500 handling?

[KAWA200'sRule]

Ok here it goes... If I can work with my buddy this summer I am going to buy a 125 but if I cant I am going to sell my bikes and get an older 250 or 500.

He's gonna get a 125 no matter what b/c hes defiantly working so if I cant I am not going to be able to afford anything new.So I figure I have to make up with all this technology somehow so why not with lots of power?

I am going to do all mx riding so I want it to turn and jump alot better. Is there a company that makes suspension upgrades for early 90's 500 and 250's? Is there anything else I can do to it to make it a better handling and jumping machine? Like switch the forks to newer ones from a different model or something like that? I have always wanted a 500 so this is a good excuse if I dont get the job. Any suggestions are appreciated

 

[nephron]

The 500 handles the way it does because of frame geometry, rotating assbly. inertia and where the mass is distributed, notwithstanding the physically heavier motor. It has nothing to do with the suspension, which can be expertly tuned by MX-TECH and such anyway.

You'll have a better chance of beating your buddy by getting more seat time in and learning to ride better. I think you'll fnd that power output has less to do with your laptime than you'd think.

On the other hand, an older 500 is a good buy, because they're reliable and hard to kill. Don't get one, however, if you think it's going to improve your local track laptimes.

 

[KAWA200'sRule]

I dont want it to help my lap times but I want to get through the corners decently and atleast keep up with a nimble 125 in the corners. Ok is the suspension a factor at all with its handling on the track? If I did get it tuned by mx tech would it get the bike to turn and not push through the turns and get it to jump smoother? I have never ridden one but this is what I have gathered from all the threads on this site. How do tghe older 250's handle and jump then if there is not much hope for the 500 on the track?

 

[RCJ81]

My son has a 93 yz250 and I have a 2000. Cant tell much difference but we dont ride at the pro level. Older bikes can easily be made to perform well as long as they are in good condition to begin with. As Nephron said its not always more power that gets the job done. There are many companies you can send out your suspension to get redone - Factory Connection, MXTech and Race Tech to name a few.

 

[nephron]

but I want to get through the corners decently and atleast keep up with a nimble 125 in the corners.

Unless you get an AF, you will have a HARDER TIME going through the corners like your friend. That is, unless he really sucks. ;) But like anything, you can practice enough to get very good on a 500 through the corners, and there are actually ADVANTAGES to a 500 there. Namely, that you don't have to worry about being in the right gear on exit because these things are ALWAYS on the pipe and you'll be chugging through the corner at low rpm while the 125 will have to get on the brake later and accelerate earler, using a ton of clutch, and screaming on exit. On the other hand, these 500's are not blessed with a flat seat extending up to the gascap like the newer 125's and are harder to ride Windham-like (sitting on the tank). You'll have to adopt the RC style of cornering, steering with your ass and rear wheel. Just be holding on when you hook up.

So yeah, if you practice, it can be done.
Suspension is not an issue, but you mentioned jumping. They do feel heavier and harder to move in the air. However, unless your friend is scrubbing speed and laying it flat, you shouldn't have any problem.

I do ride mine on a track right now, but it's actually quite tiring--that's its major limitation.

 

[KAWA200'sRule]

OK I thought the rear end kicked up and it did all kinds of bad things off the lip and in the air and landing. I have no idea but this is what I have found on this site. Also nephron what year is your kx5?Thanks for all the help too.

 

[nephron]

My ass was kicking up on jump faces once, and it turns out I just had shock rebound set too high. 2 clicks to the left and I was flyin', baby!

Mine is a highly modified 2002 KX500. A lot of bells and whistles, plus a 4.7g Ty Davis (ZipTy--rides Yamaha now, but makes KX500 parts as he used to ride one and considers it the best desert bike. And of course, it is. :) ) The fuel hangs really low and reduces center of gravity.

You should also know that the KX500 hasn't changed MUCH since 88. So anything back to them would be okay. And yeah, it'll leave a stock 250 standing still, while digging a trench the whole way.

You should understand that Jeff Ward (although now not a big fan of the 500) used to not only race MX on one without issue, but even SX at the tail end of open SX. He's probably 5'3" and 135 wet. :yikes:

 

[gwcrim]

I have an '89 KX500. It's just like the '04s except that it doesn't have inverted forks. I think everything else is interchangable. I picked it up for $1500 a couple years ago. It was a pretty well maintained machine with lots of upgrades.

It's quite a bargain in the grins per dollar evaluation. :laugh:

 

[KAWA200'sRule]

Well it seems that they are not that bad at jumping and handling once you get them dialed in properly am I correct? Which forks are better for mx the inverted or normal? I am guessing the inverted but I dont know.

 

[gwcrim]

Inverted forks seem to be better. Less unsprung weight and no fork tube below the axle to catch on rocks, etc.

 

[nephron]

Kawa--I think you've got it nailed. They're 'not that bad' at handling and jumping, while 'not that bad' doesn't come close to describing the motor. But we don't have to love everything about our bikes--this is still, without a doubt, the funnest bike I've ever owned...and I love it to death.

But again (and you might visit his website) Destry Abbott even prefers the 250 in tighter 'hare scramble' courses (let alone MX--which he rides a 125). So you're gonna have to take it for what it is. Crim and I? We're just MONSTERS, baby!!! :laugh:

Seriously, a couple years ago, Ritchie Owens placed 2nd or 3rd against thumpers on a KX500 at Mammoth. I think MC got first, but I could be wrong. At any rate, just to point out that it can be done.

Ride one, first. Don't want you to be disappointed, as it sounds like you're budget's tight.

 

[gwcrim]

Yeah, like Neph said... try it, you'll like it!

 

[KAWA200'sRule]

I think I will like it. Ok well how heavy are these monsters. I have an '85 kdx and im probably gonna get a '88 - '93 or so. Is there a year in that range or close to there for mx? You guys are great thanks for all the info so far.

 

[gwcrim]

I think the newer the better. Had I looked more closely, I'd have gotten one with inverted forks. From what I can tell, they went inverted in '90. I think there have been a few other tweaks through the '90s but certainly nothing major.