How reliable is the Kawi KX500?

[Marmalade Dad]

I found this on BARF

http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=58293

Just wondering if anyone had some input on this bike. I'm pretty broke, so cheap is the name of the game. :D

[RC-5Juan]

The bikes are bulletproof and a cinch to work on. KX500 used to run the baja 1000 (and i know you and Funbob saw Dust to Glory) when Kawi was involved so that should speak of its reliability. Its a LOT of bike though. Especially for mortals, and extra especially for new dirt riders. Its like pull your arms out of the socket and beat you with them power. Price looks right. Seein as its been posted for so long, i bet hed even take closer to 1300. seems pretty motivated.

IMHO, save some money and get a newer 250 smoker or 400-450 4-stroke.

[Earl]

That's a lot of bike for a first timer.

I always recommend a 125 or 250 2 stroke for first time dirt bikers, much easier to work on and once you master a 2 stroke in the dirt, you can ride anything well!

[Marmalade Dad]

Thanks for the input RJohn and Earl. A friend of mine has a deuce fiddy four stroke, which was why I was thinking I could temporarily switch bikes (if I were to get this one) so I can practice on his. :noteeth

[Earl]

Thanks for the input RJohn and Earl. A friend of mine has a deuce fiddy four stroke, which was why I was thinking I could temporarily switch bikes (if I were to get this one) so I can practice on his. :noteeth

If you're going to get a 4 stroke dirt bike, get a 450, the 250 is underpowered IMO.

[RC-5Juan]

Especially for voluptuous riders like ourselves.

[Marmalade Dad]

Voluptuous. :lmfao

I wouldn't be trading the 500 (again, hypothesizing) for the 250 for keeps. Only for practicing. :)

[Earl]

I wouldn't be trading the 500 (again, hypothesizing) for the 250 for keeps. Only for practicing. :)

Save yourself the hassle Herb and just get a 450 and then get some tard wheels from Wheel Wright.

[RC-5Juan]

Save yourself the hassle Herb and just get a 450 and then get some tard wheels from Wheel Wright.

Thats what im screamin. Or find the wheels used. theres a LOT of used stuff out there for CRFs.

[Marmalade Dad]

I'm kinda wanting a street legal one, though...whatcha guys think? Y'know, something with headlights, and then I could rigger up some more lights ... :D :D :D

[Earl]

I'm kinda wanting a street legal one, though...whatcha guys think? Y'know, something with headlights, and then I could rigger up some more lights ... :D :D :D

I had a street tard and sold it, I was riding my 525 SMR all the time.

Street tards are fun, but just not enuf range to be practical.

A track tard is the way to go!

[fallclassic02]

A KX 500 is pretty bulletproof but way too much bike for a first time moto bike. Like everyone else says, get a 125 or 250 smoke or a 450 four. Riding dirt is the best and like Earl said, when you master a dirt bike on various terrains you can ride anything well. I love my 250 smoker the most out of all my bikes!

[blahbla]

i like the cr500 better....there are tons around and can be had much cheaper. definatley not for the new rider.

[GSXR-Freak]

A friend of mine has a YZ250F that I rode over the weekend. It is a great bike for a first time rider. With a pipe and jetkit, that bike would have enough power to have a ton of fun on, even for someone like me with 220lbs on top it.

A YZ450 I rode right after it would be a lot of bike for a first time rider IMO. The bike was nice, but touchy, and wanted to wheelie all over the place. Both bikes are STOCK, other then new bars.

IMO, I would get a 250, 4-stroke or 2-stroke. but if you want something easy to ride that you know is going to work good, try and get a 4-stroke 250. Great first bike.

John