Just bought 2004 KX 250

[Charlie500]

Just picked the bike up today for 2 grand. I've been looking for something good for single track Oregon trail ridding. I sold my 500 to shlepy a while back to help out with the down payment on our house up here and ever since I've felt naked without a bike. I just couldn't pull the trigger on a new ktm. I spotted this thing on Craigslist and couldn't pass it up.

I purchased it from the original owner who rarely rode it. The gentleman was in his early 50s and obsiously took good care of the bike.

When I got it home I changed the oil, gas, and cleaned the air filter. I noticed it still has the stock air filter. (One thing I'll order) I was pleased to notice none of the fasteners for the plastics or drain plug were stripped.

I fired the bike up, started 4th or 5th kick. Let it warm up and took it for a rip around the 2.5 acres we have. Boy does this bike rip! I was completely surprised with the amount of power this bike has.

I've got a few plans for it... Factory Connection suspension, ims tank, new plastics, graphics, tires and hand guards etc.

I'm just amazed at the amount of power these 250's have got.

[Charlie500]

Is there a good lighting coil any body could recommend for these bikes?

[motoguy46]

http://www.steahlyoffroad.com/lighting/kawasaki-kx-250-98-08-lighting-stator-1.html

thats who i would call..good luck

[motoguy46]

oh and congrats on the 04.. it looks clean

[Jlucero]

Yeah buddy!  That thing looks sweet!!!

[Charlie500]

Do these bikes benifet from the reed spacer like the 500 does? Also, what's the best gearing for trail riding?

[don46]

looks like a nice clean bike, for some reason it looks more 03ish than 04, maybe the ripples in the frame down by the footpegs, for some reason I was thinking the 04 was smooth and the 03 was rippled, but then my memory isn't as good as it used to be.

[sandblaster]

Don46 memory is spot on.
The 03 had the ripples and 04 didn't...

[Charlie500]

looks like a nice clean bike, for some reason it looks more 03ish than 04, maybe the ripples in the frame down by the footpegs, for some reason I was thinking the 04 was smooth and the 03 was rippled, but then my memory isn't as good as it used to be.

I don't know, the pink slip says 2004

[don46]

ok, so now i'm not sure of my memory, I looked at some pictures of 250's I had and looking at what I remember as an 04 it had the ripples, but heck it could be the 03. forget everything I said because i'm second guessing myself

[Foxx4Beaver]

I had an 04..but I cannot remember if it had ripples either....but this site shows the 04 does NOT,and the 03 DOES.

http://motodacross.com/kawasaki/kx250.htm

[Charlie500]

I had an 04..but I cannot remember if it had ripples either....but this site shows the 04 does NOT,and the 03 DOES.

http://motodacross.com/kawasaki/kx250.htm

I see that, but also have a look at the swing arms

[sandblaster]

looks like a nice clean bike, for some reason it looks more 03ish than 04, maybe the ripples in the frame down by the footpegs, for some reason I was thinking the 04 was smooth and the 03 was rippled, but then my memory isn't as good as it used to be.

I don't know, the pink slip says 2004

Take a look at the VIN stamped on the head tube.
If the 10th digit is  4 then it is an 04.
If it is a 3 then it's an 03.

I have only parted out a few 03 and 04.
The 03s I've parted had the ripples and the 04s didn't, but hey, that is only a very small sampling of what Kawasaki has made  

[motoguy46]

03 and 04 has dimples..05 on doesn't have them..04 has the hole to mount the linkage to the sqingarm..the03 ARM doesn't

[Foxx4Beaver]

unbelievably I found a pic of my 04 the day I bought it brand new...had'nt even pulled it outa the truck yet to fire it up.





...not the best pics...I had to take a pic of a pic.
Consider this a "done deal".