This helps reduce the bucking effect of the rear. From BikesWiki.com, Japanese Motorcycle Encyclopedia, Kawasaki KX500 2 Stroke RAW featuring Destry Abbott - Dirt Bike Magazine, Kawasaki KX500: Service Manual, 1988-2004 (KX500D, KX500E), https://bikeswiki.com/index.php?title=Kawasaki_KX500&oldid=8541, Inverted telescopic air fork (adjustable) , 300 mm / 11,8 in, Swingarm Uni-Trak with mono-shock (adjustable), 330 mm / 13,0 in. 1983: The KX500 is born. Welcome to Off-Roading Pro. I was surprised I didnt tense up. Today's 450 four-strokes make about the same peak power as the first KX500 of 30 years ago. In 1986, Donnie Griewe won two National Hare & Hounds on a KX500. Even stock no other motocross bike can compete with its acceleration, speed and stability at high speeds except another good 500 2-stroke KX. The first Generation of KX500's were air cooled, and remembered for their suspension more than overall performance. KX500s come to life via an electronic CDI (Capacitor Discharge Ignition) and primary kick-start system. The 87 KX500-C1 was equipped with a lighter, unique piston design and higher compression ratio, dramatically improving power delivery to the point of crazy (but also narrowing aftermarket solutions). At the height of the Team Green desert racing era, the most significant modification was frame reinforcement. Kawasakis first KX500, a bike that was destined to become a legend in motocross and desert racing. Or you will just spin the tire or loop out. So, I elected to test the TMR/KX Guru Racing Kawasaki KX500 to keep the rest of the MXA team out of harms way. 4 stroke valve assemblies are expensive to work on and need adjustment. The final year for the 500 National Championship was 1993, when Mike LaRoccos victory made the final entry in the MX record book for both Kawasaki and the class itself. Most of the good 500c two-strokes I have ridden have been packaged in their original equipment. Body & Suspension Dirt Bikes. Chaotix - The Space In Between. If you have ever started a KX500, you know it is no easy task. With the decline of Open-Class motocross and no need for innovation, sales of the KX500 steadily fell. These units are not necessarily junk but may hide behind aftermarket replacements such as a new air filter, sub-frame, front tire, chain, or a not-so-recent top-end rebuild. Thankfully, Race Tech did an amazing job balancing out this versions suspension. Odds & Ends: Place the '85 KX 500 on your "used bikes to avoid" list. But, it felt heavier. 12 Best Dirt Bike Trails in PA: Pennsylvania, 6 Best Dirt Bike Trails in CT: Connecticut, Razor SX500 McGrath Dirt Bike (Specs & Review), Hawk 250 Enduro Review and Specs (Dirt Bike Guide), 12 Best Dirt Bike Trails in Illinois (MX Tracks & Parks), Even in stock form, the KX500 provides no shortcuts on handling and reliability more so if it were given the right performance-enhancing mods or made. Not long afterMike LaRoccos1993 500-cc Motocross win, the reign of 2-stroke machines drew to a close. The original Kawasaki KX500 chassis is more than outdated; it is archaic! In reality, the 4-stroke revolution started by the 1998 Yamaha YZ400F became the undoing of monstrous 2-stroke machines. The power was manageable and smooth, and the suspension was super plush. Kawasaki KX 500. Due to this, it is common practice to install the nearly identical 88-04 pistons in these bikes, which share both wrist pin and piston diameter measurements. The front and rear worked in unison, and I felt I could hit any kicker, square edge or jump without concern. You have to ease on the power and use the clutch as necessary to manage traction. Most people just take one look at the massive jug and cringe. Todays 450 four-strokes make about the same peak power as the first KX500 of 30 years ago. It seemed like I just sat on it and pointed it up the hill. Kawasaki KX450F Performance: Top Speed - Acceleration 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) - Acceleration 0 to 400m (1/4 mile) - The top speed may vary depending upon the riders' weight and riding conditions. The KX 450 motorcycle represents the flagship