If aluminium frames are cheaper why does the KLX 300

outerlimits
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outerlimits 6/20/2019 1:23pm
6/20/2019 1:23pm
Jeff_Crutcher wrote:
You just haven’t been around a while. It’s new plastics, updated swing arm, suspension, etc. but it certainly appears to be a reintroduction on the old...
You just haven’t been around a while. It’s new plastics, updated swing arm, suspension, etc. but it certainly appears to be a reintroduction on the old model.

That’s why it has a steel frame. It’s an updated bike that required zero retooling.





CivBars wrote:
I wonder what Kawasaki would think about bringing back other models that require zero retooling? Practically the same target audience. Someone who wants to ride for...
I wonder what Kawasaki would think about bringing back other models that require zero retooling? Practically the same target audience. Someone who wants to ride for fun on something entry level, inexpensive and easy to maintain but won't be very competitive against their other offerings. It even has a steel frame..

If a "new" version of the old school KDX were to be sold, I'd be down there with a check in a pair of seconds.
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kkawboy14
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kkawboy14 6/20/2019 1:41pm
6/20/2019 1:41pm
dirtwalker wrote:
Have a steel frame?
They were left over from the 90s and just sitting around in a warehouse in Hong Kong!
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Texas Built
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Texas Built 6/20/2019 1:51pm
6/20/2019 1:51pm
byke wrote:
Didn't Honda obsolete CR250 cylinders years ago? CR500 cases have been worth their weight in gold for like a decade. It's almost literally worth buying a...
Didn't Honda obsolete CR250 cylinders years ago? CR500 cases have been worth their weight in gold for like a decade. It's almost literally worth buying a CR500 just for the cases. At one point someone was making/selling billet cases just so people could get something.
The main class in Shifter Kart racing is Stock Moto which the 2001 CR125 engine is the required engine. So Honda still makes 2001 CR125 cases and cylinders for it, and they are cheap.

If you buy an old CR125, get a 2001.





Bearuno
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Bearuno 6/20/2019 2:33pm
6/20/2019 2:33pm
byke wrote:
Didn't Honda obsolete CR250 cylinders years ago? CR500 cases have been worth their weight in gold for like a decade. It's almost literally worth buying a...
Didn't Honda obsolete CR250 cylinders years ago? CR500 cases have been worth their weight in gold for like a decade. It's almost literally worth buying a CR500 just for the cases. At one point someone was making/selling billet cases just so people could get something.
A few companies make CR 500 cases. One, being AJs company, www.built500.com , then TSP here in Australia, and a few more. One to avoid - Panthera in Quebec - and not just based on my anger towards them regarding a dreadfull EStart kit I got ripped off with - go look for a French blokes 500 project here on this site where he bought their cases, found they were unusable, and resorted to the Aussie TSPs.

The Shop

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dirtwalker 6/20/2019 2:35pm
6/20/2019 2:35pm
dirtwalker wrote:
Have a steel frame?
zookie wrote:
'Cause they ain't cheaper. Why the heck is there a rumor that they are cheaper? LOL.
Its not a rumour. Its Vitard fact that aluminium frames are cheaper and that is why the Japanese went aluminium. Knowing the price difference between steel and aluminium structures from my work i have never agreed. So hence the question to challenge the vitard fact library Tongue
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Premix
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Premix 6/20/2019 3:12pm
6/20/2019 3:12pm Edited Date/Time 6/20/2019 3:13pm
CivBars wrote:
I wonder what Kawasaki would think about bringing back other models that require zero retooling? Practically the same target audience. Someone who wants to ride for...
I wonder what Kawasaki would think about bringing back other models that require zero retooling? Practically the same target audience. Someone who wants to ride for fun on something entry level, inexpensive and easy to maintain but won't be very competitive against their other offerings. It even has a steel frame..

Competitive against other offerings? Have you ever ridden a KX from that era? 😂😂😂

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Jharper
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Jharper 6/20/2019 3:22pm
6/20/2019 3:22pm
CivBars wrote:
I wonder what Kawasaki would think about bringing back other models that require zero retooling? Practically the same target audience. Someone who wants to ride for...
I wonder what Kawasaki would think about bringing back other models that require zero retooling? Practically the same target audience. Someone who wants to ride for fun on something entry level, inexpensive and easy to maintain but won't be very competitive against their other offerings. It even has a steel frame..

Markopolo400 wrote:
I would be shocked if Kawasaki has kept production tooling laying around for 15 years. That being said...If a new KX125 came out I would be...
I would be shocked if Kawasaki has kept production tooling laying around for 15 years.

That being said...If a new KX125 came out I would be first in line. Wishful thinking Sideways
Tooling goes bad if not properly maintained. It also has a limited number of uses. I don’t know a lot about Moto production, but we get about 10,000 shots per tool on small die cast brass parts.
1
Dirty Points 6/20/2019 3:22pm
6/20/2019 3:22pm Edited Date/Time 6/20/2019 3:30pm
CivBars wrote:
I wonder what Kawasaki would think about bringing back other models that require zero retooling? Practically the same target audience. Someone who wants to ride for...
I wonder what Kawasaki would think about bringing back other models that require zero retooling? Practically the same target audience. Someone who wants to ride for fun on something entry level, inexpensive and easy to maintain but won't be very competitive against their other offerings. It even has a steel frame..

