riding desert or midwest trails (and weighed 170) I think the KDX forks would be great. Here in Maine - not so much. A switch to 46mm KYBs ended all that nonsense and I could blast rocks with abandon.