I am looking at upgrading from my current bike (older 250 mx bike) and am not sure if I want to go with a newer 250 (00 yz250) or a cr/kx500. I like the idea of the new 4 strokes but the prices on used ones are still kind of high for me. I was thinking a 500 might be the best of both. I have a concern regarding the difficulity of kickstarting a 500 as I see guys have to REALLY kick them hard to move the lever. Anyways give me your thoughts, I ride mostly trails but play on the track with the kids once in a while - just for fun no racing. Thanks.
250 or 500 for general purpose playbike?
- Thread starter RCJ81
- Start date
I havn't ridden the newest 4 strokes, but I have a 500af and I can tell you the torque is awsome. if you have the self control to keep from killing yourself I think the bike is easier to ride than the smaller displacement bikes. it has all the power you could possibly need, in any gear, at any time. you can be lazy and wait till the last second to lift the front wheel over obstacles.. lower rpms means the motor lasts longer also. to each his own, best thing to do would be find some kind of 500 to test ride, you'll know for sure one way or the other after that! my only issues with the 500 are outdated handling/ergos, which the AF takes care of quite nicely!
kickstarting isn't as bad as they say IF you get a routine down. it can take weeks to learn.. If i put the piston at TDC before giving a full kick, warm it starts first kick every time. if the motor is cold it takes a few extra.
kickstarting isn't as bad as they say IF you get a routine down. it can take weeks to learn.. If i put the piston at TDC before giving a full kick, warm it starts first kick every time. if the motor is cold it takes a few extra.
KXaggerator
~SPONSOR~
- Feb 4, 2001
- 251
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I would say that what you get really should fit into where you live and what style of riding you do. For the desert, hill climbing, TT and general trail rides I like my KX500. It does take more effort to start, even though it is generally a one kick hot or cold machine. Most 250 riders have problems because they try to give the starter a short kick. You must stand up, bring the kick lever to the top of the stroke and kick all of the way through with your whole body instead of just sitting on bike and stabbing at the lever. Most open bikes that I see are ridden by older riders quietly waiting to school younger cocky riders. I went from a 500 to a 250 and I was surprised by the amount of work it was to ride a 250 as you have to really twist the throttle and fan the clutch to get over obstacles. But when it comes to enduros and woods the 250 really is nice. A 500 has quite a bit of gyroscopic effect and if you keep on the throttle going into a corner you will blow the corner, you will need to learn to chop the throttle before the corner. I would say that if you ride in open areas chose the 500. If you like tight trails go for a 250.
The only way to know for sure is to find a 500 rider and ask to ride his or her bike and see for your self if it right for you. Most 500 riders are more then happy to convert non-believers. Of course the secret cult meetings are time consuming, but that the price you pay for weilding such power.
The only way to know for sure is to find a 500 rider and ask to ride his or her bike and see for your self if it right for you. Most 500 riders are more then happy to convert non-believers. Of course the secret cult meetings are time consuming, but that the price you pay for weilding such power.
gwcrim
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- Oct 3, 2002
- 1,881
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Get the 500. I'm 5'9" and and 175 and sit behind a desk all day and I can get mine fired up on one kick many times. You'll enjoy the heck outta the bottom end torque and HP. It's simply a HOOT to ride.
And if you don't do it, one day you'll be sitting there, too feeble to ride and you'll wish you woulda.....
And if you don't do it, one day you'll be sitting there, too feeble to ride and you'll wish you woulda.....
KAWA200'sRule
Member
- Mar 15, 2004
- 213
- 0
I think a good compromise between the two would be a KTM 380sx. Modern handling and almost big bore power in a better package,chassis and suspension but not compared to the 500af. The 500af are very expensive to get though I would want to get a ktm 380sx if i was in you. Or even a newer ktm 300.
I wish i would'a had a vid cam last weekend.
It would have been good for this post.
Was pokin around at the Aztec MX track and was watchin 4 guys whilst loadin the bigpig.
They were tearin @$$ on 125's!
A YZ, 2 RM's and a punkin'.
These guys were really screamin'! You know how 125's at 10grand+ sound.
Suddenly theres this reallllllly deep......ring ding ding DINGG!
Guy cleares a double. "ring ding DING"
flys down the straight...."ding DING ding"
Jeez! did he even twist the throttle???
What the hades IS that?? Oh. Yea, its gotta be....
CR500! :thumb: :aj: :worship:
Was like watchin Superman showin' the Teen Titans how it's done!
Just something ya gotta see in person i guess.
Those bikes are awsome to watch, much less ride.
But like the others said before me, try it first.
Everyone should ride an open classer at least once in his/her life!
Yeeaaa BABY!! :yeehaw:
It would have been good for this post.
Was pokin around at the Aztec MX track and was watchin 4 guys whilst loadin the bigpig.
They were tearin @$$ on 125's!
A YZ, 2 RM's and a punkin'.
These guys were really screamin'! You know how 125's at 10grand+ sound.
Suddenly theres this reallllllly deep......ring ding ding DINGG!
Guy cleares a double. "ring ding DING"
flys down the straight...."ding DING ding"
Jeez! did he even twist the throttle???
What the hades IS that?? Oh. Yea, its gotta be....
CR500! :thumb: :aj: :worship:
Was like watchin Superman showin' the Teen Titans how it's done!
Just something ya gotta see in person i guess.
Those bikes are awsome to watch, much less ride.
But like the others said before me, try it first.
Everyone should ride an open classer at least once in his/her life!
Yeeaaa BABY!! :yeehaw:
