want to ride dirt. first time on 2 knobies

R6JUNKIE · 09-15-2005, 03:38 PM

thinking getting something for the dirt. a few things
1. i never rode dirt
2 i'm old ,fat and short 200# 5'6"
3 I'm low on cash
4 i never rode dirt
5 im a newbee I never rode dirt

hehe get it. so im looking at 2 bikes 97 kdx220 $900 and a 96/95 kx125 $800.
any pointers? any suggestions on these 2? were to begin?

OFFICER737 · 09-15-2005, 03:42 PM

Dirt doesn't hurt as much as asphalt and the 2 strokes are throttle sensitive. BAsically means if you don't respect it then it will bite you in the ass! But is a lot fun.

OFFICER737 · 09-15-2005, 03:45 PM

Carry spare spark plugs because they will foul out in a heart beat. Change the oil and filter regularily. Change the little skinny bars for a set of Renthals or along those lines. Put a tether kill switch on them in case you come off the bike (and you will sooner or later) the bike will not run off 2 counties over. Man this can be a long list

R6JUNKIE · 09-15-2005, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OFFICER737

Dirt doesn't hurt as much as asphalt .

good to know after the last 65mph highside i'm still limping around with a sprained ankle. i used to run quads and a few of those flip me on jumps. do you know anything about these 2 bikes? the say the kdx is a good woods bike and newbee friendly

seatec · 09-15-2005, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R6JUNKIE

good to know after the last 65mph highside i'm still limping around with a sprained ankle. i used to run quads and a few of those flip me on jumps. do you know anything about these 2 bikes? the say the kdx is a good woods bike and newbee friendly

I do some drit riding track and woods with bike and quads.
i think you would be better off with the KDX220. plenty of power for a newbie to drit and its a great woods bike. Make sure you wear your gear and your good to go. replace stuff as you brake it like the handle bars and stuff. KDX is a tall bike compared to the kx125 because it needs ground clearance for the woods so that might be an issue for you but otherwise id pick the kdx hands down. make sure you carry spark plugs and put in MIX fuel. (2-stroke)

OFFICER737 · 09-15-2005, 04:00 PM

I used to race a KX250 on tracks and hare scrambles. The KX125 is a great bike and has quite a bit of power to it, same with the 220. They are pretty user friendly just gotta watch the 2 stroke torque and the power bands in both are quick to get into them. Some of the people I saw just starting out went to the 4 strokes in the woods because they are not as snappy on the throttle and does a little more roll on for the power. The ones that started on 2 strokes hit a lot of trees and stuff but when they went to the 4 stroke the problem went away.

R6JUNKIE · 09-15-2005, 04:14 PM

being short and all will the kx125 be better suited for me? will it haul my fat ass around and still be able to do small jumps, wheelies and other hoodlum dirt stuff. i dont need fast but want to be able to play alittle. last quad i had was a 250 mojave and i was doing at least 3 foot air with it and would like the same with the bike. or is the kdx a better bike for around the same price.

OFFICER737 · 09-15-2005, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R6JUNKIE

being short and all will the kx125 be better suited for me? will it haul my fat ass around and still be able to do small jumps, wheelies and other hoodlum dirt stuff. i dont need fast but want to be able to play alittle. last quad i had was a 250 mojave and i was doing at least 3 foot air with it and would like the same with the bike. or is the kdx a better bike for around the same price.

A buddy of mine borrowed another buddy's 250 and followed me a track one day, he is 6'0 and 285, he attempted to follow me over a 2 foot tabletop jump. He got about 5 feet of air, unfortunatly he didn't know to stand up when going over a jump and washed out. The 125 isn't too far behind the 250, it will get away from you pretty quickly like the 250 will. Either bike will haul you around pretty good, if it comes to your size just dial the rear shock up or got to an aftermarket one and if you want to add some power add some better power reeds and a jet kit. You can also do the same chain and sprocket mods that a street bike will do to add more low end to it. The 97 125 was almost as tall as my KX250 was at that time. But the KDX does give a little more ground clearance. Both prices aren't too bad depending on the condition of the bikes.

Krazy Hawaiian · 09-15-2005, 04:29 PM

No the kdx 220 would be a better bet... it's been modded somewhat with a big bore because it normally comes as a 200. Its a trail bike initally where the kx is a all out motocrosser. Of the 2 the kdx would be the easieer of the 2 I would guess. (I have to guess since there isnt any way to determine what had been done to the kdx other than the bore)

Normally the125 KX will have a narrow powerband you need to rev the nuts off it for it to move, and believe me a 125 mxer will haul ass.
The kdx was made with riding nastier stuff and has a wider powerband than the mx bike plus the additional displacement helps too kdx's are really good bikes provided they have been taken reasonable care of...

R6JUNKIE · 09-15-2005, 07:46 PM

thanks guys, if I decide to jump on one of these I will post up some pictures.

Josh D · 09-15-2005, 08:45 PM

Just wanted to add that if the 220 is in good shape, then that price is an absolute steal. I paid almost 2x that for my 200, it is a 97' also. KDX 200's are almost impossible to find around here, and the 220's aren't much easier.

Power wise, the 220 would be a lot better for a beginner IMO. It will make the 125 feel gutless down low. I've ridden both the YZ125 and CR125, and for the kind of riding I like to do, they would not suit it at all. They do have one hell of a punch on top end though.

Reckless01 · 09-16-2005, 01:00 PM

Use GOOD oils and remember that the tranny oil (crankcase is not lubed with tranny on 2 strokes) will need to be changed after each ride (depending on how hard u ride) I use HP oils in my 250. Spark plugs....well i have had my newest 250 for about 6 mos and am still on the same plug....so its all in how you mix the oil and whether or not you let it "low end bog" (KH or 737 may know what i mean) Its when the engine bogs from being in too high of a gear and loads the cyl with fuel and leaves a lot of it unburnt. a 2 stroke will just throw it out the pipe burned or not. It dont have a choice really. Dont skimp on ANYTHING to save a buck man. I always tell my buds "$50 for a Vortex sprocket is much cheaper than buying an 'Ebay special' that'll break on you and possibly crack a case, spill you hard and cash your swingarm, what'll that cost ya?" A few $ worth of QUALITY parts will save hundreds in the long run!! Get the 220 by the way youll find its power is more broad and it will handle long trail rides better w/o the overheating or struggling on the clutch.

Krazy Hawaiian · 09-18-2005, 11:41 PM

^^^^ WTF each ride? you on a mission to pollute the planet unessiseairly with crap oil? Geezus I never changed tranny oil unless I needed to split the cases.... theres no unburned junk going in the oil like a 4 stroker... jsut gears spinning on ball bearings.

People that needlessly change oil are as bad as the ones that dump there oil in the ocean or water system.... no offense Wrek but thats just ludicrous.

Reckless01 · 09-19-2005, 03:12 PM

Dude the Honda mechanic (along with just about every other one) I know told me that it should be changed after each hard ride because of clutch metal. Bro when i drain it the oil is SILVER! IT glistens and shines like metalic paint from all the worn metal plates. The oil gets recycled and will end up back in my bike again. If i poured it down a drain, or just used it to kill weeds I would be an "environmental killer" Unfortunately I dont. I would rather change the oil (like was reccomended to me) than replace a tranny.

OFFICER737 · 09-19-2005, 03:23 PM

I changed mine after every race and after a hard day of practice....it always came out silver.