Racer X Films: 1990 KX250 (Project 90)
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- Опубліковано 30 вер 2024
- Bike build and text by Steve Matthes
Video by Matt Francis
I’d been thinking about getting out from behind my laptop and back into the garage for a while. I never had a ’90 KX250 (I raced Hondas back then), but something about this space-age-for-its-time machine has always intrigued me. When this bike originally came out, it looked like nothing else out there, so I wanted to see what I could do with one. With a bit of work and some help from the following companies, here’s what we came up with.
Dunlop
MX 32 Front (80/100-21)
MX 32 Rear (110/90-19)
www.dunloptires.com
Works Connection
Rear Caliper Guard
Works Stand
www.worksconnection.com
Race Tech
Front and Rear Suspension Re-Valve/Coatings
www.racetech.com
Dubya USA
Talon/Excel Wheel Set
www.dubyausa.com
Pro Circuit
Works Pipe
Factory Silencer
www.procircuit.com
Ringmaster Images
Shroud Stickers
www.ringmasterimages.com.au
BTO Sports
UFO Plastic
Uni-Filter
www.btosports.com
Sudco
Keihin PWK 38mm Carburetor
www.sudco.com
Guts Racing
Seat Foam
www.gutsracing.com
Athena
Complete Gasket Kit
www.athenaparts.com
Babbitt’s Kawasaki
OEM Parts
www.babbittsonline.com
Crazy part is.....that's enough bike for 90 percent of the people who ride.
My favourite bike of all time, and i am not even a kawi fan. My older brother was sponsored by Kawasaki in 1990 he was 15, i still remember when we took it to the track for the first time i was 8 and he doubled me around the track at full speed. 27 years later it's still the fastest i have ever gone on a motorcycle. So this bike is what started my passion/addiction for Motocross.
God I fucking love motorcycles!
The First 250 2 Stroke I ever rode was a 1990 KX250, I rode it and was surprised how good it was, have since owned 250 2t's and ridden many others, and that bike really isn't that far behind, if behind at all. Cool stuff.
Dusted off my tools for other guys to work on it for me
Lol right? He tightened a few bolts here and there haha. He's like yea dusted off the tools and so and so did the engine and this guy did the shocks and so forth. Lol I thought the same thing.
+tyler t Bullshit, did my own motor on my 03 RM 250
+tyler t then why do I have a 85 yz engine tore to the crank and why do they sell fork seal driver kits come on dude really?? what rebuilds the bike a machine...no anytime anything is built on a bike its a set of hands even if u take it to a shop which most shop mechanics know less than the guy taking the bike to them haha
+tyler t Wow! I an unique! /s flic.kr/s/aHskktQ4dw flic.kr/p/ABiEvS
***** Lol, trying to wiggle your way out are you? Keep digging.
I like how they kept it original looking
So I went down to the garage, dusted off my tools, and called people to fix the bike for me.
yeah exactly man...."so i got back to being a (wannabe) mechanic" WTF Dude "i havent been on a 2 stroke since 98" I wish these 4 stroke lovers would stay in the closet where they belong
🤣🤣🤣🤣
That Is wicked awesome!! We need more of these... Like a Bradshaw bike... A Ricky Johnson bike...Jeff Ward 500. A series of replica bikes built and tested very cool
I love the 500 idea. Wouldn't mind seeing a 95 McGrath CR250, 03 Ricky Carmichael CR250, Emig's KX, the Dogger's works Honda RC250… There's so many cool bikes that could be replicated. Hell, I'd like to do Nick Wey's number 27 '05 MDX CR250. Cycle trader, here I come.
I had a '95 KX 250. Loved it. Always liked the 1990's KX bikes. Wishbone frame was a trend setter of the era. No other bike on the track back then looked as cool as the Kawi's.
Flynfireman29 The green frame is great too. The paint wears out from boot-rub but I think they make frame protectors for them that come in green which would blend in nicely.
I had a 91 KX 250, pretty much the same bike. I got mine from a salvage yard and I did the same thing, stripped it down to the frame and started from there. Between Amazon, and Ebay I was able to have a fun project and it ripped when it was done.