of the KX lineup, built with the sole purpose of dominating the track. In 1973, it was offered to a few dealers for their supported riders, while Brad Lackey and Jimmy Weinert rode works versions. It was honestly like riding a couch on wheels. Compression, power, and torque values aside, the KX500 top speed rating across all models played around 85-89 mph (137-143 km/h) bone stock. future models would lower the compression ratio to 8.4:1 and add a second compression ring, with the goal of improving dependability while making the power spending more controllable. The addition of liquid cooling in 1985, a new frame with improved suspension in 1987, engine updates in 1988 and reversed forks in 1990 highlight these revisions. It is lighter than 250Fs and more powerful than 450-cc 4-strokes, not to mention its engine is far superior to the CR500s. The power had no dips or valleys and had a very connected feel at all times. This was against the cartridge forked, liquid cooled, more powerful but harder to ride Honda CR500. The factory KX500 exhaust valve drums sit over-rotated in their normal state, which results in the auxiliary exhaust ports being slightly open to eliminate that initial hesitation and make for a snappier throttle response. With its sheer power, I could be lazy and keep it in third pretty much the entire Glen Helen track, save for the long start straight. Make Model: Kawasaki KX 500: Year: 2002 - 04: Engine. Fuel & Lubrication and the side-access airbox was abandoned. Many speculated the reason was either tightening EPA regulations or a marketing strategy in favor of newer, maintenance-hungry two-wheelers. Make / Model Specific. Little did he know that his brainchild company would grow to become a world leader in heavy equipment and other automotive industries. The lever ratio was actually regressive, getting softer as the swingarm moved through its arc. All in all, the said configuration lends to a KX500 horsepower of 61.1 hp (45.6 kW, 62 PS) @ 7,000 RPM and a max torque of 64.7 Nm (6.6 kgf-m, 47.7 fta-Ib) @ 6,000 RPM. It seemed to me however, that the bike would go past the 110-120 mph listed top end. Machines released in Europe only differ slightly in measurement from those in North America - at 85.2 x 33.1 adam 49.8 inches. The 26.5-degree steering angle and short wheelbase. Kawasaki KX500s are plentiful on the used-bike market, particularly in the Southwest. The overall dimensions of the Kawasaki 125 Dirt Bike are 2,155 adam 825 ten 1,200 millimeter ( 84.8 adam 32.5 ten 47.2 inches - L x W x H ). (Tip: The KDX flywheel is interchangeable with the KX 500 and is sure to wake up the charging system.). September 20, 2007. With a push of a button, located on the head, I could start the bike without breaking a sweat. Transmission oil requirement is 0.8 L/0.2 US gallon of SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40 with an API grade of SJ (at least), meeting JASO T903 MA/MB standards. Over the past four decades, we've learned what it takes to win and stay on top. This shifting of focus from motocross to broader desert racing and recreational bike was result of waning interest and participation of big 500cc bikes in Open-Class and the discontinuation of the 500 National MX class- the final round being in 1993. Tom was Jeff Wards Factory Kawasaki mechanic when Jeff raced KX500s in the early 90s. Kawasaki 2 Stroke. 13.5K subscribers I take my Stock KX500 out for a top speed run. However, the bikes prowess seemed to better meet the requisites of desert speedsters than MX racers (as evidenced by its Desert Nationals wins) that it remains a force to be reckoned with in the arena of desert racing even to this day. Kawasaki Motorcycles. It was an amazing bike for what it was, and I wanted it in my garage. The integration of new-age technology, years of experience from KX500 racing, and Race Techs suspension expertise brought this old dog into the current decade. That said, let us focus on some of the things the KX500 can bring to the table in this section: For proof of just how positively insaneThe Beastcan get, search up the details of howKX