Hello all.
I currently reside in SE Alabama at Ft Rucker. I'm a working class road warrior. I do generally spend most of my time out west and used to race open class in the late 80s. RM 500 then. I ride safer, but not slower now. LOL!
The bike.
99 500.
Mods.
2006 YZ 450 triple clamps and forks. No difference in stability, but turn in is greatly improved. Setup for 180# B rider by Race Connection
Rear shock was modified with parts from a Race Tech 2004 KX 450 rear shock. "A" rider setup. I machined the KX 500 shock adjuster housing area to accept the KX450f high and low compression adjuster and then installed the 450 shock piston and rod. That is an easy swap. I lowered the rear 1.5 inches also. Too tall for me and the tight woods riding.
Recently had the "Larry" Compression release done. WELL worth the price and extremely pleased with the high quality work and it operates GREAT!!! Love it.
Changed to the Michelin MS3 front tire for the sand MX tracks, great swap from the Dunlop 31. I can recommend the MS3 heartily.
Needless to say, it does not ride like the old 500. No rear chop on braking and the traction has improve greatly. I also don't get the over the bars pitch I used to get with the old suspension no matter how I adjusted. Turn in is much better, but does want to stand up in the "tight turns" under throttle. I'm going to a smaller rear tire to help with the push as I believe that is the problem. I'll let you know the results. The KX spec wide rear tire I believe is causing that. I have a narrower tire off of a YZ450F I rode that I know worked great on the 450.
Some more info. I weighed the 500 against the 2008 YZ450F and the 500 was only one pound heavier on the front. rear was the same. That is why I went with the YZ450 fork setup as I am already familiar with them and it was so close in weight.
