Maintenance & Technical > KX500 Original

My KX500 at "Track Day"

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Ramski:
I've had so many opportunities to ditch my bike for a more modern one and I know I could ride a lot faster on a more modern bike, but I'd loose a lot of coolness in the process.  :mrgreen:

I personally am looking forward to the day when someone puts on vintage racing for (modern) 500cc Two Strokes.  Nothing would make my hair stand on end than to hear a moto with only 500s!  :-D

One of the main reasons I've kept my beast is that I live in the desert.  I still believe the KX500 can rule desert Hare & Hound racing.  You guys from back east are really missing something being able to open up a KX500 like us western guys, but then again, I suck when conditions get slick and tight in the trees.  :roll:

Danger4u2:
Ramski, I like your mind set.  I started surfing this site about a month before I got my bike.  I remember members talking about getting "clutch hand" and I thought what a bunch of sissies.  Their hand gets tired in the woods and tight stuff.  I've had my bike about 1 half years and thought the clutch was strong but I never had the clutch hand problem.  That's because where I ride most of the tight woods only lasts a little while then it's on the straights again.  Then I went to Lake Murray State Park.  It's nothing but tight woods and man was I in the waa waa mode the day after my ride.  I had the KX500 clutch hand.  I could not do a thing with my left hand for about 2 days.  I to am leaning toward a new bike.  I'll keep the K5 for sand dunes and riding the river but I would like another bike to tear up in the woods and tight stuff.
Danger

FuriouSly:
There is nothing like a 450cc or bigger Four Stroke for tearing up technical trails and tracks.  The ability to bog the gears and pull an entire sections without shifting is definately an advantage over any Two Stroke, not to mention the engine brake is handy for slowing down without any brake input.  But unless you are riding those areas with temperatures under around 90 Degrees F., you still run the risk of overheating the thumpers... not to mention smoking those clutches !

Now for desert or sand...  The KX500 is definately the KING.  Big power, good geometry, nice seat (for those non technical, sit on your rear cruises), and an awesome suspension to terrain ratio.  The bike is light, agile at speed, good airtime characteristics (not much spinning mass like the thumpers), and has the closest "Four-Stroke" feeling powervalve system I have ridden.

Just like a personal car, street bike, mountain bike, or cordless screwgun.....  you buy them according to your needs and neccessity.   Luckily for me, I have the need for speed and lots of sand to do it on ! !   :-P

My thoughts are by no means even closely associated with anyone having the slightest basic knowledge of anything that might have to do with a professional background in the field mechanics.  BUT, with the help of friends and other members from this site, that is definately changing   :-D

FuriouSly

Timbowe:
Any one who finds the clutch too much should invest in the Magura hydraulic clutch. I run one and even tho I reckon the clutch was'nt too bad, this mod has made a huge difference! For one the lever is in the same place every time you grab for it, the pull and release is smooth and even, it is tidy to look at and is easy to mount. All in all this would have to be one of the best mods I've done to my bike!!

Polar-Bus:
I agree the 500's clutch pull is tough. When at my track day, I hardly used the clutch except for entering corners after long straights. The 5 has SOOO much grunt and snap, feathering the clutch is not necessary (and a useless waste of energy). I have a 14oz. Steahly flywheel weight, and man what an awesome mod out on the track. I stalled my 5 only once all day, and exiting corners was SO much easier.

You guys that are hooked on "shaving" weight off your flywheels, I can understand your point, and what your trying to achieve, but IMO, a flywheel wieght makes my KX500 pull traction "kinda" like a big thumper!!!! (but you still DEFINATELY know you have a snappy 500 2 stroke between your legs).

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