Guru Racingdialed inSean Colliers2002 KX500-E14. Year 1998 . As I mentioned earlier, the KX500 chassis breaks now and again. So, I took out a million-dollar life-insurance policy and strapped myself to the ticking time bomb. He did well, but won no overall victories that year. These units had an air cooling system and remarkable suspension and were sold exclusively in North America. Why not? The KX500 sticks in corners like Velcro, allowing riders to make up a lot of ground with just smooth, fast lines and throttle control. This feature along with improved performance in nearly all areas over the 1985 model allowed the 86 to win the Motocross Action Magazine 500 shootout. The unique design of this bikes piston makes cylinder maintenance difficult, as aftermarket companies (as of 2016) do not manufacture replacements and new old stock (NOS) parts are not widely available. ), while curb weight is 106 Kg (about 233.7 lbs., combined front and rear). But, I will admit I wanted it more as a trophy than a bike I would ride on a regular basis. In 1988 the KX500 got . In the early years of motocross, the 500 class was the Big One, both in Europe and in the U.S. It got a new motor with liquid-cooling and it was, for the first time in Kawasakis history, the best bike in its class. After each riding session, I came back with something missingmostly bolts, but every now and then some plastic parts. The Kawasaki KX450F model is a Cross / motocross bike manufactured by Kawasaki . Kawasaki engineers refined the system for the next few years, making it better and better. Kawasaki KX500: manuals, parts, microfiches. Name: Kawasaki KX500 Code: KX500-E3 1992 North America, Europe, Australia Name: Kawasaki KX500 Code: KX500-E4 1993 North America, Europe, Australia Name: Kawasaki KX500 Code: KX500-E5 1994 North America, Europe, Australia Name: Kawasaki KX500 Code: KX500-E6 1995 North America, Europe, Australia Name: Kawasaki KX500 Code: KX500-E7 1996 Dry weight is 100 Kg (220.5 lbs. The first two years of the KX500 83 KX500-A1 and 84 KX500-A2 models make up the 1st Gen. A 5-speed constant mesh transmission (return shift) and a wet, multi-disc clutch assembly deliver power to the wheels. 1973: Kawasakis first open-classer was a very limited production bike called the S12. For now, let us take a closer look into the history, specs, and noteworthy features of this quintessential open-class racer. BEST OF JODYS BOX: DECIPHERING THE TRUTH BEHIND THE SPORT, THIS WEEK IN MXA: 2022 DUBYA WORLD VET CHAMPIONSHIP VIDEO, MXAS WORLD VET PHOTO GALLERY: ITS LIKE BEING THEREEXCEPT YOU WERENT, TWO-STROKE TUESDAY | THE 2004 CR250 BUILT TO KILL THE FOUR-STROKE, 2022 WORLD VET CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS: THE BEST OF THE 1000 RIDERS AT GLEN HELEN, JEREMY MCGRATH: THE KING OF SUPERCROSS LIFETIME OF EXCELLENCE VIDEO. Lack of competition lead to stagnation, as only Honda, Maico and, briefly, KTM manufactured 500cc motocross bikes in this period. The bore-stroke ratio is perfectly squared at 86 x 86 mm (3.386 x 3.386 inches). Trim KX 500 Kawasaki : KX kx500 Kawasaki KX 500 Dirt Bike $2,800 Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina Year 1991 Make Kawasaki Model KX Unfortunately, it seemed that real men were in short supply, and the market gradually moved away from the KX500 and the other 500s that followed. If it does get damaged, there are a number of companies like Millennium Technologies that can recoat a KX barrel. In the used market alone, the bikes pricing ranges from $2,800 to $8,000. Tank capacity is 9.9 L/2.6 US gallons of gasoline and applies to all Kawasaki KX 500 models. Kawasaki KX 500 Performance: Top Speed - Acceleration 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) - Acceleration 0 to 400m (1/4 mile) - Recuperation 60 to 140 km/h in highest gear - Fuel Consumption - MPG - Economy - Efficiency - CO2 emissions - Emissions - It is intimidating. The steering angle is factory-set to 45 on either side, which aids in the bikes maneuverability. This batch only saw minor revisions in ignition and lighting the addition of inverted forks in the 