KX 250 opinions?

JM485
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JM485
Edited Date/Time 7/2/2014 7:21am
Since my rm is getting pretty worn out after years of abuse, I'm thinking of trying to find another bike. I rode a friends 06 kx 250 and felt really comfortable on it. It didn't have the front end push I have been having issues with on my rm, and it only took me a few laps to feel great on it, even though I didn't like the tall bars he was running. Anyone know what years are similar to the 06 that I should look out for? The 03 and up bikes look very similar, were there any suspension of motor changes I should be aware of? I'll also be using it for offroad during the winter months, so are there any particular characteristics that make one year better than the next? Thanks for any info, or opinions.Evil Laughing
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scott_nz
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scott_nz 7/1/2014 6:48pm
7/1/2014 6:48pm
JM485 wrote:
Since my rm is getting pretty worn out after years of abuse, I'm thinking of trying to find another bike. I rode a friends 06 kx...
Since my rm is getting pretty worn out after years of abuse, I'm thinking of trying to find another bike. I rode a friends 06 kx 250 and felt really comfortable on it. It didn't have the front end push I have been having issues with on my rm, and it only took me a few laps to feel great on it, even though I didn't like the tall bars he was running. Anyone know what years are similar to the 06 that I should look out for? The 03 and up bikes look very similar, were there any suspension of motor changes I should be aware of? I'll also be using it for offroad during the winter months, so are there any particular characteristics that make one year better than the next? Thanks for any info, or opinions.Evil Laughing
05 and later (to 07 in USA, 08 rest of the world) KX250's are basically the same, they got a whole new motor in 05, the 03 and 04 have the same plastics, but the new motor was a big improvement,
Lane-O103
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Lane-O103 7/1/2014 7:05pm
7/1/2014 7:05pm


Gotta say the 94 Kx looks amazing. Im pro Kawi, even though I ride a YZ

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JM485
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JM485 7/1/2014 7:11pm
7/1/2014 7:11pm
bd wrote:
2007 KX 250: http://motocrossactionmag.com/news/mxas-2007-kawasaki-kx250-race-test
2006 KX 250: http://motocrossactionmag.com/news/mxas-2006-kx250-test
Wow, they really don't like that thing very much! It's funny, I honestly didn't notice any vagueness in the front end, and it felt like it grabbed a lot better than my rm did. I felt a very confident on the bike, especially for only doing a couple of laps on it, which is opposite of what they thought!Laughing Oh well, it still had a lot of great info, thanks for the relies guys!
bd
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bd 7/1/2014 7:20pm
7/1/2014 7:20pm
bd wrote:
2007 KX 250: http://motocrossactionmag.com/news/mxas-2007-kawasaki-kx250-race-test
2006 KX 250: http://motocrossactionmag.com/news/mxas-2006-kx250-test
JM485 wrote:
Wow, they really don't like that thing very much! It's funny, I honestly didn't notice any vagueness in the front end, and it felt like it...
Wow, they really don't like that thing very much! It's funny, I honestly didn't notice any vagueness in the front end, and it felt like it grabbed a lot better than my rm did. I felt a very confident on the bike, especially for only doing a couple of laps on it, which is opposite of what they thought!Laughing Oh well, it still had a lot of great info, thanks for the relies guys!
If you love it, buy one. I would be curious to see how the PC link changes the handling. You can make those bikes rockets circa 2005-2007.

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Joko 7/1/2014 7:21pm
7/1/2014 7:21pm
I had an '05, and experienced the handling problems MXA described to the point where I didn't want to ride the bike anymore. I ended up putting on a set of Applied 21.5 mm offset triple clamps and it transformed the handling to that of a 05+ CR250, but very stable in a straight line.
The stock offset was 25mm, clamps cost $450 through Thumpertalk store.
bvm111
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bvm111 7/1/2014 7:27pm
7/1/2014 7:27pm
I love my 2006!