Do the honda cr 250 1990
3:24 queers listen carefully!!! 2 strokes are for real men!! 4 strokes are for lazy riders. I own both and love both but riding the 2 stroke is a thrill like no other!!!!
U said bro, truth be told!!!
4 strokes are for pussys and there's no doubt about it
+TrollMaster300 TRUTH!! IMO, 4 strokes in AMA mx exist for one reason. POLITICS. The organizations were forced to comply with big brother's lying ass phony "green" plans. Looking back at the big scheme you can see how they did it. They started sprinkling in 450's with the 250's knowing they would lap faster(naturally with an engine that is nearly DOUBLE in displacement) so as to get riders to start wanting to change in order to make it look like riders initiated the whole switcheroo. BS, put 250 two strokes with 250 4's and it would have never worked. Very clever those bureaucrats. Only a politician can make the senselessness of switching from an engine that is inherently better to that is more expensive, heavier, more complicated, less powerful etc seem like a good idea. That's their expertise.. to sell lies as truth in the name of a phony agenda.
TrollMaster300 z that's your lazy cuz you ride a 4 stroke as well plus it does not Matterwhat stroke it is it should be dirt bikes are for real men not 2 strokes or 4 stroke geez I am sick of you people saying that
Jim Hinson 450's have WAY more power actually
It is so nice to see the old bikes being resurrected and ran on the track
💚 I had the '91 KX125....awesome bike....... and now I restoring my '91 KX250...I love it 💚
Sick bikes, even sicker gear.
BRING BACK THE 90s!
Gotta love booger green. 😃.
Yes!
@@larndelaney7848 I'm trying to find a decent kdx200 😀🤔
@@slyrbaby yeah, great bike! I am in Australia and currently trying to find out if I can race my 1990 kx 250. The bike is about to have it's very first piston change from factory!I bought it from the 3rd owner.its done more dust collecting than riding and was still on factory piston when I got it.I trail rode it for about a year,then one ride I noticed a power drop which progressively got worse and worse,till I pulled the barrel off and discovered a highly worn piston and ring! Lol 2018 and it's getting first piston change!👍🤘😁 Hope you find a good kdx brother,they were an awesome trail bike,still would be!
@@larndelaney7848 Nice! I'm in California, USA. 29 now, been trail-riding 20+ yrs. I'm on my 3rd bike. It's actually an '81 KDX 175 - made 79-81 so a bit uncommon. Haven't ridden in a year. I gotta get out again & make people wince when this 37 yr old bike passes them. When I got it years back my dad put a .040 over Wiseco piston. Runs good but I'm ready for it to be a backup bike because I'd like something a bit faster for the more open trails. 13/52 gearing & a trials tire helps me get up most any hill. I'm looking for a good pre-2003 200-300.
Where do they get the money for this shit?
Obama
+Nick Joslin They have sponsors that help out
Racer X magazine sales and advertising. Not to mention these guys know people in every corner of the industry, which helps a a lot.
one of the coolest models ever
I had 90 kx125 & that was my favorite bike of all time. my son just got a 93kx250 that we are rebuilding & hoping it's going to be a good bike.
Sweet video. The 125 and 250cc shootouts of 1990 were the first I checked out in the mags and I think I watched every round on TV that year. Love the throwback tests!
Me to! Dirt Rider 250mx shootout was the first dirt bike mag I ever got in 1990. Use to love the shootouts, even tho I was too young to know what any of that shit really meant :)
It's crazy how riding styles had changed since 25 years!!!
2 strokes are Motocross - period.
The guy that rode it before nick wey has nasty riding style
jojo dashosh wow you're stupid... that was the pro they were talking about who raced the original bike. of course he isn't going to be equal with the current riders, he also said the last time he was on a 2 stroke was 16yrs ago.... -__-
Nathan Stevenson y
Im stupid because he looks funny when he rides... you're stupid for thinking a riding style changes from 2 stroke to 4 stroke
jojo dashosh the engine and handling characteristics are totally different you dumb ass, that causes riding style to be different.
