Opinions & help please - 97/98 Kawasaki KLX300s

**RØKSTA** · 10th November 2009, 12:10

Hey guys, Looking at a couple Kawasaki KLX300's (also if anyone knows of any good ones for sale, let me know

)

They are 97's, anyone know of any problems with ones of that vintage? What to look out for? How to tell the diff between a older 97 and a newer one, as they seem to in that 97/98 time change slightly in looks (headlight) etc depending on their age.

Any other info you can tell me on them would be great. PLEASE!!!!

Also dont tell me anything about any other bikes, Im dead set on a 97/98 KLX300.

Cheers dudes

**RØKSTA** · 10th November 2009, 12:37

Anyone, please, feel free

**scott411** · 10th November 2009, 13:13

good bikes, the problems reported with teh 97 idler gear and hard starter are like most things very overstated, they are basically the same till 07 when they stopped producing them,

one of the best handling bikes every made, they batted above their power becasue of it, i love riding them, a few cheap easy mods make them go much better as well, don;t worry about getting a muffler for them, a header pipe from custom chambers works great and no more noise,

any questions give me a yell, i have a 07 one done 37 miles from new for sale, but it may be out of your price range,

Scott

**cave weta** · 10th November 2009, 13:18

Originally Posted by scott411

good bikes, the problems reported with teh 97 idler gear and hard starter are like most things very overstated, they are basically the same till 07 when they stopped producing them,

one of the best handling bikes every made, they batted above their power becasue of it, i love riding them, a few cheap easy mods make them go much better as well, don;t worry about getting a muffler for them, a header pipe from custom chambers works great and no more noise,

any questions give me a yell, i have a 07 one done 37 miles from new for sale, but it may be out of your price range,

Scott

I Love em! what Scott said x2- but yes a few kicks to make em go.

**RØKSTA** · 10th November 2009, 13:52

Thanks guys. I used to have a XR400 from 98 back in the day, but I found it too heavy for trails. So far ive heard the KLX 300 is WAY better for weight and handling, looks cooler (am an old Kawasaki kid from way back!) and pretty bullet proof really? Am I right?

So no obvious things to look out for, ie smoky or any rattles or anything?

**cave weta** · 10th November 2009, 14:18

Originally Posted by lion.red

Thanks guys. I used to have a XR400 from 98 back in the day, but I found it too heavy for trails. So far ive heard the KLX 300 is WAY better for weight and handling, looks cooler (am an old Kawasaki kid from way back!) and pretty bullet proof really? Am I right?

So no obvious things to look out for, ie smoky or any rattles or anything?

As Scott Says.. the kickstart idler gear can let go causing seriuos damage but on thumpertalk you will find a fix for that- from memory it is a thicker shim in the side case end to eliminate endfloat.

( this is where CS363 comes in and tells us the thickness and rockwell hardness number of that shim)

**scott411** · 10th November 2009, 14:48

yeah, thim shim needs to be checked, you need to make sure if has no slop, i would get it checked by someone who is used to dealing with them on waht ever year you buy for peace of mind,

**RØKSTA** · 10th November 2009, 17:26

Oh ok 'whompa' way over my head that tech talk!

How much would one expect to pay for a 97KLX300?

**RØKSTA** · 10th November 2009, 18:29

anyonezzz?

I have $2000 max to spend on a bike

**scott411** · 11th November 2009, 06:13

Originally Posted by lion.red

Oh ok 'whompa' way over my head that tech talk!

How much would one expect to pay for a 97KLX300?

a shitta would be about $600-$1000, a tidy one maybe $2500ish,

finding one might be the problem, if one comes up ill post it on here,

**RØKSTA** · 11th November 2009, 06:20

Ive found a couple Im looking at at the moment. A decent looking 'newer' 97 (with black seat style) for $1800

Then an older looking one for around the low 2's

Really keen on the 1800. Is that a ok price to pay?

**scott411** · 11th November 2009, 06:56

with out seeing it i can not be sure, you need to check the usuals like suspension bearings, head set bearings etc,

i do not think it is over the top tho,

**RØKSTA** · 11th November 2009, 07:22

Its just had all bushes & bearing replaced, its down the country abit off a farm, seems ok, hes prepared to take $1800 for it...? Im not after a 'new' bike I know it might have slight problems but does $1800 cash sort of sound about right?

**cave weta** · 11th November 2009, 11:37

Originally Posted by lion.red

Its just had all bushes & bearing replaced, its down the country abit off a farm, seems ok, hes prepared to take $1800 for it...? Im not after a 'new' bike I know it might have slight problems but does $1800 cash sort of sound about right?

How about my one for $1800- its done the Red Bull City Scramble!- as walked past by Chris Birch..