XR, TT, KDX Questions

[Foth]

Hey guys,

I've been away from motorbike riding for quite a long time now, but lately I've been thinking about getting back into it.
In the past I owned an XR 200 which I raced in enduros as well as using on the road, and I was hoping to get something similar - maybe an XR or TT 250, or a KDX 200, but I recently read that apart from the KDX, they've been discontinued (I think replaced by CRF's and TTR's?).
I'd still really like to get an XR because I know they were great bikes and super reliable, but I'm a little bit worried about the availability of parts and things - just in case I break down.
I was wondering if someone could please give me some advice about which way to go?
Are the CRF and TTR motors completely different?
I think that I remember hearing that KDX's have been pretty much the same since 1992 or so, is that true?
Thank you very much for any heap you can give me, I really appreciate it!!

P.S, My budget probably won't let me spend much more than $2500.00 for a second hand bike.

[tnarg]

I would go for the kdx and here's one around your budget.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...060884.htm?p=5

[Foth]

Thanks very much for your reply and for posting the link for me Tnarg, I really appreciate it!
That looks like a great bike, and in really nice condition too!

[clint640]

Yep XR250Rs have been replaced by the CRF250, which is faster, lighter & much more maintenance intensive. Some CRFs are XR based, like the CRF230 which is just a slightly updated XR200. I don't think they'll run out of XR250 parts anytime soon though, the basic spec 'Tornado' versions are still being made in Brazil. 97-on XR250s are the best ones I've been told.

The Yam TT-R250 & Suz DRZ250 are still available & are a basic air cooled trailbike in the same mould as the ol XR.

Dunno about what changes have been made to the KDX through the years, but I rode an 04 (IIRC) a while back & it was a great little machine. Light & easy to ride with very friendly & usable power. The last of the new ones have only just left the dealer floors so parts availability won't be an issue for a good while yet. I'd take one over an XR250 for the average Kiwi trail ride for sure, but I'm not sure if they can be made road legal easily & you wouldn't want to do many k's on the road on one anyway.

Cheers
Clint

[zeRax]

is this for dual purpose?? or just off road ;\?

[dammad1]

I would go for the kdx and here's one around your budget.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...060884.htm?p=5

Thats a friend of mine and it has done very little hours since he has had it and he has been very easy on it as he is only a beginner, go have a look at it.

[Rupe]

I think that I remember hearing that KDX's have been pretty much the same since 1992 or so, is that true?

Apart from a few little cosmetic ones, they haven't changed since 1995. And pre 95 they apparently aren't ment to handle too good. Pretty sure thats correct anyway, someone speak up if I'm talking shit. Good luck.

[mattwood]

get anything green and you'll be right!

[FROSTY:Me]

The kdx's have gone from air cooled to water cooled.
Unless ya plan to race the bike to buy is the KDX220
Suspension is out of the factory too soft at the front and too hard at the back. Good news is that on KB we have a fantastic KDX suspension specialist

[CRF119]

Depend what you want to do and how fast you are wanting go. New bikes have far better suspension but parts cost more and they need to be replaced more often. We have a farm hack XR200 that a mates dad brougth from new in 1991 and it has had 2 pistons 1 selector and alot of rear tyres but still starts first time every time is never maintained and i still like to jump off the new 450 and get on it and thrash it and i mean really thrash it. All my mates do and so does the owner. Basicly ive never seen a bike take punishment like a XR the engines are bullet proof, and they hold there value.

[oldguy]

The Suzuki DR350 is worth a look, cheap, reliable, parts still available, and can be reg for the road,
Oh and did I say reliable, and I ride one

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...tm?key=1221056

[Dutchee]

Hey guys,

I've been away from motorbike riding for quite a long time now, but lately I've been thinking about getting back into it.
In the past I owned an XR 200 which I raced in enduros as well as using on the road, and I was hoping to get something similar - maybe an XR or TT 250, or a KDX 200, but I recently read that apart from the KDX, they've been discontinued (I think replaced by CRF's and TTR's?).
I'd still really like to get an XR because I know they were great bikes and super reliable, but I'm a little bit worried about the availability of parts and things - just in case I break down.
I was wondering if someone could please give me some advice about which way to go?
Are the CRF and TTR motors completely different?
I think that I remember hearing that KDX's have been pretty much the same since 1992 or so, is that true?
Thank you very much for any heap you can give me, I really appreciate it!!

P.S, My budget probably won't let me spend much more than $2500.00 for a second hand bike.

Ummm, I hate to break it to you, but . . .
The XR200 has been replaced by the CRF230 (note that the CRF250 is a different beast, and is a race bike)
The TT has been replaced by the TTR
The DR has been replaced by the DR-Z
The KDX has been replaced by the dinosaur. Oops, sorry, wrong bike. The KDX has not been replaced, it has been discontinued. It's the same bike from 95-96 onwards (96 they used stiffer clutch springs). Around 2002-2003 (sorry, forgotten which year), they did change. They got a black tank and the frame was a different colour too. Otherwise it was BNG all the way, baby.

If you're wanting an old school bike, go for any of the above (replacements aren't very high-tech either, which means they're not like modern four strokes, which are more like the high-maintenance 2 strokes but worsa).

Parts - the TT might be the most difficult to find parts for, but not 100% on that. (talking the little thumpers here, not the bigger ones).

None of the bikes are competitive, but that's not putting them down (I ride a kdx and have no need to upgrade). Get a bike you're comfortable on. With the right rider (and mods to make it suit you), they can still be semi-competitive (ISDE 06 - Taupo - Jeff Fredette rode a KDX and finished - can't remember what medal though).

Good luck with your hunt and have fun

[Foth]

Hey guys,

Thanks very much to everyone for your great answers and help, I really appreciate it!!
I've been away from dirt bikes for so long now that I've been a little bit lost, but you've all helped me out heaps!
I'm really after something that I can use to get to work throughout the week, and then use for trail riding on the weekends.
I think I'm probably a little bit old to get back into racing now, so I probably don't really need a super high performance bike.
The bikes that you guys mentioned sound great and exactly what I'm after!
Now comes the scary part of deciding which one to go for

Thank you all very much again,
Regards,
Andrew.

[nallac]

you are a bit stuck with your choices,
the Kdx200 wasn't road legal the Kdx175 was.
The 200 is a excellant trail bike.I had one a while ago.

the Xr250 is not to bad on the road but compared to the Kdx it was horrible off road. a hell of a lot heavier,harder to start when ya fall off and flood it.
I had a road legal one as well.

If ya want a dual sport the Xr ,TT or Dr would be the way to go.
Parts are not a problem. most of them are pretty much bullet proof.

If it was me i'd look at a dr350 if you are going to do quite a few road k's.

[Foth]

Hey Nallac,

Thanks very much for your help!
I was a little bit worried about a KDX, I wasn't sure if they were able to be registered and it'd be a real pity to buy one and then not be able to use it on the road! Thanks for clearing that up for me.
The more I think about it, the more I think it's probably better for me to go for something along the lines of an XR or a DR as they definitely seem to fit the dual purpose roll really well
They're a little bit heavier, but I think it's probably okay as long as I stick to the fun rides and nothing competitive.

Thanks heaps again!