28th Sep 2008, 03:59
Mine is a 98 KX250, and starts within 5 to 6 kicks.
Leaking fork seals are common, and can be caused by the lower tubes that are not parallel from each other, which puts pressure on one side of the tube seal, not even pressure all around the seal. Think about it. There is a tool to help you to do the job right when you put the front wheel back on.
Other than that, I love my mean green machine. Go green!
17th Oct 2008, 05:50
I have had a 93 KX250 for the last 18 months. It handles well, and definitely has all the power I need. I find the brakes and handling to be excellent for my use, which is enduro rides.
The bike has currently been pulled apart. After 15 years of what I am sure is hard riding, I am replacing all bearings, seals, crank, pistons and a couple of worn parts in the power valve.
The bike has been re-sleeved at some stage, so I am down to the last over-bore of 68.5mm.
All in all, it has held up pretty well for a bike of this age, so it proves it is pretty strong inside the motor. Will be back together next weekend.
6th Jan 2009, 12:52
Kawasaki is definitely one of the best brands made. I have a 1997 KX 250 and the bike flies. I was riding the bike on tracks during the summer, and my buddy had a 94 YZ 250, and every time we raced each other my bike would scream by him. It made the YZ 250 look like a little pocket bike. I am so impressed with the power and speed of this bike. By far one of the fastest bikes I have rode.
31st Jan 2009, 23:20
I have a 1997 KX. Got it 3 weeks ago, and I got on it; it flies.
I keep it well maintained and I was riding it the other day, and it got stuck in 5th. Anyone know what the problem is???
15th Feb 2009, 22:14
I have a 1999 KX250 and I'm 16. This thing rips, but I have a problem with fork seals and brakes, which I heard is common on these bikes, but the power of this bike is unbelievable.
I'm very impressed, it's faster than all my friend's bikes, and handles great, handles nice off jumps, and everything.
An all around great bike; go green and have a mean machine.
6th May 2009, 02:56
I have a 2002 KX 250. This bike is awesome. Still on original top end, starts right up, only problem is the crank seal finally went bad, so going to be fixing that.
13th Mar 2010, 10:45
KX 250 96 model, brilliant bike, very quick, needs respect and a bit of experience to ride, good oil and maintenance is key, this goes for any bikes.
Only thing I've found it takes a few kicks to start, after it's warm there isn't a problem, no big deal, lots of MX bikes do this, especially four stroke 250 and 450 bikes.
Two stroke bikes are much more fun to ride, I love them. The KX250 is a brilliant bike whatever the year, just be careful, they bite back, thanks, be lucky.
28th Apr 2010, 12:40
Just bought a 2002 KX 250. Really impressed with it, it flies!!! Much more responsive than my mate's 2002 RM 250.
2nd May 2010, 00:33
WOW!!! I just recently bought a 2000 KX 250 with a seized top end from a friend that didn't mix the gas, after buying it for $500, I brought it home and tore it down, to find out the top end was fine and the bottom was seized. I later found a 98 KX 250 engine on eBay, I just picked it up today and got home to find out that the bike was actually a 1997. It took a lot of work, but just as the sun went down, I got er' started! And it started in 2 kicks; after that I took it for a ride and found it hauls! My friend on his 2006 Cr 250 can't keep up! I love IT!
18th Aug 2010, 10:22
I'm trading a Kawasaki Bayou 250 Quad for a 98 KX 250 today. From the reviews, it seems like bikes of this age have bad brakes, but I won't be racing, so it's not worrying me too much.
However, the bike I'm getting has a bad head gasket, so I need to fix that. Until that's fixed, I've got my TTR 125 to use.
Other than that, hopefully the bike doesn't have any other problems.
19th Nov 2010, 21:36
I bought a 1993 KX250 about three months ago. I learned to ride on this bike and she screams!! Only problems I have had is broken clutch cable and idle problems. Rather than that, this bike pulls to the moon. Starts on second or third kick every time. Great bottom end and super quick on the top. Handles great and regularly outruns my friends bike on tight technical trails!! About to replace pipe (pro circuit) and rebuild the carb. Great bike.
25th Jan 2011, 13:48
Have to say I have learned how to ride on the KX 250, a 94 to be exact, and hated it. Loved the 4 strokes, then when I had my 450, wished I had my 94 again :(
Just recently picked up a 94 for $800 that had swapped out to 98 suspension (front and rear as well as... well everything, minus the motor) and then had pro action suspension redo the forks and shock from what it looks like, cuz it sure doesn't look like the last 2 94s I've had, and cannot make one complaint about the bike other than the jack off that owned it before me, who didn't know a thing about bikes; it was just way too fast LOL for him. At least I f***ing love this bike, and was able to keep up with a 09 KTM 250, that could only beat me threw the corners cuz I'm not that great at railing them hard like him, but couldn't pull away anywhere else.
Like I have said, BEST BIKE I've EVER RODE/ OWNED!!! Doing a complete rebuild so I can have a fresh bike to race with, then look out for the 94 beast LOL.
31st Jan 2014, 18:50
I have a 86 KX250. It's a great bike if you do the upkeep. Mine starts 2nd kick. There is a sweet spot; push the kick down slowly until it goes soft, usually 80% down. Bring it back up and kick hard; it fires right up. Check your compression.
27th Dec 2016, 02:52
Hi, I have a question. I have a 1998 KX 250 that stopped running after I did a burnout. The motor is a virgin with new crank and top end. I still have spark, compression, and plenty of fuel. Cleaned the carb so that's not a problem. I don't get it because the bike always started first or second kick no matter what; does anyone have any ideas?
24th Aug 2008, 12:10
95 KX250.
Great bottom, great top, pulls out of anywhere.
Compared it to friend's 2000 CR250. I feel the same power, only in 4th gear is where I feel the power band hit a little more, but he's got an FMF SST, I've got stock exaust on mine. And I like my handling is better, his CR250 feels stiff as a rock.
Only problem I had was I bent my handle bar with a small fall - that sucked.
Other than that my bike is a freakin power house.