Maintenance & Technical > KX500 Original

First Enduro

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umberto:

--- Quote from: Pmcg on September 17, 2018, 02:37:05 AM ---     Well I've got to be honest.  I got my Ass Kicked in this enduro.  DNF.  I'm not happy about my performance.  The trails were tight.  Very tight.  PA tight rocky single track.  I was not able to get the bike out of first for most of it.  I banged my bars off of every tree imaginable.  After the first 90 minutes I had arm pump like never before, and had a hard time opening my hand to use the clutch, making feathering it impossible.
      It would be easy to blame the bike, but I know I should have ridden more up to the race, and that I was riding poorly and never found a rhythm.  I'm debating what to do next.  I could get the suspension set, auto clutch, and set up my spare cylinder for more low end.  I wasn't ever lacking power, I just couldn't get the bike to move around enough.  At that point I'm spending around 2k on the bike.
    I got lots of looks and everyone said I was crazy to run a race that tight with the 500.  I looked at specs on a friends 08 KLX450r and his bike is actually heavier!  My riding buddy says I would have finished on his bike but I'm not sure.  If his bike is heavier how in the world would it have been easier to lug around the single track?
     I love the 500 and am addicted to the power.  I also really liked the enduro and have to figure out if I can make the 500 work, or if I need a different bike. 

--- End quote ---
I put the EFM clutch on my bike, and it made a world of difference in the tight stuff.  The clutch pull is beyond light if you need to slip the clutch too; maybe a pinkie finger to use it.  The trails we ride on are tight single track, and it works so well that I sometimes forget I'm riding a 500.  I think it mellows out the bottom end hit a little bit, which would allow you to add a tooth to the back sprocket if you wanted to.  Plus it never stalls unless you try really hard.  It's a bit expensive, and requires some modification to the back brake pedal and clutch cover (be sure to leave the an extra 1/2" in when you modify the cover), but I have not regretted it one bit so far.

WRXBRUMBY:

--- Quote from: sandblaster on September 17, 2018, 03:08:07 AM ---Get a clutch puller arm that is 20% longer then stock.
Alex Ward and Jason Tanner make them.
It pulls 20% easier then stock.
Of course the auto clutch would be amazing but I'd still do the puller arm.
You can cut yours and weld in a piece but be careful about going much longer then 20% or it won't work.
If your bars are stock I would cut a full inch off of both ends of the bars.
Way easier in the trees.
The steering will be a bit quicker as well..

Ride ride ride works best for arm pump :-)

--- End quote ---

You have a link to the arm sandblaster? It sounds like it would only increase the enjoyment of a radius x.

From experience, the 650 berg I own was a little twitchy before I put the Rekluse on it and like umberto said it really mellowed out the hit once installed. I can’t wait to sort out the avenue of a 2 piece clutch cover and see how the Rekluse goes on the K5.

Pmcg I used to have to hook my fingers over the clutch and pull it in with my arm instead of pulling it with my fingers due to my arm pump, it was a laugh a minute hehe. I wished I had the Radius x for it back then but all they had was the Core EXP that would make you lose clutch plates from the pack.

We have some great options now with no sacrifices but I suppose it just depends on your wallet. For me personally I will spend what it takes to keep me on the KX500. But that 20% arm would be a start. Did you check out the Clake lever?

Pmcg:
Well I made the move.  I sold the 500 and picked up an 08 KLX450R.  The 450 already had the suspension set to my weight and the Rekluse installed.  I only get out once a week, and the 2 times I've taken the 450 I've been twice as fast with half the effort.  I am sure with a revalved suspension and Rekluse in the 500 I would have been close, but I bought the 450 for what I sold the 500 for, so no additional cash.  My riding is all tight rocky woods.  If I ever get the chance to ride more open fire roads and desert I would pick up another 500 in a heart beat.  For now its auto start and auto clutch for me!

umberto:
There’s no law that says you can’t have two (or more) dirt bikes.  :evil:

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