98 KX250 opinion

NJKawi913
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NJKawi913
Edited Date/Time 12/18/2019 8:21am
So i have a buddy of mine who had a pretty nasty back injury on a streetbike. He is selling his 98 kx250 and gave me a price of $1000. Its complete running, no major issues, basic wear and tear but clean for a 98. I have been wanting a two stroke project for a while not, but was leaning towards a slightly newer aluminum frame bike. However with this coming up i wanted to get some opinion from you guys as to this year bike. Power, Chasis, Suspension, etc... if you've owned one would you pay $1000 for one now.
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ATKpilot99
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ATKpilot99 9/18/2017 12:11pm
9/18/2017 12:11pm
$1000 is a deal in the condition you described . I had a 97 , great bike and the 98 is said to be better.
NJKawi913
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NJKawi913 9/18/2017 12:32pm
9/18/2017 12:32pm
ATKpilot99 wrote:
$1000 is a deal in the condition you described . I had a 97 , great bike and the 98 is said to be better.
here the bike for reference.

JWACK
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JWACK 9/18/2017 1:15pm
9/18/2017 1:15pm
Somethings swheko with the pipe and kick starter but looks decent other than that.

The Shop

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gsxr6
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gsxr6 9/18/2017 1:23pm
9/18/2017 1:23pm
Buddy has one. After a crank and sleeve it's a good bike. Turns better than the 99-07 imho. Both generations. Slightly flat top end, pro circuit works pipe helps with that. Good luck
Dirty Points 9/18/2017 1:29pm
9/18/2017 1:29pm Edited Date/Time 9/18/2017 1:32pm
JWACK wrote:
Somethings swheko with the pipe and kick starter but looks decent other than that.
Kickstarter is definitely put on one spline too high. Don't know if it interferes with that pipe in its proper position.
TJ 755
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TJ 755 9/18/2017 1:34pm
9/18/2017 1:34pm
had one, loved it. It is one of those "best of" stock bikes. Massive low end and mid. Super fun to ride.
Had an 2000 also and it was not as good. as the 98. This is the product of Emigs factory 97 championship bike
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NJKawi913
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NJKawi913 9/18/2017 1:37pm
9/18/2017 1:37pm
JWACK wrote:
Somethings swheko with the pipe and kick starter but looks decent other than that.
i noticed that, I believe they used a pipe meant for different generation and moved the kickstart to accomadate it. I'll end up replacing that pipe anyways, and strip it to the frame this winter.
Ted722
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Ted722 9/18/2017 1:52pm
9/18/2017 1:52pm
Stout low to upper mid (flattening a little on top) engine. Confidence inspiring handling and suspension that can be made really good too. My '94 was good (love that KX sound), but my '98 was better in every way (heck, for me, it worked better than my '01 or '04)
Jrewing
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Jrewing 9/18/2017 1:58pm
9/18/2017 1:58pm
Still remember my 98. Do the Eric Gorr porting from his book. I'd buy it in a flash
NorCal 50+
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NorCal 50+ 9/18/2017 2:01pm
9/18/2017 2:01pm
'97 KX250 was known as a great bike. I had one- it didn't work out so well for me on that bike but it was my fault, not the bike.
FolkLoar
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FolkLoar 9/18/2017 2:04pm
9/18/2017 2:04pm
Very good year for that bike. One of those bikes you found yourself comparing bikes to for the next few years. My best buddy raced one and we would swap bikes sometimes on practice days. I rode Yamaha at the time and it was a good bike, but never wanted to give his 98 KX back the few times he let me on it.
JWACK
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JWACK 9/18/2017 2:06pm
9/18/2017 2:06pm
JWACK wrote:
Somethings swheko with the pipe and kick starter but looks decent other than that.
NJKawi913 wrote:
i noticed that, I believe they used a pipe meant for different generation and moved the kickstart to accomadate it. I'll end up replacing that pipe...
i noticed that, I believe they used a pipe meant for different generation and moved the kickstart to accomadate it. I'll end up replacing that pipe anyways, and strip it to the frame this winter.
A fresh built kx 250 has such an awesome sound. They are deep and crisp! Makes me want one just so I can build it and listen to it.!
sumdood
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sumdood 9/18/2017 2:43pm
9/18/2017 2:43pm
I had an 07'. Great bike.
Mx814
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Mx814 9/18/2017 6:28pm
9/18/2017 6:28pm
98KX 250
$1000
Hell Yes!
Buy it.
Loved that bike.....
except the KIPS power valve system.
vetmxr
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vetmxr 9/18/2017 6:41pm
9/18/2017 6:41pm
I had a 97 and a 98...........I thought they were the best kx's Kawasaki has built.....great power, great suspension, handling was good.....which is a compliment for a kx.........like a freight train in a straight line......turning was as good as a kx has ever been. That killer bottom end and midrange made for a holeshot pulling machine.....as long as a Honda wasn't next to you. Smile

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WDSRCR
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WDSRCR 9/18/2017 6:47pm
9/18/2017 6:47pm
Can you send me his contact info? You shouldn't buy it, I should.
Cancerman
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Cancerman 9/18/2017 9:21pm
9/18/2017 9:21pm
The 1998 KX250 was a very good year. That generation bike was actually better than the last generation KX250. The bumper KYB forks and shock is your weakest link. If you are just riding it, don't worry, set it up for your weight. Keep the motor fresh, run good gas. The FMF/PC pipe adds a bit, good mod. At 1K for a running example, that's a steal. Last one we had at the shop, it looked a little fresher, but we sold it for $2400. The powerband makes it a fun bike to ride. If you are a KX man, go for it.
Lightning78
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Lightning78 9/18/2017 9:30pm
9/18/2017 9:30pm
For a while I was contemplating getting one of these or a 97 as a project bike I'm curious does anybody know if new were Suspension can be put on that bike I've had the bumper forks on my 2003 YZC 250 and while they were plush they did not handle heavy loads or hard hits very well. To see if they more modernized at least fork set up could be placed on the bike and if so which ones?
sargebro689
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sargebro689 9/18/2017 9:36pm
9/18/2017 9:36pm
NJKawi913 wrote:
here the bike for reference.[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/09/18/215371/s1200_kx250.jpg[/img]
here the bike for reference.

