Maintenance & Technical > KX500 Original

Is this KX 500 for me?

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moburki:
Works great in the mountains, more useable torque at low rpms than anything I have ridden, you can really lug this motor.

NastyNick:
same with all the above, but we are biased :)  I would make one suggestion on a pipe.  Go with the FMF Gnarly Torque version.  It give its loads more power down low and it seemed help my woods/mountain riding and its still fun at the track and the dunes.

One thing I would also like to be more clear on.  Throttle control.  Learn it and give the K5 a lot more respect than you would any other bike.  The KX500 will hurt you if you disrespect it. ;)

Ramski:
My .02 cents.

Do yourself a favor and make sure you know what to check for when buying a used bike or for that matter a KX500.  I made the same mistake buying my 1999 KX500.  Check the top rear shock mount as they are prone to cracking and busting off.  Check your upper pipe mount while your at it too.

The KX500 makes a good trail bike if your out to just trail ride.  I would say if your serious about racing, the KX500 would not make a good race bike for the woods.  They just don't turn fast in tight stuff.  At least not for me.  I like the KX500 because you can be REAL lazy with the clutch and the motor is super smooth!

Learn to ride it in the highest gear possible and you'll love it!  The bike is super reliable compared to the newer four strokes.  Parts can be found all over the internet and Kawasaki dealers still carry all the parts.

They eat tires like cazy, but you'll have the muscle car of dirt bikes! :)

5dracing:
Find yourself a flywheel weight. that will help with the throttle control and also will make it an even better woods/trail machine. When I first rode my 99 I was wondering if I made a mistake buying the 500, After a few months I don't want to be without it. I find that when jumping the 500 I tend to go slow and the bike falls out of the jump, these landings are pretty hard, but you have to consider I'm 6'2" and 240lbs with all stock components. I rode last weekend with some guy's on 4 strokes and I found that after taking a break from riding I would wait to start the KX until allthe other guys got their bikes going again. The KX started first kick every time. The guys on the 4 strokes kicked about a half dozen times every time we stopped.


Can't wait for this day to be over. 20 gal of gas ready to go. I have the entire weekend to ride until the wheels fall off.... or I do!!!!!!

Kawadougie:
Danny is right about the KX500 not turning very well in the woods.  I do ride enduros with mine but I have an EFM auto clutch and have dropped the front forks 1" in the triple clamps which helps it turn a bit faster.  Try going leaner with the pilot jet.  Factory jetting is pretty fat on the bottom.

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