+jojo dashosh Lol @ 2t & 4t bikes are ridden the same. Look at 2:35, he's trying to square off the corner like you would on a 4t. No dice on a 2t unless its a big-bore or with some serious clutch-work.
Still a good bike 28yrs later and has a modern look too
Great job Steve keep it going with something older like a Bob Hannah bike then let him ride it and we can hear how he could smoke everybody racing today cause he has a real mans bike.
i have a 1990 kx 250 and im doing it up now!
same here
Same but 91
+Daniel Ortiz Yamaha dealership?
ebay, Might take awhile till you see everything you need
Ebay helped me big time with my old 1983 Yz125 but I think its time for a bigger bike
Jetting is on point.Crisp.Sones absolute awesome
hahaha i love the honesty of nick.
You guys should do something with the kx/cr 500 in the future though.
That bike looks beautiful. It so cool to hear it on the track.
i used to race a 1992 kx125, loved that bike. Gorgeous. Always wish i had it back
I have a 1990 kx125 I still love riding it.
PlayStation is still better than Xbox.
Ace vid and bike. I rode RMs…loved em.
The"chicken". I was about 8 when I saw his video, "how to whip".
absolutely stunning!!! what a gorgeous machine
can wait for that moment when i finish rebuilding my 90 250kx.
I'm doing a 99 kx250 and all I have left is spokes in the rear rim and I'm done 3 weeks tearing down to the frame.
All im waiting on is a fuel petcock for mine and im set lol i rebuilt it and filled the tank up only to notice a leak 💧
Anyone know what track that is?
Awesome job, looks great !!! I am currently doing up a 89 yz250 and a 89 wr250, it's alot of work but will damn sure be worth it. 2 strokes all the way !!! braaaaaaaaaaap !!!
That bike looks amazing
Im about to ''MAYBE'' buy a 1990 Kx250 tomorrow. New piston, New cylinder, All gasket and bearings are new and so on. Has a Pro circuit system on it.
The guy wants 14500 Sek / 1 337 US dollars for it. I have never owned a Kx in my whole life. Only Honda and Yamaha. Is that a good deal and is it a good bike?
Cheers.
I have a 1989 KX 250 and it is a fast as hell bike. accelerates way faster then my freinds 2005 yz 250. his bike tops out slightly higher. but stil some impressive engineering for the time.
Stunning bike, I would take that over any modern 4 stroke bike any day of the week.
the noise, the design, its a thing of beauty.
4:28 - nice. ;)
Bike looks awesome too. Having restored a couple myself, I can relate to the passion.
Nice job!! Nothing like the old two strokes. Thanks for sharing!
The PulpMX Show......Go listen......Do it
My first mx mags were from 1990. This got me started!
i think its awesome when they tidy up old bikes like this reminds me of the videos i use to watch as a kid
Je suis en train de restauré cette moto,
je cherche donc un maximum de pièces détachées pour kx 250 91,
si vous pouvez me donner le maximum de sites ou je peux m'en procuré, ce serait sympa.
merci
WOW s many memories. In my time I ride several KXs and my last 2 stroke was a 2002 CR250. That was back n 2004. I was a big fan of Jeff Ward and his KX250 & KX500. Am currently working with my kid and if he push hard and get good grades in school, I be getting him a KLX110 so he can start feeding that dirt devil.
nick wey picked up my 91 cr250 little over a year ago for brian barnhart, think it will ever end up in an episode? would be awesome to see it again
Raced a 1991 kx125 for a few years they do feel small but you can throw em around like a bmx bike !! Fixed it up for my wife and I stick with my 07 kx250 2 stroke but I still love to ride the old 125 such a fun bike
The frame flexed after about a season. When you exited right hand turns the combination of frame flex and huge hit would turn the bike left. It totally sucked in ruts, always climbing out of them because the rear wheel went so many different directions. The motor was awesome, and when new the bike was super stiff. You just needed to throw the frame away after a number of races. Mine ended its life with a Klemm 300 kit and a big flywheel. Did not significantly change the character, but it would run past CR500’s on long straights.
why down an old bike. my 1983 kx 250. is 50 hp- and still shreds new bikes. ya 2 strokes and 4 strokes. I've won a ton of money with that bike in the last 14 years I've owned it!