Johnny Send-It?? Think I saw him post this on his IG.
Lightning78
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Lightning78 9/18/2017 9:42pm
9/18/2017 9:42pm
Pulled this from kxriders.com

"1996-1998 KX250 triple clamps have a upper clamping diameter of 53.9MM LOWER 58.9MM
The KX450F triple clamps have a upper clamping diameter of 53.8MM and LOWER 59.1MM.

The top and bottom Triple bearings fit from 92-07 KX250... So if the head tube on the frame is the same length on the 94-98 then you should be able to bolt up the 96-98 triples on to your 94.

So.... you should be able to bolt up a set of 06-16 KX450F forks using 96-98 KX250 triple clamps.

The 94 kx250 front brake caliper uses a center to center of mounting bolt length of 102mm and so does the KX450F so you may be able to use your front brake providing the front brake rotor offset is the same. I have no info on that.. But you can use your 94 front brake master cylinder with the 450f caliper.

You will need the 450f axle and likely the spacers.

Number plate? not a clue"



Jrewing
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Jrewing 9/18/2017 11:15pm
9/18/2017 11:15pm
vetmxr wrote:
I had a 97 and a 98...........I thought they were the best kx's Kawasaki has built.....great power, great suspension, handling was good.....which is a compliment for...
I had a 97 and a 98...........I thought they were the best kx's Kawasaki has built.....great power, great suspension, handling was good.....which is a compliment for a kx.........like a freight train in a straight line......turning was as good as a kx has ever been. That killer bottom end and midrange made for a holeshot pulling machine.....as long as a Honda wasn't next to you. Smile
My first holeshot was a neck and neck with a 98 cr250. Even the whole way and he backed off first!
cwtoyota
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cwtoyota 9/19/2017 1:28am
9/19/2017 1:28am
Lightning78 wrote:
Pulled this from kxriders.com "1996-1998 KX250 triple clamps have a upper clamping diameter of 53.9MM LOWER 58.9MM The KX450F triple clamps have a upper clamping diameter...
Pulled this from kxriders.com

"1996-1998 KX250 triple clamps have a upper clamping diameter of 53.9MM LOWER 58.9MM
The KX450F triple clamps have a upper clamping diameter of 53.8MM and LOWER 59.1MM.

The top and bottom Triple bearings fit from 92-07 KX250... So if the head tube on the frame is the same length on the 94-98 then you should be able to bolt up the 96-98 triples on to your 94.

So.... you should be able to bolt up a set of 06-16 KX450F forks using 96-98 KX250 triple clamps.

The 94 kx250 front brake caliper uses a center to center of mounting bolt length of 102mm and so does the KX450F so you may be able to use your front brake providing the front brake rotor offset is the same. I have no info on that.. But you can use your 94 front brake master cylinder with the 450f caliper.

You will need the 450f axle and likely the spacers.

Number plate? not a clue"



The bottom clamps are too tight for the '13 model air forks. They don't just drop in. The upper clamp fit as is.

I did the swap for a buddy on his KX250, but had to put the clamps in the CNC mill and bore them out about 0.010".

The older wheel has the brake rotor mounted farther outboard from the hub center-line. You have to use a 450F hub, axle and spacers with the 450F caliper bracket, or do the following to keep your 1998 wheel:

1) I milled 4mm off the back of an EBC oversized brake bracket (leftover from his pile of '13 KX450F).
This was required to suit the rotor offset of the 1998 hub.

2) I bought him a front axle and nut (from the same year 450F). (Pro tip, use an aluminum nut for a 2010 YZ250).

3) I turned a couple sets of seal-collars from aluminum bar to the correct lengths.
This was required to center up the 98 front wheel in the KX450F forks.
NJKawi913
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NJKawi913 9/19/2017 6:33am
9/19/2017 6:33am
NJKawi913 wrote:
here the bike for reference.[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/09/18/215371/s1200_kx250.jpg[/img]
here the bike for reference.

sargebro689 wrote:
Johnny Send-It?? Think I saw him post this on his IG.
haha yeah i work with him.
Camp332
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Camp332 9/19/2017 10:55am
9/19/2017 10:55am
Nice score! Only questionable thing I remember about that era KX was the bottoming out factor. Enjoy the restoration process it's fun!
willie838
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willie838 9/19/2017 12:46pm
9/19/2017 12:46pm
if he's a buddy, toss him 1200 because he's hard up with a lifelong back injury to deal with now.

that bike still has the original swing arm sticker ffs..

anyway- nice score.
BobPA
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BobPA 9/19/2017 12:56pm
9/19/2017 12:56pm
gsxr6 wrote:
Buddy has one. After a crank and sleeve it's a good bike. Turns better than the 99-07 imho. Both generations. Slightly flat top end, pro circuit...
Buddy has one. After a crank and sleeve it's a good bike. Turns better than the 99-07 imho. Both generations. Slightly flat top end, pro circuit works pipe helps with that. Good luck
Those Kawi's are great.

The '98's turn no where near as well as the 03+ bikes
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