KX125/KDX200 Hybrid Build
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
I know. I feel a little guilty myself.
It's pretty tall, especially with the trials tire on the back (that's a keeper). I've had a kdx200 before and I rode it for a few months. It did great for slow, technical stuff, but for trails like forest lake I felt like the suspension was a limiting factor. It didn't steer quick and it didn't feel nearly as nimble as my CR 125.
- Location
- Smithfield Utah
I hate to see any clean bike get parted but I'd still do the swap. Keeping a bike looking that new and actually riding it has proven difficult for me in the past 
There were a few things that I didn't like about my KDX that that would no longer be an issue with the KX swap.
-Rear seat/fender height/slope. That stink bug feature almost threw me over the bars a few times. Likely the part that annoyed me the most.
-Forks need valving, springs and a technology injection.
-Short wheelbase is both good and bad.
-Shock needs a technology injection.
-I like being able to move forward on the seat. Even with a desert tank the KX still has more seat room up front.
-Weight.
-Did I mention suspension?
If nothing else I love your projects too
There were a few things that I didn't like about my KDX that that would no longer be an issue with the KX swap.-Rear seat/fender height/slope. That stink bug feature almost threw me over the bars a few times. Likely the part that annoyed me the most.
-Forks need valving, springs and a technology injection.
-Short wheelbase is both good and bad.
-Shock needs a technology injection.
-I like being able to move forward on the seat. Even with a desert tank the KX still has more seat room up front.
-Weight.
-Did I mention suspension?
If nothing else I love your projects too
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
Now that would be the smart thing to do, but I know in the back of my mind I'd still be feeling like it was a compromise. The 125 is a lot leaner, and there's less of a porky feel. The KDX in stock form would be fine for me, but my brain knows I want to shed the 30 lbs off the bike and I'm sold on the hybrid. I've never heard of anyone who did a hybrid and later felt like they wished they had their stock setup back (then again, after all that time, it'd be tough to admit you want to go back).
In other words, the hybrid conversion is a go!
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
Trevor (or anyone else who wants to come over), I'll be tearing this KDX apart tonight if you want to swing by and help/learn. It's really quite simple though. You just keep removing bolts until it's apart.
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
Agreed on all accounts exceot the wheelbase, I never found it to bother me. Then again, I did ride a KX 100 for 4 months, and anything over 50" feels great.
The wheelbase shouldn't change with the KX swap, so I still might wheely-out on the really tough stuff. It should pay off in the tight stuff. Man, I can't wait for regular AF Canyon rides.I'd like to find another kdx 200 or 220 motor to put back in this bike to recoup some money. It sure is clean. First order of business tonight is to pull the jug and see if it has an aftermarket piston or the stock one. The 220's are notorious for breaking at the skirt with the stock piston. A weisco will fix that. I'm not sure if it's had the piston replaced or not so I'll be looking into that.
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D
Deleted member 12904
Guest
How much would you want for that bike minus the parts you need?
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Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
Good question. PM sent. It's a beauty. I'd guess it has maybe 50 hours on it. I paid $1700 for it last night. I have the title for it too.
Here's what I will be using from the 220:
- rear wheel
- carb
- engine/shifter
- exhaust
- chain
- throttle tube/cable
I've got a lead on a complete KDX 200 from wyoming for $250. I'd be happy to pass that info along to you if you wanted to make some money on it, or throw the motor into this bike. The ONLY difference between the kdx 200 and 220 is the engine (and between those, it's only the piston, jug, and the head that are different.
I'd love to just sell the bike rather than trying to hunt down a motor to sell it back. If you found a motor and the couple parts it needs, you'd be able to make a good amount of money.
- Location
- The Land Northward (Bountiful), Utah
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jentzschman
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Sandy, Utah
In stock form they are 30lbs different but where is that 30lbs? I bet a large part of that is in the motor. I still think it's fun to watch your build threads though
rholbrook
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Kaysville, Ut
Nice bike. I think its even cleaner than the one in Boise.
I say do your swap, if you dont you will always wish you would have. I am looking forward to running the Swell with you on this bike. I want to ride it.
I say do your swap, if you dont you will always wish you would have. I am looking forward to running the Swell with you on this bike. I want to ride it.
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
Actually, the 30 lbs weight savings includes the motor. On the KDX forums, people say their kdx 220 weight 30 lbs more than their hybrid (KDX220 in a 125 frame).
I still think it's fun to watch your build threads though
Glad I can provide some entertainment.
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
Yup, that's it.
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
I'll be starting at lunch, but that'll be mainly draining the coolant and removing the seat/rear subframe. I'll really start tearing into it around 5:30 tonight.
rholbrook
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Kaysville, Ut
Did you get a weight of the KDX before you work on it? Get a weight.
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
I think you're right. I figured for $100 more, I had a cleaner bike that I didn't have to worry about transporting and sending money sight unseen. I do wish this had a new piston like the boise one, but I'm pretty happy with it.
You are exactly right. Even if the 220 platform were good for me, my brain would be telling me "you should have done the hybrid, it would have been even better!"
Deal. You show me where to ride there, and I'll let you ride it. It should be done in less than a month. Let's plan a trip for May. I'm not ready for 5MOH, but I can handle Eagle Canyon or Eva Connover, or even Devil's Racetrack. That should make for a fun loop. I'd like to see these red and blue trails you keep mentioning too.
Kyle and I have 4 goals this season.
1) do not get hospitalized or badly hurt
2) complete 5MOH before the end of the year
3) be able to do a 180 wheelie/turnaround thing by the end of the year (easy on my trials and kx100, not easy on a full-size bike)
4) be able to lift the front wheel on command (like getting over a log or rut)
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
Good call. What's the best way to weigh a bike? I figure bathroom scale on a bucket, then the bike on the scale?
rholbrook
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Kaysville, Ut
A month, right. By this weekend.
We can run Eagle Canyon over through Devils Race Track in the morning and then hit the colored trails in the afternoon.
jentzschman
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Sandy, Utah
I would think that should work. I'm hoping to pick up the bike from Brian on Wednesday after I get off work.
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