90 KX500-E2 being the most significant and was produced until 2004. The clutch cables 90-degree sleeve was straightened out to approximately 45 degrees to reduce clutch-pull effort. Succeeding KX500 engines, however, had incrementally higher performance figures. Its first victories came in 1986, when Donnie Griewe won two National Hare and Hound events. But the Japanese firm made sure to overcompensate with the launch of its open-class legend. It took some time to feel comfortable jumping the bike due to a few bad experiences of getting bucked off in the past. Initially, his objective was to contribute to the modernization of the countrys shipping industry. In this version sold from year 2008 , the dry weight is 99.8 kg (220.0 pounds) and it is equipped with a Single cylinder, four-stroke motor. It seemed to have plenty of power left . Compression, power, and torque values aside, the KX500 top speed rating across all models played around 85-89 mph (137-143 km/h) bone stock. So,, Read More 6 Best Dirt Bike Trails in CT: ConnecticutContinue, In recent years, a growing number of dirt bike options have become available for young riders. One of my favorite allusions to the KX500 is themotocross version of fine wine.The bike does get better with age so much so that dirt bike aficionados seem to clamor for its resurrection. However, the incoming-year model of the Ninja 500 topped out at 124 mph (199.5 km/h). You would think the opposite would be true, but modern chassis were built for a purpose, and that purpose isnt to have a 30-year-old smoker engine shoved in it. Suzuki built the first production open-class two-stroke in 1971, but by 1973, it was clear that all motorcycle manufacturers saw the dirt as a way to bring young customers into the building. I know there was a lot of cold-hard cash dumped into building it, and the work was done by the right people. The dated 1991 forks were replaced with 2011 KX450F forks tuned by Race Tech. There wasnt any! Make Kawasaki. Initially described as unrideable and violent in the June 1983 issue ofDirt Bike Magazine, the Kawasaki KX500 lived to become the most powerful dirt bike ever made. Jimmy Weinert followed up with. Fuel & Lubrication Tank capacity is 18 L/4.8 USgal (inclusive of 2.2 L/0.58 USgal of reserve) of unleaded gasoline. The KX was seen as the upper boundary of sanity. Does $15,000 seem a bit steep for a 30-year-old bike? Plus, motocross rock stars such as Jeff Ward, Mike Kiedrowski and Mike LaRocco won AMA National Championships on them! With mad custom skills and a lot of patience, KX450F bits and bobs can become interchangeable with stock Kawasaki KX500 parts. When that mixture is out of whack, odd things happen, and none of those oddities are good. Overall dimensions of the KX500-D1 are 2,200 x 815 x 1,205 mm (86.6 x 32.1 x 47.4 inches L x W x H). The Tom Morgan KX500 engine loved to be short-shifted and ridden in the middle of the powerband. The fleet of motorcycles is so large that its somewhat eternal on trails in California and Arizona. When it finally was dropped from the Kawasaki line, it had been unchanged for more than 10 years, and its sales numbers were unimpressive. It had the 5-speed transmission, water cooling, and . Although the KX500 was intended for MX racing, it found its calling on the dunes. Providing a seamless continuity from the mini ranks to the full . Sign in with Microsoft. Dont get me wrong, I was relieved the second my time testing the KX500 was over, but it went much smoother than I had anticipated. The owners manual does not specify whether a regular or unleaded variant is required. Enclosed in a tubular down-tube frame (28 caster angle, 129 mm/5 inches trail) are front telescopic air forks and a rear Uni-Trak swingarm, each setup offering 300 mm (11.8 inches) of wheel travel. In recent years, however, things have started to look up for the lime green champ. In 1985, Kawasaki released their first liquid cooled iteration of the KX500. Tom started by re-balancing the crankshaft, porting the cylinder and modifying the head. Applied Racing built them hybrid triple clamps that