My sister bought a brand new 1990 kx80 BW right from Woodbury powersports. It was a screamer for sure. Loved that bike
Great project to take on
Would love to buy a pipe like this! even on pro circuit i cant find any for 1990😔
I know he was joking, but... can you actually race anaheim with that year of bike?
any info on where I can get a decking/ timing tool for a 1992 kx250
I found one for 600 but it needs a new cylinder. What years will 94?
I've always liked the '88 CR250's.
I'd pay a million dollars to see someone qualify at a pro national on this bike...lol.
How much would it cost to get someone to build a bike identical to this one?
Bring on the 1986 RC500 David Bailey replica!
I have a kx 250 1991 and here in BRAZIL is very difficult to find the parts of it. Wanted to leave my beautiful , have any tips ? Fairing where to find to replace ?
Two of by favorite riders. I miss meeting Chicken when he came to South Woods Motocross in z Monticello NY back in the day. He had just signed with Team Kawasaki from Team Green and was seeking his box trailer. The rest is history.
Nick Wey I became a fan of Adam he was racing the National Arenacross series. I met Nick in Baltimore MD I the riders/press room and chatted him up. I was in AWE like I am with most top Pros and Nick was bummed about his finish. I'm like dude, there's guys that race SX that can't qualify for an AX main...it's as separate from SX as SX is from motocross.
I loved seeing the ex Pro and the current Pro on the same bike same track. You don't get to witness that kind of history very often.
Braaap on boys, much luv. 🙏💕😎😎🙏💕
Nick Wey!!
:18 420
Yadiel Santana good eye lol
hi. what a tattoo Jaff "Chicken" on the back ????? I need to know.
anyone know how many mph these things go
It is moto!!!
I'm from Brazil
Very interesting video!you should do it even whit other brands and other years of bikes,like cr 89 ecc...
It's missing the Camel decals
Ha i ment eligible and EVO not ECO lol
I had one at the time they were new, very good bike 👌
Iv still got a frame and some plastic from back in day loved that bike hurt me the worst but it did things I wasn't able for lol great bike stil love the distinctive sound Happy memories
👍👍👍😜🏴🎣😁🤞🤞
MX bike life cycle:1. Off the dealer floor bought by a guy with more money than brains.2. Sold by first guy (didn't fit his riding style) to second guy who worked 3 jobs and stole from his girl just to get a sweet deal on a barely used bike.3. Sold to third guy who just wants something to blast around on his ranch with. Second guy couldn't afford parts and labor to keep bike in racing condition (girlfriend is knocked up).4. Third guy breaks collarbone shooting vid for UA-cam (check out Fail Army). Bike sits in shed for 8 years until neighbor kid notices it.5. Neighbor kid saves up enough yard money to buy from Third guy and tears down bike for a complete rebuild. 6. Neighbor kid's mom get sick of boxes of motorcycle in her garage and puts bike for sale on Craigslist.7. Fifth guy with more money than brains sees add and gets nostalgic, buys bike and dumps way too much money into it.For the record I have been both Third guy and Fifth guy!
1993 kx250 was the best bike...hasnt been a good kx since then
Hey can anyone help me find the exhaust system for a 1991 kx250 because they are absolutely nowhere to be found at all?
I'm not 100% sure but I think Pro Circuit offers a pipe and silencer
I would have it if its 89' and emigible for eco racing here in UK. Got CR 250 89' as rebuild to as new.
you know some thing they really need to do that will the biggest project that you could see from recer x is to buy 2004 250cc four stroke to do a small shoot out or bike review or project bike
I bought the bike off of Craigslist for $600 and rebuilt it.Meanwhile I sent the bike to a mechanic to fix it but I'll take the credits.
Love my '88 KX250!!! Kawi all the way!!!