I have the suspension done, Pro Circuit Link, and Pro Circuit Works Pipe and I wouldn't say its the tightest handling bike on the track but I can turn under most 450's

It hits HARD from mid to top and I love it, just makes me smile when I ride it!

all the 2005 - 2007 KX's were basically the same so I would find the cleanest one you can and rip it!
MxKing809
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MxKing809 7/1/2014 7:41pm
7/1/2014 7:41pm Edited Date/Time 7/1/2014 7:41pm
Here is a stupid question.... We're you both running the same front tire and same pressure?
scooter5002
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scooter5002 7/1/2014 7:53pm
7/1/2014 7:53pm
Not what the OP is asking about, but I had a 2000. Didn't turn all that well, but God DAMN, did that thing have a motor!! Monster bottom end and mid, could ride it just like a 500. Would love to have that motor in my 93 CR250 chassis, that would be a killer combo for the quasi SX track I ride. Well, WHEN I ride.
bvm111
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bvm111 7/1/2014 7:57pm
7/1/2014 7:57pm
scooter5002 wrote:
Not what the OP is asking about, but I had a 2000. Didn't turn all that well, but God DAMN, did that thing have a motor...
Not what the OP is asking about, but I had a 2000. Didn't turn all that well, but God DAMN, did that thing have a motor!! Monster bottom end and mid, could ride it just like a 500. Would love to have that motor in my 93 CR250 chassis, that would be a killer combo for the quasi SX track I ride. Well, WHEN I ride.
I had a 2000 my last year riding and I agree on the motor... it was a tractor!

All my buddies back then would ask how the hell did I get on the throttle so early... I just smiled!!!!

JM485
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JM485 7/1/2014 8:09pm
7/1/2014 8:09pm
MxKing809 wrote:
Here is a stupid question.... We're you both running the same front tire and same pressure?
No, but I have tried a few different things on my rm to try to remedy this. The rm has a new front tire on it as well, but it seems like the front end likes to knife without any warning. It isn't a major issue by any means, I still love the bike and it handles awesome (even on crazy off camber single track), but I have worn it out to the point where I isn't going to be cost effective to keep fixing it. Ask anyone I know, they have been telling me to off the thing for over a year now!Laughing
burn1986
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burn1986 7/1/2014 9:03pm
7/1/2014 9:03pm Edited Date/Time 7/1/2014 9:04pm
KXs have never been known for quick handling ever since the perimeter frame, but yet they are excellent handling bikes. You can jump sideways, high side, or just plain get squirly on it and it will somehow straighten out just fine on landing. Amazing.
Spagina767
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Spagina767 7/2/2014 4:36am
7/2/2014 4:36am
Shameless plug... I have this 04 for sale! Don't know where you are located but I'm in virginia.

JM485
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JM485 7/2/2014 6:24am
7/2/2014 6:24am
Spagina767 wrote:
Shameless plug... I have this 04 for sale! Don't know where you are located but I'm in virginia. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2014/07/02/58243/s1200_image.jpg[/img]
Shameless plug... I have this 04 for sale! Don't know where you are located but I'm in virginia.

Wow, that thing looks great! I'm in CA unfortunately, and that is probably a bit out of my price range, but man is that thing nice!
Spagina767
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Spagina767 7/2/2014 7:15am
7/2/2014 7:15am
Spagina767 wrote:
Shameless plug... I have this 04 for sale! Don't know where you are located but I'm in virginia. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2014/07/02/58243/s1200_image.jpg[/img]
Shameless plug... I have this 04 for sale! Don't know where you are located but I'm in virginia.

JM485 wrote:
Wow, that thing looks great! I'm in CA unfortunately, and that is probably a bit out of my price range, but man is that thing nice!
Thanks man, yeah a bit far away. I'm asking 2500 OBO with no bites yet. I'm stumped, I have had zero problems selling any 2-stroke I've restored in the last 2 years. They have all been Suzukis and Hondas, though, I feel like more people like the RM's and CR's.
seth505
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seth505 7/2/2014 7:21am
7/2/2014 7:21am
I had an 05 and liked it. It was a solid/reliable bike for me. I went from that to an 09 yz and liked the yz a bit better but the motors weren't all that different IMO. As mentioned, if you do go for a kx I'd look for an 05-07

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