2006 KLX250S vs 2005 KDX220R
#11
09-13-2013 | 04:05 PM
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From: Abilene, TX
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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.
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.
#13
09-13-2013 | 05:37 PM
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From: SW Idaho
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Funny...I've been thinking the same and watching CL for a year now. Have heard many good things about them and am getting worn out from riding the KLX on nasty-**** trails when my buddies are riding real, lighter dirt bikes.
#14
09-13-2013 | 06:36 PM
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From: SW Ontario, Canada
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I had a KDX 220 for a couple of years, and sold it at the end of last season to buy my Husqvarna CR150. The KDX is a good trail bike. I was using it for hare scrambles, and although it was good in the woods, it got heavy pretty fast after an hour of going hard. I did a KLX300 fork swap on mine. It was pretty much a bolt on affair, and fixed both the underhang, and spring rate at the same time. I have been told the internals are practically identical as the stock ones. They worked fine for me.
#15
09-13-2013 | 06:39 PM
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The difference between the 200 and 220 aren't as simple as the 220 having more power. In stock form, the 200 has more power than the 220. But it's more mid and topend. The 220 is built for bottom end. Kawi even went to a smaller carb on the 220 to bias the power downward in the rpms.
When you start building it's a different matter. The 220 can and will give you more after spending the $$$.
They're both great bikes. Even the 220 won't lug like a KLX, but it's way better at it than any other 2T with the possible exception of the KTM 300EXC. My built 220 was a monster - wheelies on command. Very comfy ergos - best I've ever seen on a dirtbike.
As much as I liked it - in the end, I didn't like having to mix gas. and carry it with me. Still miss that little bugger - a topend might have taken an hour complete. Want the head off - 6 nuts and it's off. Parts-a-plenty. Check out Ron Black for the power upgrades.
Hard bike to go wrong with. Bought it for $800 and sold for $1800 IIRC.
Good luck - you'll enjoy it.
When you start building it's a different matter. The 220 can and will give you more after spending the $$$.
They're both great bikes. Even the 220 won't lug like a KLX, but it's way better at it than any other 2T with the possible exception of the KTM 300EXC. My built 220 was a monster - wheelies on command. Very comfy ergos - best I've ever seen on a dirtbike.
As much as I liked it - in the end, I didn't like having to mix gas. and carry it with me. Still miss that little bugger - a topend might have taken an hour complete. Want the head off - 6 nuts and it's off. Parts-a-plenty. Check out Ron Black for the power upgrades.
Hard bike to go wrong with. Bought it for $800 and sold for $1800 IIRC.
Good luck - you'll enjoy it.
#16
09-13-2013 | 11:27 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 139
From: NB, Canada
It's a 220.
Funny story on where this bike came from... A girl from Campobello Island imported it from Maine, earlier this year. She had been looking for a Yamaha XT 225 to buy as her first bike (good choice), so she figured a 220 would be about the same (poor choice). She soon decided she would like to have a side-by-side, instead. The guy that bought it from her travels with KLRs, DRZ400s and DR650s. So it isn't the bike for him, either. Now, we'll see if it's the bike for me.
I can't imagine it feeling heavy after riding the KLX, but I guess I'll find out. I have 9 days to learn how to ride a 2 stroke, before I attempt a harescramble on it (only my second one ever 
)
)
#17
09-14-2013 | 03:07 AM
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From: Abilene, TX
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I had a KDX 220 for a couple of years, and sold it at the end of last season to buy my Husqvarna CR150. The KDX is a good trail bike. I was using it for hare scrambles, and although it was good in the woods, it got heavy pretty fast after an hour of going hard. I did a KLX300 fork swap on mine. It was pretty much a bolt on affair, and fixed both the underhang, and spring rate at the same time. I have been told the internals are practically identical as the stock ones. They worked fine for me.
On the KDX200 feeling heavy, if you're comparing it to the feel of one of those Husky 150's, I'd agree...LOL!
#18
09-14-2013 | 05:13 AM
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From: SW Ontario, Canada
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The 300 fork is the same as a KLX250 fork. It's inverted, but from what I've read, internally they are the same (as the KDX). I don't know for sure if that's true, but the fork swap did make difference.
I liked the KDX, especially the motor, and with gearing I could either get around the motocross track with it fairly well, or the hare scramble course fairly well. That was the problem. It wasn't REALLY good anywhere. That's why I say it's a great trail bike. For people that want that, it's the perfect bike. I had a lot of fun on mine, but although it was a great bike in a lot of ways, it was quite dated as a competition bike when they stopped building it, and that was almost 10 years ago.
I liked the KDX, especially the motor, and with gearing I could either get around the motocross track with it fairly well, or the hare scramble course fairly well. That was the problem. It wasn't REALLY good anywhere. That's why I say it's a great trail bike. For people that want that, it's the perfect bike. I had a lot of fun on mine, but although it was a great bike in a lot of ways, it was quite dated as a competition bike when they stopped building it, and that was almost 10 years ago.
#19
09-14-2013 | 03:13 PM
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From: Abilene, TX
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What do you mean, "10 years ago"? Why, it was just the other day I saw a new one for sale on the floor of my local shop, and that was...let's see...that was only...uhhh...7 years ago. Yikes!...time flies when you're having fun.
I haven't seen one of those newer Husky 150's, but a couple of my state enduro circuit buds are riding that KTM150 which is in the same vein. That's a killer, small bore, enduro machine. They love them.
I haven't seen one of those newer Husky 150's, but a couple of my state enduro circuit buds are riding that KTM150 which is in the same vein. That's a killer, small bore, enduro machine. They love them.
