Most powerful KX500

[hughes]

The sale's man at my local Kawasaki dealer told me that the 87 KX500's were the most powerful in stock trim. This is because of the single ring piston and port timing. He went on to explain that in 88 the KX went to a double ring piston and redefined port timing to make the bike more useable. It would seem that single rings piston like to rev out higher than double ring piston(Two rings = more friction). Does anybody have any first hand info or use to race these bikes in the late 80's and could tell the diff. in power. On this site I read where somebody installed an 88 and newer piston in a 87 500 just wondering if they notice any power change and any info on how good the 88 or newer pistons work in the 87 model. Thanks.  :boxing:

[FastKX500]

well i dont think my 89 could be any faster..

[doordie]

I doubt it,mate!

The model of 1989 when The REAL KIPS(with main exhaustport  involved)was intruduced it
claimed 64,5hp at crank and models before were 62hp at most.But the FEEL of power
was different.The KIPS of 1989 and further har a very broad powerband from
bottom to top.It?s like to eat the candy and still have it left.
You can have a high exhaust duration and at the same time low compression who is good at high Rpm.
And at low Rpm you have low exhaust duration,(smaller exhaust) ports and higher compression.
KIPS is a wonderful  thing!
The models before 1989 have a "turbo" powerband and very hard to ride MX with.
The single ring is only useful over 8000 rpm and seal not as two rings below that rpm.Single rings is for smaller engines.

//doordie (now iceracing with kx500)

[FastKX500]

Yea mine has a very broad powerband..and i love KIPS <3 for an 89 though i was suprised how good it runs.. the person before me that owned it hardly rode it and it sat in his garage, the only problems i ever have with the bike is fouling plugs lol which is common in most cases, i think it has something to do with my oil mixture, i still want to race a stock 00-04 500 to see what happens, anyone from PA wanna go? we can meet at tower city this spring! :p

[hughes]

You are right about the turbo power band. Mine is off or on no in between.