KDX 200 to KXF250

[clmintie]

Just thinking out loud, but it really is time I bought a new bike... Have any of you over 55 year olds made this switch and been happy with the 4t for trail riding?

[nzspokes]

Just thinking out loud, but it really is time I bought a new bike... Have any of you over 55 year olds made this switch and been happy with the 4t for trail riding?

Just fit some KX forks to the KDX and get the rear shock setup to your weight. Mine rocks.

[oldskool]

Just thinking out loud, but it really is time I bought a new bike... Have any of you over 55 year olds made this switch and been happy with the 4t for trail riding?

Midlife crisis Phil? Since the switch from the RMZ250 to the XCW200 I've never been happier! :yes:
I no longer fear the dreaded ticking timebomb, don't have to change gearbox oil as often and never have to top up the radiator. The lighter 2T is far easier to start and handles much better in the tight stuff.
Each to their own I guess, and you're a far more experienced rider than me, but my 2 cents worth anyway.

[paturoa]

Midlife crisis Phil? Since the switch from the RMZ250 to the XCW200 I've never been happier! :yes:
I no longer fear the dreaded ticking timebomb, don't have to change gearbox oil as often and never have to top up the radiator. The lighter 2T is far easier to start and handles much better in the tight stuff.
Each to their own I guess, and you're a far more experienced rider than me, but my 2 cents worth anyway.

Wow just checked the weights of the H model 200 and the KXF, they are almost the same. I was expecting the 4t to be a lot heavier.

[oldskool]

Wow just checked the weights of the H model 200 and the KXF, they are almost the same. I was expecting the 4t to be a lot heavier.

Okay fair enough, on paper, let's say the lighter 'feeling' 2 stroke, hard to explain until you've ridden both.

[scott411]

Just thinking out loud, but it really is time I bought a new bike... Have any of you over 55 year olds made this switch and been happy with the 4t for trail riding?

take one for a ride see if you like it, I am sure Brownie will find you one to ride, my old man still prefers his set up KDX200 over any other kawasaki dirt bike for trail riding,

I agree, a front end change does wonders for the KDX if you are having issues with it hitting ruts with the fork under hang, but springs and gold valves can get them set up well,

[clmintie]

Thanks for the replies guys.... Not unhappy with the KDX and won't be parting with it, just the hours are really starting to get up there. I'm getting too old and tired for the 125s (got two)... The '15 KXF 250 is such a sexy wee beastie, maybe just put one in the lounge to look at....

[ktm84mxc]

Phil just put the KDX motor in 1 of the KX 125 frames you've got the bikes .

[clmintie]

Done the KDX/KX thing before, makes an excellent Xcountry bike and back in the days of MX classes being under/over 200cc, was VERY cool... I have been thinking of getting a second hand KXF, running it till it wears out, then slotting in a KDX motor. However that doesn't give me the same thrill as buying a new bike and probably just looking at it in garage/lounge...

Any-one my age (57+) actually lived with a 250 4T (specifically the KXF) on the trails and LIKED it?


307563

[scott411]

Phil just put the KDX motor in 1 of the KX 125 frames you've got the bikes .

got a cousin that is doing that, will be a fun bike,

lots of poeple are doing conversions with 2 stroke motors in mid 2000's and up four stroke chassis, DRD did a article on a guy a few years that had used a 2007 RMZ250 with a KDX, and i have seen a 2004 KX250F chassis with one as well,

[scott411]

Thanks for the replies guys.... Not unhappy with the KDX and won't be parting with it, just the hours are really starting to get up there. I'm getting too old and tired for the 125s (got two)... The '15 KXF 250 is such a sexy wee beastie, maybe just put one in the lounge to look at....

or is it just withdrawels from being a few years since you brought a new bike???

[clmintie]

I think you may have hit the nail on the head there Scott.....