Premix wrote:
Competitive against other offerings? Have you ever ridden a KX from that era? 😂😂😂

Re-read the post you responded to.
1
Underground 6/20/2019 3:53pm
6/20/2019 3:53pm
outerlimits wrote:
If a "new" version of the old school KDX were to be sold, I'd be down there with a check in a pair of seconds.

Thinking about your comment, what KTM did with their 125/200 shared components model was really genius. The Jap manufacturers, especially Honda have been going down the shared components for a while now too in their main sellers line like the CRF's so I can't see why they couldn't redesign that engine some to allow it to go out to a 200 like KTM did. They could release a KX125, KX200 and KDX200 with little change and costs between models. They could even release them with the old open chamber forks and I think a lot of non racing/ride day Smoes or Vets would really like a 200 MXer that has more torque off the bottom than a 125 but still revs out to a healthy top end that doesn't kill the arms of an occasional rider. There's seems to be a market for 200 off roaders on here also and the 125 market is pretty wide open. Especially for a solid reliable, cheaper entry level non orange/white/Euro/boutique/expensive version like the KX65 is.
Falcon
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Falcon 6/20/2019 5:43pm
6/20/2019 5:43pm
racerxx276 wrote:
I thought the "300" stood for it's weight!

287 dry according the the spec's...
When Kawasaki first introduced the KLR650, it was called the Tengai. I believe they were referring to how many people it took to load it into a truck.
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byke
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byke 6/20/2019 5:48pm
6/20/2019 5:48pm
^^^Hahahaha!
inthebadboycorner 6/20/2019 7:50pm
6/20/2019 7:50pm Edited Date/Time 6/20/2019 7:53pm
Jeremy Macbeth wrote:
Aluminum melting point: 1221°F
Steel melting point: 2500°F
Jet fuel burn temp: 1517°F

Any remaining questions as to why steel frames are superior?
Jmicmoto13 wrote:
Yes, What do melting points have to do with frame strength on a motocross bike?
Don't ride into a Volcano.
KDXGarage
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KDXGarage 6/20/2019 8:23pm
6/20/2019 8:23pm Edited Date/Time 6/21/2019 10:06am
New version KLX300R weight with no fuel as stated by Kawasaki (282)
old version as stated by a few people on TT that actually weighed theirs (250)

How did it gain 32 pounds??

Also, according to 1995 Dirt Rider magazine:

1995 - 2006 KDX200 / KDX220R (238)
1989 - 1994 KDX200 (233)

EDIT: 282.2 with at least 90% fuel, so maybe 270 without fuel? Maybe 20 pounds more.
ATKpilot99
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ATKpilot99 6/21/2019 3:03am
6/21/2019 3:03am
KDXGarage wrote:
New version KLX300R weight with no fuel as stated by Kawasaki (282) old version as stated by a few people on TT that actually weighed theirs...
New version KLX300R weight with no fuel as stated by Kawasaki (282)
old version as stated by a few people on TT that actually weighed theirs (250)

How did it gain 32 pounds??

Also, according to 1995 Dirt Rider magazine:

1995 - 2006 KDX200 / KDX220R (238)
1989 - 1994 KDX200 (233)

EDIT: 282.2 with at least 90% fuel, so maybe 270 without fuel? Maybe 20 pounds more.
As far as the new KLX it does now have e-start and FI. 32 lbs. Sounds like a lot though. Not sure about those kdx weights. They changed the bodywork around then.
Dirty Points 6/21/2019 4:10am
6/21/2019 4:10am
KDXGarage wrote:
New version KLX300R weight with no fuel as stated by Kawasaki (282) old version as stated by a few people on TT that actually weighed theirs...
New version KLX300R weight with no fuel as stated by Kawasaki (282)
old version as stated by a few people on TT that actually weighed theirs (250)

How did it gain 32 pounds??

Also, according to 1995 Dirt Rider magazine:

1995 - 2006 KDX200 / KDX220R (238)
1989 - 1994 KDX200 (233)

EDIT: 282.2 with at least 90% fuel, so maybe 270 without fuel? Maybe 20 pounds more.
ATKpilot99 wrote:
As far as the new KLX it does now have e-start and FI. 32 lbs. Sounds like a lot though. Not sure about those kdx weights...
As far as the new KLX it does now have e-start and FI. 32 lbs. Sounds like a lot though. Not sure about those kdx weights. They changed the bodywork around then.
It says 282 full of fuel, not no fuel.
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CivBars
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CivBars 6/21/2019 9:17am
6/21/2019 9:17am
CivBars wrote:
I wonder what Kawasaki would think about bringing back other models that require zero retooling? Practically the same target audience. Someone who wants to ride for...
I wonder what Kawasaki would think about bringing back other models that require zero retooling? Practically the same target audience. Someone who wants to ride for fun on something entry level, inexpensive and easy to maintain but won't be very competitive against their other offerings. It even has a steel frame..

