KX80 Engine Opinions Wanted

John Wehrheim · Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2001 11:05 am Post subject: KX80 Engine Opinions Wanted

Curtis:
What I do know is that 95% of the 80cc racers run Honda due to the experience on blueprinting and porting. My recommendation is stay with Honda. You will be ahead in the short term and long term. If you start to run regional or nationally, I believe you will be at an immediate disadvantage with horsepower and part availability at the races.

Ian Jones · Joined: 20 Aug 2001 Posts: 154

O.k. here it goes, I hope I don't get called any names today, but I think I can help. I tried the KX about three years ago(against my better judgement- so I guess I really am a bone head). I put a lot of effort into it and had one of the top engine guys do his best on it. Had custom pipe fitted because of the lack of any good one available. I really wanted to try something different and win with a KX. It was pretty fast, and I was able to win at the club track with it. It was as strong as any average CR, but not as fast as a good CR.I also felt the pain on the bigger sprint tracks. Short and tight I was O.K. Long I was dead. I won a few races, but also felt I lost a few due to a power dissadvantage. Nothing huge, but a couple of tenths maybe. To make a long story short most all developement goes into the CR so getting a KX takes away a lot of trial and error on other peoples part. If you go to a track with a KX you have to be prepared to figure most everything out on your own. You won't be able to ask a gear ratio for a track and throw it on. It won't be right. If your only going to get a few practices and your still trying to get into the ball park, this matters. If you break something you'd better have your own spares. With a CR chances are you could probably beg, borrow or steal a part if you had the need. I would stay with the CR due to the reasons stated.

Al Michka · Joined: 18 Jul 2001 Posts: 40 Location: Houston,Texas

if you want to run in the back the kx80 is the right engine. if you are looking for the cheapest entry into the shifter class it may serve your purpose, but very soon you will be tired of running in the back and want the honda. you are better off skipping the kx80 and buying a honda.

Ian Jones · Joined: 20 Aug 2001 Posts: 154

Let me add that I think in STOCK form a CR would be a better choice then a KX. My KX had like 17h.p. stock and my CR was at 21h.p. stock.

Curtis Bosarge · Joined: 18 Jul 2001 Posts: 28 Location: Des Allemands, La.

Looking to put my son in an 80cc Shifter next season. Our local shop has a Gold Typhoon with stock KX80 power. Anyone have experience with the KX80, good, bad or otherwise. I'm interested in stock engine comparisons, KX, CR, YZ. Can the KX hang, is it reliable, upgradable when the time comes? Parts (OEM & Aftermarket) pricing / availability Vs CR / YZ? Who is the KX Guru?

Thanks,

Curtis

Curtis Bosarge · Joined: 18 Jul 2001 Posts: 28 Location: Des Allemands, La.

Wow! What an eye-opener. Thanks for confirming what I was told by the one person that I know who runs the KX80. This forum is invaluable in helping people in may ways. Also in not throwing money away. I will go with a CR80.

Thanks much,

Curtis