accommodated the KX450F front-end swap while keeping the KX500s 22mm offset. All the others had fallen by then; Suzukis 500 was long gone, and Yamahas air-cooled YZ490 was still in the line, but rapidly becoming an antique. There is no noticeable pattern as to which production models are more saleable than others. In the early nineties, evolutionary revisions were made to the ignition to make the KX500 more adept for off-road riding, including facilitating the installation of lights for distance racing events. Much of that effort focuses on how the frame will react to the sudden power delivery. Show more. The Kawasaki KX500 was developed as an air-cooled 500cc motocross bike for competition in the 500cc and Open-Class of motocross. They also found a 1994 KX500 shock body that was more updated than the 1991 shock. It was, perhaps, the greatest desert racer of all time. In 1987, things took a significant turn for the 3rd Gen models. The Kawasaki KX100 top speed is claimed to be around 68 mph. He hired Larry Roeseler in 1987, and the two of them put together a program that proved unbeatable from 1988 to 1996. However, that was only half of the KX story. The year 1972 saw the first dedicated 500 MX championship series in the U.S., and it was Brad Lackey who won on an Kawasaki SR450 works bike. The KX500s stock PWK39 Keihin carburetor is a lot better than what its counterparts have. Bring your checkbook, though. In the meantime, Kawasaki utterly dominated the Baja 1000 under the leadership of Team Green Czar Mark Johnson. But, Ron Leichiens 1988 domination of the Motocross des Nations on a Kawasaki 500 was legendary. It was fast, but had a poorly designed combustion chamber that resulted in self-destructive tendencies. The AMA had instituted the production rule in a cloud of controversy, and Breker had to turn in his exotic one-off works SR500 for a production-based KX. Kawasaki KX500 2 Stroke Top Speed 663,605 views Jan 9, 2021 12K Dislike Share Save Zach Davis 47.7K subscribers Seeing just how fast I can go on this KX500! His very first try on the KX450F was solid. 5 Speed : Final Drive. Not only do you get to sample some excellent dirt bike trails in, Read More 12 Best Dirt Bike Trails in PA: PennsylvaniaContinue, Connecticut is known for its long rivers, beautiful lakes, and large forests. For the front of the bike, they ditched the 1991 forks and bought 2011 KX450F forks off eBay that came with the entire front-brake assembly . But, the first Kawasaki rider to actually ride something called a KX500 was Goat Breker in the 1984 500 Nationals. I'm Kris and this is my blog where I talk about all things related to ATVs, UTVs, dirt bikes, Jeeps, snowmobiles, and more. Kawasakis second National Championship two years later, then a number of riders took turns representing Kawasaki. The plastic gas tank was gone, and there were a number of cost-cutting features. Best selling off road motorcycle magazine, 2023 SUZUKI RM-Z250: DIRT BIKE VIDEO SERIES, THE WEEKLY FEED: FIRST RIDE: RIEJUS SHOWCASE 300- THE MR 300 SIX DAYS, TURN YOUR HONDA CRF110 INTO A FACTORY PIT BIKE, JEREMY MCGRATH EDISON DYE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD VIDEO, 2006 KAWASAKI KX125 PROJECT WITH JEREMY MCGRATH: 2-STROKE TUESDAY. This helps reduce the bucking effect of the rear. With quality two-wheelers becoming pricier by the second, the, Read More Hawk 250 Enduro Review and Specs (Dirt Bike Guide)Continue, Illinois, The Prairie State, is known for its stunning landscape, oak forests, and deep valleys. But that would not be the end of the KX500's racing legacy. I mention this because one of my favorite things about riding KX500s is their ability to step the rear end out with a blip of the throttle and flat track around corners. The compression had to be lowered, and that killed any performance edge it might have had. Ignition timing is 17 BTDC @ 6,000 RPM (later changed to 19 BTDC @ 6,000 RPM for 1990 to 2004 KX500 versions). Please like and subscribe for. The generations of these bikes were determined based on when major mechanical and design developments were done. Its never really been established that theres anything better. The motorbikes power output was deemed bordering insanity that riders who bravely put their legs over the beast were admiringly referred to as real men.. The pipe mount and footpeg mounts always got attention. Kawasaki might have had the biggest bike in the class, but that didn't translate to performance. 