Author Topic: 89 kx250 aus spec v usa  (Read 8751 times)

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Offline piney

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89 kx250 aus spec v usa
« on: April 26, 2012, 09:11:46 PM »
i have read on other threads, re 89kx250 Us spec is a better bike than the Aus spec bike, can someone please explain th difference. I have a mate who can export bikes and is keen on a pre 90 bike . he,s a fan of the fried chincken wing but i think i can convert him  ;D ;D

Offline motomaniac

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Re: 89 kx250 aus spec v usa
« Reply #1 on: April 26, 2012, 10:18:21 PM »
The main difference is the front forks. Aus got the first modle Upside down's ,US got 46 mm conventionals up from the usual 43 's . The US forks are better.

Offline GMC

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Re: 89 kx250 aus spec v usa
« Reply #2 on: April 26, 2012, 10:51:38 PM »
Also the rear wheel
US has 19" rim
Aust. has 18" rim

This and the forks are the only difference that I know of.
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Offline piney

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Re: 89 kx250 aus spec v usa
« Reply #3 on: April 27, 2012, 08:23:15 PM »
thanx for clearin that up
i have an aus spec 89 (great bike) i think !!
might have to try fnd a set  U/S spec forx

Offline piney

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Re: 89 kx250 aus spec v usa
« Reply #4 on: April 27, 2012, 09:03:20 PM »
hope i,ve done this right  here it is http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRK2nDMtg-A

Offline Ando

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Re: 89 kx250 aus spec v usa
« Reply #5 on: May 10, 2012, 08:10:07 PM »
The main difference is the front forks. Aus got the first modle Upside down's ,US got 46 mm conventionals up from the usual 43 's . The US forks are better.


There not just better! There a shit load better ;)

Offline CRTAD313

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Re: 89 kx250 aus spec v usa
« Reply #6 on: May 13, 2012, 04:29:05 PM »
 have a friend with an Aus 89 Kx 250. The forks are a bit average. Can they be inproved with gold valves,springs etc or does the problem go deeper than that. Im also guessing the US forks are hard to come by.

Offline wmc83

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Re: 89 kx250 aus spec v usa
« Reply #7 on: May 13, 2012, 07:15:31 PM »
My 89 RMX has similar forks (41mm USD KYBs) but mine are the full cartridge model. From what I'm told the problem with them is due to the design causing stiction making them feel harsh early in the stroke, mine are a little harsh but it's not excessive,  maybe cause I'm running .46 springs with bugger all preload?
46mm conventionals would be the go but they under hang the front axel big time, not good if you trail ride.
« Last Edit: May 13, 2012, 07:17:18 PM by wmc83 »

Offline Nathan S

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Re: 89 kx250 aus spec v usa
« Reply #8 on: May 13, 2012, 09:14:41 PM »
USDs flex mostly at the top of the lower tube. When that (momentarily) bent tube tries to move through the bushes, it binds up.
RWU forks flex mostly just below the lower triple clamp - well away from any bushes. Even though there's more flex, it's doesn't cause binding.

The second year of Japanese USDs deliberately reduced the stiffness of the upper leg to minimise the problem, but all of the 40 and 41mm USDs are pretty crap because of it.
USDs only really began to work properly when they got to 46mm.
That said, some of the mid-00s KTMs with 48mm forks have three bushes in each fork leg, and they work like rubbish. The fix is to remove one of the bushes so the flex doesn't cause bind.

Worth mentioning that Geoff Ballard (and Jess Gardiner) run TTR RWUs on WRFs, and that (in 2007ish) Ben Grabham rated the XR250 as much better in rocks than the team CRFs.

Everything of this era has way too soft springs, unless you weigh 40kg... (Hondas are the worst, FWIW). Definitely the first thing to upgrade.
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Offline Hardo

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Re: 89 kx250 aus spec v usa
« Reply #9 on: August 27, 2012, 07:37:10 PM »
Okay guys. .. if I may please hijack this thread (sort of) ....

If I had a set of those 'crappola' Aus Spec 89 KX250 USD forks (which I do), what year model fork seal kit would I need to order if I were to get it from the USA? 1990???

Does anyone know? 

Cheers....  :)




Offline evo550

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Re: 89 kx250 aus spec v usa
« Reply #10 on: August 27, 2012, 09:22:19 PM »
......why don't you just get a set in Australia for a 1989 kx 250    ???...why would you order fork seals from the U.S.   ???

Offline Nathan S

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Re: 89 kx250 aus spec v usa
« Reply #11 on: August 27, 2012, 09:37:28 PM »
'89/90 USDs are 41mm.
Can't think of any other KYB RWU 41s. Maybe newer 85 USDs

Get 'em from your local dealer, not from the USA.
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Offline Hardo

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Re: 89 kx250 aus spec v usa
« Reply #12 on: August 27, 2012, 10:45:35 PM »
......why don't you just get a set in Australia for a 1989 kx 250    ???...why would you order fork seals from the U.S.   ???

I am visiting the US in a few months. Why pay twice the price here?
That's why.  ::)

Cheers Nath.
I think that answers it, but to be sure you're saying the 1990 US version of the 41mm KX250 USD are the same as the 1989 AUS ones?

Offline evo550

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Re: 89 kx250 aus spec v usa
« Reply #13 on: August 28, 2012, 10:25:13 PM »
......why don't you just get a set in Australia for a 1989 kx 250    ???...why would you order fork seals from the U.S.   ???

I am visiting the US in a few months. Why pay twice the price here?
That's why.  ::)


Mate they are $20 parts, why wait a few months to save $5 on a part that may not fit ?

Offline Hardo

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Re: 89 kx250 aus spec v usa
« Reply #14 on: August 28, 2012, 10:39:08 PM »
LOL

Mate if you can get me a rebuild kit including seals, dust seals and all the bushings/o'rings for $20 then I will buy 3 sets from you.

There's always someone that can get it cheaper down the road.....

   ::)