Premix wrote:
Competitive against other offerings? Have you ever ridden a KX from that era? 😂😂😂

Either you misunderstood me or I'm misunderstanding you but I never rode a KX back then. I was trying to say that both the KLX 300 and a KX 125 are somewhat outdated but still have their place in the market. I don't mean to beat the two stroke drum too hard but a KX 125 seems to be ideal for Kawasaki to reintroduce since they have such a big amateur program but they keep kids on Supermini's for as long as they can before going to a 250F instead of filling that gap with racing Schoolboy. I get it because they have a KX100.

Back to the KLX though. Does anyone know if they'll have a street legal model in the states like they do in other countries?
Dirty Points 6/21/2019 9:58am
6/21/2019 9:58am
CivBars wrote:
Either you misunderstood me or I'm misunderstanding you but I never rode a KX back then. I was trying to say that both the KLX 300...
Either you misunderstood me or I'm misunderstanding you but I never rode a KX back then. I was trying to say that both the KLX 300 and a KX 125 are somewhat outdated but still have their place in the market. I don't mean to beat the two stroke drum too hard but a KX 125 seems to be ideal for Kawasaki to reintroduce since they have such a big amateur program but they keep kids on Supermini's for as long as they can before going to a 250F instead of filling that gap with racing Schoolboy. I get it because they have a KX100.

Back to the KLX though. Does anyone know if they'll have a street legal model in the states like they do in other countries?
They already have a dual sport klx in the US and they have been available for decades.
KDXGarage
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KDXGarage 6/21/2019 10:04am
6/21/2019 10:04am
KDXGarage wrote:
New version KLX300R weight with no fuel as stated by Kawasaki (282) old version as stated by a few people on TT that actually weighed theirs...
New version KLX300R weight with no fuel as stated by Kawasaki (282)
old version as stated by a few people on TT that actually weighed theirs (250)

How did it gain 32 pounds??

Also, according to 1995 Dirt Rider magazine:

1995 - 2006 KDX200 / KDX220R (238)
1989 - 1994 KDX200 (233)

EDIT: 282.2 with at least 90% fuel, so maybe 270 without fuel? Maybe 20 pounds more.
ATKpilot99 wrote:
As far as the new KLX it does now have e-start and FI. 32 lbs. Sounds like a lot though. Not sure about those kdx weights...
As far as the new KLX it does now have e-start and FI. 32 lbs. Sounds like a lot though. Not sure about those kdx weights. They changed the bodywork around then.
Dirty Points wrote:
It says 282 full of fuel, not no fuel.
Hey. You're right! Thanks. I looked again" the site.

I would estimate 271 without fuel, so 20 pound gain?

Pit Row

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CivBars
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CivBars 6/21/2019 10:05am
6/21/2019 10:05am
CivBars wrote:
Either you misunderstood me or I'm misunderstanding you but I never rode a KX back then. I was trying to say that both the KLX 300...
Either you misunderstood me or I'm misunderstanding you but I never rode a KX back then. I was trying to say that both the KLX 300 and a KX 125 are somewhat outdated but still have their place in the market. I don't mean to beat the two stroke drum too hard but a KX 125 seems to be ideal for Kawasaki to reintroduce since they have such a big amateur program but they keep kids on Supermini's for as long as they can before going to a 250F instead of filling that gap with racing Schoolboy. I get it because they have a KX100.

Back to the KLX though. Does anyone know if they'll have a street legal model in the states like they do in other countries?
Dirty Points wrote:
They already have a dual sport klx in the US and they have been available for decades.
I see that. Smile What about the 300?
KDXGarage
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KDXGarage 6/21/2019 10:07am
6/21/2019 10:07am
KDXGarage wrote:
New version KLX300R weight with no fuel as stated by Kawasaki (282) old version as stated by a few people on TT that actually weighed theirs...
New version KLX300R weight with no fuel as stated by Kawasaki (282)
old version as stated by a few people on TT that actually weighed theirs (250)

How did it gain 32 pounds??

Also, according to 1995 Dirt Rider magazine:

1995 - 2006 KDX200 / KDX220R (238)
1989 - 1994 KDX200 (233)

EDIT: 282.2 with at least 90% fuel, so maybe 270 without fuel? Maybe 20 pounds more.
ATKpilot99 wrote:
As far as the new KLX it does now have e-start and FI. 32 lbs. Sounds like a lot though. Not sure about those kdx weights...
As far as the new KLX it does now have e-start and FI. 32 lbs. Sounds like a lot though. Not sure about those kdx weights. They changed the bodywork around then.
1989 - 1994 was one series.
1995 - 2006 was the last series.

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