What was the last manufacture year of 2 stroke Jap enduro bikes?

[mudguard]

Jap bikes only, Yamaha IT, Kawasaki KDX & Suzuki PE. What was the last year model and engine size for these bikes? In your opinion which is better?

[Hoony]

the KDX 200 ran longer than the other 2, but buggered if i can remember what year? probably early 90's

i think the IT200 went till around 1986? and the PE250 stopped in early 80's (82?)

the best i think is the IT200N / S (1985/6) disc brake front / very light and very fast, a mate of mine had one and as he was doing enduros he did the occasional MX on it and it was nearly as fast with him on it as the 250's he was a Vic A Grade MXer for years before so that did have something to do with it, he even got a few Holeshots.

[80-85 husky]

83 for the PE "z"

86 for the IT 200

250 and 490 stopped at the "L" in 1984

KDX 200 went to 96 I think...no even 2000? the last A/c was the 88 and then W/C from then

85 was the last A/C kdx 250 and the W/C 250 camel was 88 - 89? needs clarification....

[LWC82PE]

Some corrections

Last PE175 - 84 'E'
Last PE250 and 400 - 82 'Z'  (only few countries got these)

[kim80y]

So not including the Yamaha YZ250WR and the Yamaha WR250, or the Suzuki RMX 250, or Honda CRM 250??

Cheers
Kim

[mudguard]

Ok, so if I'm considering an air cooled model  say 84 PE175, 86 IT200, 86KDX200, is anyone a stand out above the rest?

[Trent Farlow]

I still have my 1999 Honda CRM250AR - one of the best bikes i have ever owned.

[Ted]

IT 200 S  86  Brilliant bike. Parts availability excellent. Just fit 20mm bar risers and slide the forks up 30mm to make it turn.

Don't own the other two. But I own a Kawasaki. If the KDX is anything like a KX avoid at all costs. Parts availability for a KX is hopeless.

At the recent Cookardinia Vinduro IT's numbers would have doubled all other brands combined.

[mudguard]

Thanks Ted. Good to know parts are available, need to take that into account.

[Nathan S]

KDX200 went until 2003, later in some third world countries (ie: NZ).

KDX200 is very easy to live with, parts wise. The pre-89 models are a PITA to get plastics for, but nothing else is a drama and DC stops it being a problem.
89-94 models have power valve dramas, but not yet too much of a problem.

[80-85 husky]

the PE's have good parts availability too I have just found out. (a mate has a 250Z) its a nice little bike to ride....

to ride I would pick the 84 kdx 200 if pre 85 is an issue or the IT490L (rare)

if not, the later 88 kdx is good but the 86 IT is probably slightly better due to better rear brakes.

depends on what you want to ride event wise....

[Ted]

One thing to remember is that if you are going to ride with VERI is that they include the 86 IT 200 in their Pre 85 criteria. Nothing worse than buying a model that you can't ride where or when you want.

[Nathan S]

I've said this before:
83-85 KDX200 compared 84-86 IT200, the IT has better brakes and suspension, the KDX has better engine and handling.
86 KDX vs 86 IT is a clear win to the green bike.

[Ted]

Nath I'm not selling IT 200's.

However after hearing what Joel said after getting off his broken 86 KDX 200 ( on the first lap ) and riding Daryls bog stock standard 84  IT 200 I am solely forming this opinion. He simply said the IT did everything better. I also rode Daryls 200 and thought it was a boat compared to my 200. The KDX stripped the gear shaft, exactly the same as my KX 500 had previously done. Try and buy a new one. You may say just put a good used one in. I wouldn't bother pulling the motor apart and fitting anything but a new one. Go to any of the aftermarket sites and check out availability of IT parts, mods and accessories and they will be ten fold of what is available for Kawasaki.

You saw the amount of IT's at Cookardinia as opposed to the KDX's. Sure the Kawasaki may or may not have been better but the question I would ask is " if they are so good where are they all now." Lying in bits waiting for parts would be my guess.

It is far easier to live with a Yamaha than a Kawasaki. As evidenced on the weekend, plenty agree.

[Nathan S]

Hmmm... That event was particularly heavily promoted on the IT forum, and they sold more ITs than KDXes back in the day (just like they sell more 4Ts than 2Ts today... ).

If old mate's KDX motor wasn't clearly superior, then either it was a very special IT or the was something wrong with the KDX.

Motor stuff is easy for a KDX because they were the same basic motor from 83 to 03. Stuff like rod kits were the same part all the way through (and shared with several years of KX125).
Shocks and forks are generic Kayaba stuff (83-88 rear shock is almost identical to floater RM125 among others), so there's no drama there.

Wheels don't have those stupid bloody Z-spokes.
KDXes don't crack barrels.

You don't need to be a midget to avoid feeling cramped on a KDX.

I'm not saying the IT is a shitbox, nor that the KDX is a perfect bike - they not have their strengths and weaknesses - and the KDX's strengths are more important to me.

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I know its not apples vs apples, but have a ride on my 89 KDX. You'll take the IT to Simmsmetal on the way home...