Maintenance & Technical > KX500 Original
KX 500 for beginners?
Hillclimb#42:
--- Quote from: Atrain on July 29, 2009, 08:21:11 AM ---I also bought a KX500 for a first bike because of a really good deal. I'm 6'4" and 195lbs. I agree with oic0's comments, totally ridable but you need to be easy on the throttle and plan ahead. I ride trails and woods and I've been having fun but it takes some getting used to, just take it slow.
I also wanted to add that I feel having a great tune, and predictable throttle, is critical on this bike. My KX5 ran like crap when I got it, sputtering on the low end - then warp speed, I can't imagine the problems it would have caused on the trail. With a few carb adjustments it runs perfect and I know how power is going to be delivered.
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Great advice Atrain. I thought that the 250 I bought was too much at first. It still has alot of power and would be a dangerous starter bike. Danger is the element that gets the adrenaline going. If it was as as safe as a scooter you would still have time to contemplate finances and worry about your career, or relationships. Not on a dirtbike that's rippin'. All you can concentrate on is what's ahead of you. After riding, you realize that for the entire afternoon, you were able to actually get away from it all. The 500 is kinda like taking a Funny Car to the Supermarket. Lots of power there to tap into. You just have to get there gradually, so you don't wreck your bike and your confidence. Or as Good calls it, your "Riding Growth"
A hard crash will sometimes really slow down the learning and cause you to be more dangerous by freaking out in a tight spot. My advice is to rest everytime your arms and hands get too tired to work the clutch well. Trying to ride past the point of exhausted arms is definately a sure way to eat it.
TheGDog:
Seriously.... do as he says about stopping and taking lotsa breaks on the trail when you are just starting out with a K5.
The vibration is strong... and the clutch-pull is kinda strong too. Fatigue leads to mistakes... Mistakes lead to Crashes.
If you have absolutely NO experience on dirt... then NO... you should NOT start out life on a KX 500. Plain and Simple.
It's the equivalent of a brand new rider on the street thinking they can go buy a 600cc in-line 4cyl sport-bike thinking they can handle it.... they'll just go slow. The "just go slow" part doesn't happen man. That power and rush is more addictive then anything on this earth. It'll tempt you, and you'll end-up "riding over your head" (meaning: riding faster than your current experience and abilities truly knows how to handle) and then something bad will happen.
Start with the smaller bikes first. Don't be in a rush. The smaller bikes will teach you clutch finesse. Clutch finesse is something you VERY much need on a KX 500. Especially for trail-riding.
That being said... if it is a good price... buy it anyway for now, so that you'll have her when you're ready.
I'm just saying... don't try to Run before you even know how to Crawl.
ToomanyKaws:
My first street bike was a 92 ZX11. The MSF instructor said I would be dead in a year. That same year he was almost dead in the hospital from crashing his Z1 dragbike at the strip. Bars through his chest. I learned throttle control with the 11. Used to ride with a lot of kids on 600's, 750's. I was usually out front away from the chaos. Many of them crashed and lost their interest in sportbikes. I already had a lot of dirtbike experience when I got a street bike. Have had three 11's, a 6, a 9 and a 10 and 12 for Ninjas. Had all sorts of 80's and 125's as a kid. No dirtbike for about 8 years then got an 01 KX250. Then a KX500. A KDX200, then another 250, another 500, then an 06 450, Kept adding to the collection.
If you ride a lot of different bikes you as a rider learn to adapt and to work on your skills. When I get to ride, which is not often enough anymore. Most that go with me are KTM and Yamaha guys. Rarely see any Kaws out here. I'd say 80% of the crashes I see are people just pinning their 4 strokes WOT and not being able to handle it for the terrain. So it wouldn't matter if they were on a KX500 or their own bike. Its discipline and control. I rarely get over 50% throttle on the 500. Don't need to. Ride it like a 4 stroke and just navigate. One thing to note. Have heard so many stories of people breaking legs and ankles on 500's just starting them. Turn the gas on, tilt the bike to the left side till gas runs out. Stand it up, put it in 2nd gear and rock the bike back and forth. It usually will fire on the first kick.
Works on my KX250 too. Especially when its cold out. Course the KDX200 starts on the first or second kick regardless with no method involved. Got to love that bike.
barryadam:
--- Quote from: ToomanyKaws on August 03, 2009, 10:52:27 AM ---Course the KDX200 starts on the first or second kick regardless with no method involved. Got to love that bike.
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+1
oic0:
It may depend on personality type but I personally think I would get in to more trouble on a 125. I would be more tempted to throw it around and jump it. The big ol 500 says "just you try, I'll make you pay". Like I said though, I think it will inhibit my learning :(
IMO the KX500 is like starting off on the street on a V-Max. If you tried to work and get crazy on it, it would be more than happy to kill you. Other than the straight aways though... your instincts tell you not to even try. Definitely not a confidence inspiring bike.
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