Maintenance & Technical > KX500 Original

Is the K5 outdated?

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machine:
I ride a 04' KX5, and my Bro-in-law rides a 04' KTM450 MXC (KTM's desert bike) He has a "6" speed tranny, and I can still smoke him with the
"older" style KX5.

And the KX5 is lighter then all the new 4 strokes out there.

I wish I had 3, or 4 of them!!!!

Flattracker60:
I've got a 2002 KX500 I can't seem to give away. I'm at $2500 and still have the bike. It is lowered 3" for ice riding, would need $200 worth of suspension mods to be brought back up to stock mx trim. The bike is like new!!! 715-340-8900, I'm in Wisconsin.

Later

jeffdodson:
I have an 87 kx-500 that i ride nearly everyday. I race it in MX and harescrambles. It is definately not light like the new bikes but who needs light when you can blow them away. I have two other bikes that my wife and son ride, KTM pro senior 50 and CR 125R . They are nowhere near as dependable as my old 87 KX5

machine:

--- Quote from: jeffdodson --- race it in MX and harescrambles. It is definately not light like the new bikes.

Well After my bro-in-law, and friend who ride a 04' KTM450
And a YZF426, ride my KX5 both say that they're bikes are heavier then mine??????????   :?
--- End quote ---

KXcam22:
I think the term "light" needs some definition.  If you matched up the KX to any new 450 4-stroke I think you would find the KX would be almost the same physical weight or a touch lighter.  In terms of handling, the newer bike have had years of development time over the KX. While the KX handles excellent, the newer bikes might turn a touch better, tuck in a touch better and feel a touch lighter.  In a highly competitive MX or supercross situation, these all add up to an advantage.  In wider-open type riding and racing, stability and power reign supreme (KX country).  Even in MX racing, the more wide-open the track the better the KX is suited for it  If the track is arenacross based, you might end up with a quite a few cut-and-thrust 250's diving under you in each corner with not enough straightaway to get it back.  On a wider, more traditional track with longer straights the KX is at home.  The old Carslbad Ca. track I raced at in '79 would have been KX country.  It's been said before but the KX has a huge versatility factor over most bikes even the 2006.  Try to build a cross-county racer out of the new KXF450.  Would take some money to get around that 4-speed!  Stock the KX has a huge gear range, high stock top speed and a tank large enough to go 60 miles or more.  I once won an MX race on the KX while stuck in 3rd gear.  It stuck in 3rd in practise with no time to fix so I raced both motos in 3rd.  Long start and shorts straights so I got 2 holeshots and 2 moto wins.  Not too many bikes could let you do that.  After all this rambling, my final thought is "It's not so much the weapon but what you can do with it".  So no matter what the 2007 or 2008 lineup looks like, I'll still be the "old" guy on the weird green bike that no one can keep up with. Merry Christmas. Cam.

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