Need advice

[Samkjenn]

I am new to the forum here and I have an opportunity to purchase a 2011 ec250. Now I have been a long time KDX guy and I was drawn to this bike from the time I saw it. I just a little worried about parts support. And the bike is a clean one owner. Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[CDN Rick]

I am new to the forum here and I have an opportunity to purchase a 2011 ec250. Now I have been a long time KDX guy and I was drawn to this bike from the time I saw it. I just a little worried about parts support. And the bike is a clean one owner. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Welcome to the forum!
It would help to know which country you live in. But I have found parts support to be fantastic. Almost easier to get parts than for my Yamaha.

 

[Neil E.]

The slightly compact size of the 2011 GG makes it a very good replacement for the KDX. Any parts I needed have been readily available. There is nothing to be concerned about if the price is right.

 

[Samkjenn]

Sorry I am in the U.S. and the bike has a lot of upgrades i.e. Rekluse core exp3.0 clutch flex handlebars and tubliss 2.0 and RB designs carb and head mod,he is asking $3K for the bike and has many extras with it. Like an oversized tank and some other odds and ends. I'm excited about the bike and I have test ridden it and it feels much more comfortable than my old KDX's.

 

[CDN Rick]

Sorry I am in the U.S. and the bike has a lot of upgrades i.e. Rekluse core exp3.0 clutch flex handlebars and tubliss 2.0 and RB designs carb and head mod,he is asking $3K for the bike and has many extras with it. Like an oversized tank and some other odds and ends. I'm excited about the bike and I have test ridden it and it feels much more comfortable than my old KDX's.

If its been taken care of that is a very reasonable price for a bike with upgrades like that. Although I'm not personally a fan of Flexx Bars I know many guys like them. I'm sure you can get years of fun out of a that machine.

 

[Samkjenn]

Ok thank you so much! And the last question I have is how often do I do a top end? I'm used to doing them every 40 hours. And is there a better brand to go with?

 

[Neil E.]

Top ends are usually done around 100 hrs with normal trail riding. Maybe less if you race. I get 200 hrs on a top end.

 

[CDN Rick]

Most people do top ends around 100-150 hrs. If you are gentle on your bike 200 will be ok. I believe factory spec for racing is 50hrs but I could be wrong.

 

[Samkjenn]

Thank you guys for the quick replies! And I'm going to get the bike next week just sold my last KDX today.

 

[Jacob 'Berg]

Buy it, you will not be disappointed. I have a 2011 250 and have had no issues finding parts. Regarding the top end, I just replaced my top end at 110 hours, and I should have done it sooner, as their was a noticeable difference in compression and power afterwards. That being said, there was very little blow by, and the piston and cylinder looked great. I will be changing piston and rings at 65 hours moving forward, but I am on the pipe quite a bit.

 

[Samkjenn]

So is there a specific brand of piston that's better in these I'm used to running either Athena or wiseco. And is there a whole top end kit with piston wrist pin gaskets etc out there?

 

[Jacob 'Berg]

So is there a specific brand of piston that's better in these I'm used to running either Athena or wiseco. And is there a whole top end kit with piston wrist pin gaskets etc out there?

I run Wossner. I believe Vertex is OEM? There are kits to be had with pistons, rings, wrist pin, and all gaskets. I paid $220 USD for my last kit. The same parts can be sourced from a reputable dealer.

 

[Samkjenn]

Thanks man! I have a dealer a about 2 hours north of me and I found a kit on eBay but I'm not sure how much I trust those.

 

[Stoby]

happier

You should be a lot happier with the gasser . A stock gasser is better IMO than a purpose built kdx and light years better than a stocker. I've owned kdxs
Ntahoe on ebay is a good vendor and sells gasgas stuff. I live where there are no dealers and the internet provided for everything I needed
Good luck
Stoby

 

[Samkjenn]

Thanks stoby! I just got rid of a fully modified kdx and it just started to feel archaic.

 

[Jacob 'Berg]

Thanks man! I have a dealer a about 2 hours north of me and I found a kit on eBay but I'm not sure how much I trust those.

If the kit on ebay is sold from Nevada and the seller is North Tahoe Motorsports, it's legit. I have bought from Bob before and he will do you right. Support your dealer when you can....I grew up in southern Illinois, so I wouldn't steer you wrong

 

[CDN Rick]

So is there a specific brand of piston that's better in these I'm used to running either Athena or wiseco. And is there a whole top end kit with piston wrist pin gaskets etc out there?

Wossner or Vertex. IIRC Vertex is OEM.
Not Wiseco.

 

[SS109]

I have owned GG and a few KDX's, 200, 220, and 250 versions. Going to the smaller framed GG's from the 200/220 KDX's is very natural and will be a smooth transition for you. The 2011 EC250 is by far my favorite Gasser.

Having said that, IMO, GG is better but it isn't leaps and bounds better than a fully modded out KDX. I know, sacrilege, but that's just this riders opinion. I love Gassers but I also love KDX's and it is because the bikes are so similar in their feel and handling characteristics. You can't go wrong with either.

 

[RBrider]

I found an Athena piston kit for my xc 200 on ebay from a shop I knew to be reputable. It turns out the kit was a Wossner kit rebranded in a Athena package.

I've had good luck using Athena brand cylinder and/or piston kits. Gasket kits too.

I also have bought Wossner piston kits from Nik's Industries with good results, after reading about them in a thread on this forum.

I've ridden my friends well sorted out KDX 200. While it's got a lot going for it, I'm glad I'm on the GG 200.

RB