94 kx500 top speed test on dirt garmin gps 98.0 mph with head wind. By the early 90s, Honda had given up the horsepower chase, leaving the KX uncontested as the most powerful dirt bike made. $4,800 . It would be a bike I would sit and stare ata bike that I would only ride on those rare occasions when I felt like strapping myself to a bomb to see what would happen. That might be an exaggeration on my part, but I know I am not the only racer who thinks that big five-oh-ohs are ticking time bombs. For the suspension, KX Guru Racing machined new dog bones, speced to Team Kawasakis 132.5mm length. 2009 Special Construction Triumph KX500 A/PG, Special Construction Triumph KX500 A/PG year: 2009, 100K miles1 cylinders, Manual transmissionRed with Black interiorSakowski Motors Hot Rods, Classics, and Customs sells worldwide, helps ship worldwide, and can help with compliance worldwide for your Country.LOTS OF PICTURES BELOWThis Land Speed motorcycle was custom built by renowned Bonneville . The rear suspension was reconfigured, losing the big rocker arm on top. Kawasaki 2 Stroke. But it did receive cosmetic updates throughout its run the majority of which were applied to 4th Gen KX500s. They know how to fix the KX500s flaws. When a 500cc two-stroke machine Honda or Kawasakicomes down the MXA pipeline for testing, there is always hesitation from the test riders, including myself. Name: Kawasaki KX500 Code: KX500-E3 1992 North America, Europe, Australia Name: Kawasaki KX500 Code: KX500-E4 1993 North America, Europe, Australia Name: Kawasaki KX500 Code: KX500-E5 1994 North America, Europe, Australia Name: Kawasaki KX500 Code: KX500-E6 1995 North America, Europe, Australia Name: Kawasaki KX500 Code: KX500-E7 1996 But what made the 500 so formidable was the narrower spread and fearsome delivery. OffRoadingPro.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. You will gain insight on performance-enhancing secrets and in choosing the right aftermarket brands that are both aesthetic and functional. The 1990 KX500E would be the last bike to receive a designation change, denoting the inverted forks. Plastics had always been two-tone but predominantly lime green and were only made more interesting with yearly changes to the graphics/decals. The bike was incredibly fun and easy to ridefor a 500cc machine. In 89 and 90, Jeff Ward gave the KX its first National Championships on consecutive KX500s, then, in 1992, it was Mike Kiedrowski. Dimensions. Among Japans giants, Kawasaki came late to the motocross party. Honda's XR75, XR80 and CRF80 model history 1973-2013; Yamaha YZ80 and YZ85 History 1974-2019; Suzuki RM80 and RM85 history 1977-2019; Kawasaki KX80, KX85, and KX100 mini-class history 1979-2017; Honda CR80R and CR85R history 1980-2007; Honda's CR125 Motocross bikes 1974-2007; 1985 200cc Enduro Shootout The MX-style wheeler requires an NGK B8EG spark plug or NGK BR8EG for UK releases with a gap of 0.6-0.7 mm (0.024-0.028 inch) and torque spec of 27 Nm (2.8 kgf-m, 20 ft-Ib). The KX frame wasnt nearly as indestructible as the engine. 85 KX500-B1 and 86 KX500-B2 models comprise the 2nd Gen it was with this batch, liquid cooling and KIPS (Kawasaki Integrated Power Valve System) were introduced. The Kawasaki Ninja 500R top speed ranged from 110 mph (180 km/h) to 118 mph (190 km/h), depending on model year and market. Altogether, Kawasaki won forty 500 Nationals with the KX500 and its predecessors. The next year, Kawasaki gave the KX a feature that no other 500cc two-stroke had ever seen: a KIPS power valve. The air cooled engines were poorly reviewed in publications at the time, with Dirt Bike magazine most famously calling the bike "unridable" in their June of '83 issue.
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