KDX200 vs. KDX220R
 

Hey guys,
I am thinking of buying a KDX200 or KDX220R for a second bike to have around for visiting friends and family to be able to ride with. Are any of you familiar with these bikes? I used to race two stroke 125's and sometimes 250's back in the 70's and am kind of wanting to rekindle that old time feeling as well. Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

RE: KDX200 vs. KDX220R
 

A two stroke for family and friends? Hmmmm, Don't you like them?:D Unless they have a lot of experience riding, I would get a 125 4 strokefor them.;)

RE: KDX200 vs. KDX220R
 

Why do you say that?

I always had the impression the KDX bikes were mildly tuned to offer more mid range power, for trails and mild riding. Definately not the power band of any MX bike that hits hard and is violent when you hit the power band.

RE: KDX200 vs. KDX220R
 

I heard the same thingabout the powerband on the kdx. I also read that if you get the 220 you should replace the carb with one off of a 200, or have the 220 carb bored out. I am kinda with deej though, unless they have experiance in riding off road bikes I would look for something smaller and with less power.

RE: KDX200 vs. KDX220R
 

i've always heard that the 200 is the one to get. but i can't remember why. sorry

RE: KDX200 vs. KDX220R
 

the 200 IS the one to get. the 220 has a sucky tiny carb on it for some dumb reason. the 220 isn't as common either but I'm sure if you replace thecarb it will be better. for everyone but an expert it is probably good enough. either one are great, they're practically the same bike but they are NOT mild bikes. they are 2 strokes and will hit hard. buy a klx 300 if you want mild. these kdx's make a lot more power than 18 or 25. i'm guessing they'll make around 30 horse. a 125 makes around 38 and they're a bit more mild than a full mx 125. they're sweet bikes. pretty much the same chassis as our klx, they have regular forks but are supposed to be very good. if i was buying a trailbike only right now, it'd be a kdx 200 in a heartbeat. a friend of mine had one and he couldn't keep the front wheel down on it. plus, it handles like ours but better because it's like 30 pounds lighter. they don't make it anymore so you'll have to find a holdover or one on ebay. there was a couple on ebay a few nights ago basically brand new for like $2900 or something.

RE: KDX200 vs. KDX220R
 

For gods sake they are mild, they are not motocross bikes, they are enduros. The 200 is the way to go from what I read and there is a lot more of them around

RE: KDX200 vs. KDX220R
 

i put over 1000 miles on a 200 it is an awsome trail bike. i never did a top end on and sold it to a friend of mine. it still has the same top end and is still running strong. then i bought a 220. the 220 is definately strongerin the low to mid range. you can't go wrong with either bike but i like the 200 better.
both the bikes were tuned with exhausts and jetting which on a 2 stroke is a lot easier than the klx. with the heavy flywheel the motors spin up a lot like a 4 stroke so they are easy to get used to and ride. they have about 30 to 35 hp i'd guess so there is quiet a bit more power than the klx plus they are lighter. the fuel range is good too. 65 to 75 miles per tank should be no problem. if i could have gottn the 220 street legal i wouldn't have bought the klx. i love klx but the kdx is a better trail bike.

RE: KDX200 vs. KDX220R
 

Thanks for the info. guys. That is interesting that Kawasaki put a smaller carb on a larger displacement bike. After some lengthy discussions with the local DMV I think it is pretty easy to get the KDX street legal here in Colorado. As a matter of fact if I had done more research I would probably have bought a KDX instead of the KLX. Used prices are looking pretty reasonable.

RE: KDX200 vs. KDX220R
 

don't listen to that guy- they will not be mild learner bikes. these are bikes with 30 2-stroke horsepower and are not for the faint of heart. they will explode with power unlike the KLX which in essence, is a wimp compared to the KDX's- even the 300. they would make a killer dual sport bike.

RE: KDX200 vs. KDX220R
 

I just located one about 60 miles away. Ad reads: 2000 KAWASAKI KDX220, low miles, fast. $1400.00. I called and left a message. We'll see what happens.

RE: KDX200 vs. KDX220R
 

No-one said they were learner bikes just that they are mild. Compaired to a lot of 2 strokes (and a lot of modern 4 strokes) they are mild. They have a heavier flywheel than most 2 strokes and a small carb (like the KLX) combined with mild port and powervalve timing makes them an easy and mild (albeit competitive) 2 stroke. A great bike to start off trailriding. Of course they do have a 2 stroke "hit" however it's pretty tame compared to any modern 4 stroke enduro let alone a 2 stroke enduro or MX

RE: KDX200 vs. KDX220R
 

have you ridden one? not for a beginner. the 200 has a larger carb and a real carb at that compared to the KLX's. the 220 has the smaller carb of the two kdx's. I'd hate to send a beginner out on one.

RE: KDX200 vs. KDX220R
 

Well, the gal that owns the 2000 KDX220 that I called about Sunday returned my call today. I'll be driving over tomorrow to have a look. If it is in the condition that she says it is I will be bringing it home. And if it has the kind of power that everyone is saying, I may be dualsporting it to ride myself. As previously stated, I have recently done my homework and it is easy to get this bike street legal here in Colorado

RE: KDX200 vs. KDX220R
 

Good luck let us know how it goes[8D]

RE: KDX200 vs. KDX220R
 

Good luck, Matt. Post photos!

RE: KDX200 vs. KDX220R
 

Welcome to the dark side:D:D

Im very interested to see how you go about dual sporting, and how the process works...

Beacause Im seriously procrastinating my WR dual sport job:)

RE: KDX200 vs. KDX220R
 

Well, I went and looked at the 2000 KDX220 yesterday. It was more used than the gal that owns it said it was. I declined. The other thing is that I ride mostly trails and fire roads. The KDX did not have a wide enough gear ratio. First is about right for trails but then the top end wasn't there for fire roads. Idid like the power though.

RE: KDX200 vs. KDX220R
 

Yes you are kinda right on the mild down part but that is only half the story. the KDX220 has a hevier crank shaft on it so it lugs around better for the mountains. the 200 is the exact oposite they built that with a lighter crank that is why somany people say that the 200 is so much faster. mmatz i would go with the 220 in my opinion a better bike and alot more ride able unless you really want to bring back your racing years. good luck both are great bikes just depends on what you are going to use them for.

RE: KDX200 vs. KDX220R
 

Cool, thanks for the info Speed!

RE: KDX200 vs. KDX220R
 

I had a 2006 KDX200 and just traded it in on a new 2007 KLX250. I'm much happier with the KLX. As others said the 2-stroke power is a kick but it runs out of steam at higher speeds. I had the KDX dual-sported and licensed in AZ but it wasn't much fun riding on the street. Kick start and mixing gas and oil are a pain particularly when you are riding any distance(although the KDX would go at least 90 miles on a tank of pre-mix). Any time you convert a dirt bike to a dual-sport you run into problems unless you're willing to spend a lot of money.
Pete

RE: KDX200 vs. KDX220R
 

Welcome kpfetz,

Yeah, the KDX just didn't do it for me. But what a great woods bike.

RE: KDX200 vs. KDX220R
 

I had 2 kdx 220's, first was a 2001 and traded it in on a 2003 kfx 400 4 wheeler found out my back couldn't handle it. then got a 2003 kdx220 bike sat alot so I got the klx250s wish I didn't do that ( I want my kdx) anyway the 220 factory piston sucks , the skirts tend to come apart. so if you get a used one that hasn't had it changed do it!