Bike differences 1999- early 2000's and beyond

[hadfield4wd]

Is there a thread (I searched) that has differences in the bikes. I love my '99 250. We are looking at options for my son (17). He has never ridden mine and I'll put him on it this weekend to see how he likes it. I am also considering the '99 200 that's for sale here.

But besides the plastics what are the differences? Looking mostly at early 2000's.

Keeping in mind, mine is the Six Days so I have WP Extreme Conventionals and a little difference coil and cdi apparently.

 

[hadfield4wd]

OK is there a model year difference thread? I'm looking at a 2010. Any help would be great.

 

[pscook]

Here's my understanding of the big changes. I hope that someone corrects any errors, but this is pretty close (I think...)

1998-1999 (I think) - Counterbalance engine
2000-2002 Removed counterbalance, spark plug is straight and centered on head, new (old KX250) plastics
2003-2005 New plastics
2006-2009 New subframe, maybe gas tank and seat(?), engine cases changed and E Start was introduced
2010-2011 New frame (same geometry) and new plastics
2012-2013 New Frame, new geometry, new shock linkage, no change to engine (since 2006, I believe)
2014-2016 Adjustments to frame and geometry, new E Start configuration

There were little tweaks in between, like the clutch and clutch cover. I think the 2012 got a plastic clutch cover.

Until the 2014 came along, the 2010-2011 generation was deemed to be the "best gasser ever" by many long time owners.

 

[Anders]

Here's my understanding of the big changes. I hope that someone corrects any errors, but this is pretty close (I think...)

2006-2009 New subframe, maybe gas tank and seat(?), engine cases changed and E Start was introduced
2014-2016 Adjustments to frame and geometry, new E Start configuration

The new subframe arrived with the 2007 models. Also, the new subframe dictated a new set of plastics and a new seat.
There were never any 2016 models. The 14 and 15 models are quite similar, as is the 17.

 

[nknudsen]

97'-99' had their own tank and seat. The tank was tall & short and didn't run under the seat much.

 

[Neil E.]

I believe Estart was introduced on the 2011 model year.

 

[savage sausage]

Keeping in mind, mine is the Six Days so I have WP Extreme Conventionals and a little difference coil and cdi apparently.

Thats interesting my UK '98 250 Sixdays has Paioli conventional forks, it would be good to find out if either mine or yours were swapped out at some point, or GG changed supplier in between 98/99

 

[cbutler]

The US importer at that time had there own specific stuff put on for the US market

 

[hadfield4wd]

Thats awesome thanks guys. Does anybody know the suspension options? What years were Sachs, Marzoochi, ohlins, reiger?

 

[pscook]

Well, I was close... Sort of.