Wish mine looked as good as this one tho!
Can anyone tell me where he got the exhaust system from? I cannot find that system for a 1990 kx250. Or maybe its a pipe for a different year that has been retro-fitted. If so what year exhaust system is that? Thanks
This was a great bike for the time and great bike to choose to do a rebuild on! Your bike looks awesome too! I sure miss the 2-stroke and the racing that the 2-strokes provided as entertainment and its nice to see these guys still have a good time riding them.
I'm sorry, the 4-strokes are fantastic bikes and I ended my amateur career on a 4-stroker in 2002 but the racing for the last 10+ years has mostly boring due the tracks and I think the bikes need to be smaller displacement again.
The 1990 KX's for the time had decent handling for a KX model, the frame was the first perimeter frame to make it to production which was a big deal obviously. Both the 125 and 250 had really strong motors in 1990 compared to the competition. Very punchy midrange on the 250 from what I remember and the 125 had a strong mid-top powerband. I put some heavier springs front and rear on my 125, put on some McGrath replica frame guards on, 100% clearcoat every piece of plastic :) and it was ready to race. Only issue with the 125 that I had I think the frame cracked on one or both sides where the lower shock mount attached.
Thanks for sharing your bike with us. If there is anything that might get me ride again, its seeing bikes like this again.
Old bikes are so sexy😍
I bought a 1990 kx 125 the same time you started your rebuild. I finished mine up last fall and made it bone stock for enduro/woods racing. What did you do about the 41 mm stock front forks as no fork springs are available for that year? Bike looks sick. I would like to find out how you got new radiator shroud stickers?
Its pretty small sooo...if you push the envolope youll probly crash hard!!! Hahahaha nick is brutally honest and really funny!!!
Ots insane to think that they went so fast on those back then, then you ride a bike from that era, and with a few modwrn bike parts (lighter wheels, hubs, better brakes, newer/tuner suspension) and it would make anyone think twice about the four stroke thing!!!
first video me and my bro ever watched was Iam no chicken taught us how to take the berms..And that Bike was probably alot different than a factory 90
That looks mint , awesome job guys , you should do an old 4 stroke build like a 01 - 04 yz250f would be interesting to see the difference between power and handling . Should do it to compare with these days bikes since every one rides 4 strokes ;)
very cool! Love the bike. should do some rebuilds like this for a 2000 yz 250 and another kx 250 but 1997. those bikes are really good. i bet the testers would be amazed at what those bikes were.
Steve, That thing is beautiful! Some passion obviously went into it. Congrats to you, and Berlute.
Nice seeing Steve mathers back used to watch his bike bandit videos no he's turned real lazy behind a computer
Where did you get the front disk guard for it? I can't find it anywhere! Should I just get a generic one and modify it?
WEY YOU RULE BROTHEr!! Champ iin my eyes
valley motorsports best kawi dealership. in the east coast.
cAN someONE tell what's the RAL color code for this frame?
Go for the KIWI Green looks like a better match m.vitalmx.com/forums/Old-School-Moto,22/90s-kawi-frame-ral-colour,1303361
I’d love to have a restored 93 kx. I raced these in the 90s and I loved the flatter, skinny seat of the 92 and 93 models
where do i buy the engine rebuild kit for my 1990 KX 250?
Crazy how fast the old pros still are. JM has to be I his late 40's at least
Where can i get a Pro Circuit Pipe for my Kx250 1990? I found nothing...
+TheDoctorPi did you get an answer to your request ? i'm searching it too
+raphael schmit No... Nothing... I will make a new exhaust myself because the original is damaged
I had 1a 1999 Suzuki rm80 and there was only 2 fmf pipes left in the world that would fit it. So good luck dude
+David pelkey Bullshit ^^^^
hey i recently took on a kx250 1990 project. I have a question about the bike while its in gear and clutch not pulled in. The bike rolls with some resistance but it rolls. My 2007 crf450r wont roll at all in gear unless i pull the clutch in.
Have a 93 and and I felt that when he said eBay is definitely my friend😂 like the only damn place I can find parts I meed