Newbie with questions.

[710Racing]

Hi Gang,

First post here. Long time dirt rider. 53 years old riding a 2017 YZ250X. Love the bike!

I also love to tinker and try new bikes. I was down at Hatfield McCoy's doing some riding when I saw a guy on a KX500. It got me thinking. I found a 93 in pretty darn good shape for 2800. I cant get the price any lower because the seller is 6 hours away, and he is willing to drive more than halfway to meet me.

Anyway, here are a few questions:

1.  What are your thoughts on the price? I did a nationwide search using searchtempest and I did find some bikes that were nicer for 500ish bucks more. I found many that were more money and not nicer than the one I found.

2. I go from being really excited by the bike to being scared of the thing! If I ride with respect, can I generally be OK? (Subjective question..........just wanted some input.)

3. I don't want to spend a bunch of money on the suspension. If I refresh the forks and shock and install the proper springs and set the sag.........will the suspension perform decently? I don't expect it to handle like my YZ. (Full FC suspension) However, I don't know if I am up for a pig either. I had a dialed KDX in the past. How would that compare suspension wise?

Thanks very much for the input guys!

D.

[umberto]

Hi 710Racing, welcome to the site.  The KX500 is a fun bike to own, and you've already hit on how to ride it.  The tend to rev slower than the 250s, so you know when the power is coming and they have loads of torque.  If you ride them a gear up from where you would normally be, that torque makes for a really fun ride.  This is how I ride my 500 conversion in the woods, and I never feel like it's too much.  With all that power you can lift your tire over a log or obstacle with the quick twist of your wrist.  I will warn you that once you ride it, your 250 will seem very weak by comparison.   

As for the condition and price for your potential bike, I think we really need to look at it.  Can you please post some pictures?  Here is a guide to post pictures to the site: 

http://www.kxriders.com/forums/index.php/topic,17107.0.html

[710Racing]

Thanks for the input umberto!

Here is a link to the CL add:

https://maine.craigslist.org/snw/d/1993-kawasaki-kx500/6549592473.html

Thoughts?

[umberto]

It looks like a nice bike to me, but I would definitely go over it with a fine tooth comb.  I'm not sure on the price; it will just depend on what's available in your area and what you are willing to spend.

[710Racing]

Any thoughts on the suspension question above?

Thank you.

[KXDINO]

better suspension then kdx , if i owned it i would get the right springs and gold valve front and back then get the head done and a compression release fitted , not that hard to fit the gold valves your self , follow the instructions.

[sandblaster]

KXDINO is correct.
A re-spring and valve would make those work far better then stock.
The only thing I would do different is get the setup from Pro Action rather then Race Tech.
The reason?
They are about 100 per end cheaper and they do the exact same job.
Also, Pro Action has thier shim stack already set up.
You don't need to measure and stack all the shim pieces yourself.
Remove the old valve, install the new one.
Ready to roll..
And I am a Race Tech dealer 

Here is some pics of Sean Collier on his 01 KX500 with some 08 KX450F forks that we re-valves and sprung with the Pro Action set up.





Sean says that it is one of the nicest fork and shock setups he has ever rode.

I've said for years that nothing... nothing at all, will make you ride faster then getting your suspension set up correctly...

[umberto]

I've said for years that nothing... nothing at all, will make you ride faster then getting your suspension set up correctly...

I couldn't agree more.  Properly set up suspension (set up for your weight and riding style) will make you love a bike so much more.  Unless you are going to be on a track, the stock suspension will work very well once redone. 

[KXDINO]

i havent seen pro action in australia yet i might have to find if there a dealer. i get race tech stuff at dealer prices but keen to try other stuff as well .

[710Racing]

Thanks guys!!