Maintenance & Technical > KX500 Original
KX5 Resale Value
Rick:
Folks are just afraid of the big 500, so demand is low. Last weekend, I spent more time on my sons 2005 KX250, and while it's fun to ride (with the best stock suspension I have ever felt), I feel like I'm riding an 80. On top of that, 5th gear comes along way to soon, even with the new 48 tooth sprocket (I'm going to go with a 45 tooth this weekend just for giggles).
Interestingly enough, my 15 year old had a great time riding the 500 when we switched bikes. His comment: This thing has power everywhere. Just twist the throttle and you go. No clutch. He now wants a 250 and a 500 (yea right).
The good news is once you get the beast dialed in for corners and high speed, it's tough to find a better machine.
Rick
Minnetonka_Mark:
I started looking for a KX500 in August of 2004. I bought a barely ridden 2002 for $2500 in September. Even though I bought one I've continued to closely watch the KX500 market. I agree that the demand is very low. I've followed numerous low price KX500 For Sale ads. They are renewed month after month. No buyers.
I have a friend who's a walking, talking motorcycle authority. He sez that my KX500 is a great big obsolete bike that I should get rid of. He can barely stand to look at it. That same sentiment may be felt by many others.
Personally, I like mine. I plan to install a Magura hydraulic clutch, kickstand, and a UFO dual sport light kit (the version with flush mount turn signals). I really, really want to update the seat and plastic. It does look like a 1980's bike. Kawasaki should have updated the styling years ago. Since they did not update the styling the bike has a reputation of being completely (i.e. suspension, engine, etc...) unchanged since it was first introduced. That is only partially correct. In any case, motorcyle people are frequently technology fanatics. As such they avoid anything with even a hint of obsolesence.
KX500 fanatics are a small group.
mikesmith:
Congradulations on not being a "follower" and getting the BIG KX!The Ty Davis kit helps update the bike in looks,but its kind of fun to see peoples faces after they get smoked by a "great big obsolete bike",just ask Destry Abbott!
gwcrim:
I think everyone I know has told me I'm nuts for riding a 500. Even guys that used to ride them. Most guys can't even start one. They have a reputation as a hard to start death machine. I'll admit that you have to know the correct starting technique, but I think it's like riding a pussy cat.
Last weekend I took mine camping at a cabin with my wife's cousins and uncles as they prepared for deer season. They're ages (maybe 12 of them) are 27-55 or so and all of them have had dirtbikes, though now they're all quad heads. They're also all tough blue collar types and I'm a cushy stockbroker. I told them all if they could start it they could ride it. Three tried. All failed. I get it going with one kick if it's warm. They all try to leg kick it like you would a 125. :D I use the full body kick and she fires right up.
Ramski:
In my opinion, the only people that can bash a KX500 are the squids out there. Anyone who knows dirt bikes will tell you the KX500 didn't last as long as it did for nothing. When it comes to desert racing, there is NO OTHER bike out there that can match it! In recent years, I don't know of any other bike that has overalled a National Hare & Hound besides a Team Green KX500, Russ Pearson YZ450 or Ty Davis and his YZ426s. You'll still see KX500s in the desert for many more years.
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