[scott411]

I think you may have hit the nail on the head there Scott.....

thought so, your lucky i am not still selling them, i would have had a demo round long before the first reply ;)

[Crisis management]

Any-one my age (57+) actually lived with a 250 4T (specifically the KXF) on the trails and LIKED it?


307563

Phil, I'm 59 and went from the 200EXC to a 450EXC a couple of years ago (different from what you are looking at) and generally am happy with it. I'm an average rider but usually get around the expert sections ok. I love the torque and pure lugability of the 4 stroke, don't like the weight, both the additional 10 kgs and the weight carried high up but have not missed the need to constantly "ride" the 200, the 450 is more relaxed and I can ride it faster than i could the 200. I did read a recent Birchy review of the post 2012 200exc and would actually consider that now as they have got ride of the top end hit and provided more mid range. Don't underestimate a modern 2 stroke and don't underestimate the maintenance needs of some of the 4 strokes, good luck!

[Reckless]

Love my 2hundy exc as well, suits me just fine for everything from Woodhill to trail rides :)
Had mine since 09 would love a new model (or a 3hundy as well??)

Any link to the Chris Birch review I'd love to read it :)

[Crisis management]

Any link to the Chris Birch review I'd love to read it :)

It was in the january Kiwi rider magazine, worth a look.

[Reckless]

It was in the january Kiwi rider magazine, worth a look.

Reading his facebook posts he stripped the thing right down dumped as much weight off as poss and went from there.

[Crisis management]

Reading his facebook posts he stripped the thing right down dumped as much weight off as poss and went from there.

You're right, lost the electric start and lights, fitted his forks and shock, I think he mentioned 3 or 4 kgs difference but the main comment I took from it was that he had not liked the previous 200 due to its high rev / power characteristics where he now found the better mid range really useful combined with the light weight and agility. Sounded good to me.

[mc4aregreat]

Don't waste your time on any 4 stroke that has no electric start at your age. TRUST ME.
One of my young fellas bought an used RMZ 250 and we had no end of starting troubles when out on the rides.
Ended up costing me heaps too. Remember how easy the KDX is to kick over, even with the Left Foot.
The E Button is the Bee's Knee's.

[scott411]

Don't waste your time on any 4 stroke that has no electric start at your age. TRUST ME.
One of my young fellas bought an used RMZ 250 and we had no end of starting troubles when out on the rides.
Ended up costing me heaps too. Remember how easy the KDX is to kick over, even with the Left Foot.
The E Button is the Bee's Knee's.

dont agree, i can start KX250F's with my hand, easier than i can start a KDX200, if the RMZ250 was that hard to start it had other issues, as they were never to bad to start, if it is a carb'd one you may be turning the throttle when you kick it,

if you go back to the early four stroke MX bikes, (Mostly YZF's) with manual decompressors and pumper carbs, you had to know the proceddure, the modern injected auto decomp ones are easy, (except for 08-09 CRF250's, for some reason they are a nightmare)

[takitimu]

dont agree, i can start KX250F's with my hand, easier than i can start a KDX200, if the RMZ250 was that hard to start it had other issues, as they were never to bad to start, if it is a carb'd one you may be turning the throttle when you kick it,

if you go back to the early four stroke MX bikes, (Mostly YZF's) with manual decompressors and pumper carbs, you had to know the proceddure, the modern injected auto decomp ones are easy, (except for 08-09 CRF250's, for some reason they are a nightmare)

I'll back scott up, two mates with kxf250's ( injected ) and they are great to start, in fact even late model yzf250's ( carby ) seem good. But the injected bikes are the best.

Get a KXF250 clmintie, no premix, no vibrations & easy to ride. I've been impressed with how much punishment the KXF250's will take actually & they don't cook in the bush either unlike every ktm I have seen ( without a fan ).

[thorns]

Agree with the above two. My 2012 KX450f was the easiest starting bike I have ever had. If you find TDC, was a easy one kick bike to start.

Not saying push button isn't great, but those fuel injected Kawis are impressive for starting.

[barty5]

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only $10300 nz extra $500us ill ship it home in july