84 200x 12:1 Piston Question

[kdagenais]

Hello, I am in the middle of rebuilding my 84 200X and had the cylinder bored by my local shop and they ordered a 12:1 wiesco pistion set. My question is it worth it I just do mainly trail riding would like to have the power but from what I have been reading looks like reliability becomes a issue. They also told me it could run on 93 octane gas but have a feeling that won't be the case.
The other concern is overheating issues on long rides and kicker problems.
Just want some of your thoughts that have run this before I start assembly. One more thing seen a post awhile back about the kicker upgrade that was a second ratchet spring was cut down and added (Or something to that effect) if memory serves me correctly and am unable to locate it again. Would like to review this since I am tearing it down and my kicker slips some.

[oscarmayer]

it'll be fine. stock cam should be changed for either a web stage1 minimum or xr200. use an upgraded carb (xr200) and a performance exhaust. if your not doing those things, then do not go any higher than a 10.25:1 weisco.

overheating won't be an issue with proper tuning

[DixiePlowboy]

, then do not go any higher than a 10.25:1 weisco.

Your right foot will thank you....lol.

I ran a 12:1 in an '84 X about 8 years ago. I used AV gas and had no problems, though it did seem to get pretty warm on slow trails in the summer.

I didn't have any problems with the kicker slipping, but a kick-back will put your ankle into your chin

[brapp]

i had a 12:1 aQND COULDNT KEEP KICKER KNUCKLE3S IN ONE PIECE. AND I HAD TO RUN VP RACE FUEL JUST SO IT WOUDL NOT DETONATE AND HASD A AFTERMARKET CAM BUT I WILL STRONGLY RECCOMENT MAKE SHURE YOUR CRANK IS IN GREAT CHAPE BEFORE YOU PUT THAT KINDA PRESSUR EON IT .

[rdlsz24]

Sounds like a pain in the rear to me lol. I put a 10.25:1 Wiseco in mine. Seems like stock, which is what I was after.

Rob

[oscarmayer]

the biggest issue is did they properly prep the piston for install? a new piston out of the box is not ready for install, you must prep it by taking a file and gently filing off the sharp edges around the valve releifes and edges of the raised areas on the piston. then you take some sand paper and smooth everything over (220 grit usually) and even ensure you touch the areas you didn't file a shiny piston is NOT whata combuston chamber wants to look at. shinny causes puddeling and detonation. i imagine those having issues with a 12:1 didn't prep them correctly. i have 2 bikes with 12:1 and no issues at all. again it;'s all in the proper prep work. then you must have the supporting mods. my 200e has a 12:1 and runs 93 pump, but i do ensure it's tuned right and running correctly. 12:! is fine on 93 as long as you know how to tune the carb. if your racing and runnign a lot of wot runs, then you do need to move to 98+ octane fueling. but for most riding and trail stuff 93 is fine.

[brapp]

actualy we used a baking soda blaster and blastewd the top of the piston and alsop relived it for the bigger valves for clearance. and trus tme the tips and tricks were all done to it as it was built back when i wa sin highschool and one of the mechanics at east coast atv.

[kdagenais]

I decided to go back to the 10.25 piston just don't have to patients to tinker with it. Just want something to jump on and go riding with the kids and stay with typical Honda reliabilty that I am accustomed to. The power would be nice but if I am giving up reliabilty its not worth it to me.

[oscarmayer]

yea the 10.25 will be fine. you still should look at a better exhaust and carb though. a ebay xr200 carb and dg exhaust will do wonders for it. probelby an extra 2+hp and tq as well as open up the mid and top ranges a ton!!! also consider a K&N filter.