Author Topic: Had a chance to shake down my new 5  (Read 3316 times)

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Offline Polar-Bus

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Had a chance to shake down my new 5
« on: June 04, 2006, 12:22:43 PM »
It was misty, and WET, but a ride is a ride. After spending the last week going through the bike, and fixing all the lack of maintenence issues (specifically all the rear spokes, they were all WAY loose, and siezed), I was ready for a ride. I spent Sun afternoon with my new KX5, and man am I impressed. After some much preferance suspension adjustments (the P/O was 250ish, and I am 155). I started to feel comfortable. The brakes are typicall KX.....adequate, but by no means perfect. I am pleasantly surprised, as far as mass, I figured the KX5 to be a tank, but it feels only a tad heavier than my old '97 KX250. I am guessing 240? The jetting is rich. I plan on stepping down one on the main, and one on the pilot. Gearing is a little high, I am thinking swapping from the 47 to a 49 (I am more of a MX'er and woods rider.) I also noticed a good amount of headshake, forks slid down flush into the triple tree should minimise this situation. As for the power, a violent hit off the bottom, and brutal midrange pull!! I plan on a port job to smooth out the initial hit. After that my 5 should be a fun, and versatile play bike. I CAN'T wait to get this beast out on the ice and really "feed it a snack" to feel some top end! Heres a few pics:



« Last Edit: June 04, 2006, 12:29:05 PM by Polar-Bus »
01' KX500
'84 GPz1100
'87 GSX-R  750
'06 HD Fatboy
'73 Kawi H1
'03 CRG KX500 Shifter kart

Offline Timbowe

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Re: Had a chance to shake down my new 5
« Reply #1 on: June 04, 2006, 08:21:51 PM »
Why gear down if the you find the lower end violent? I run standard gearing and have never had any worries with having a too higher 1st. The thing just mountain goats up the side of rock face. Yet still has the top end rush of a rocket.  Bike is looking good.
KX500
Weapon in the hands of the Master

Offline Polar-Bus

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Re: Had a chance to shake down my new 5
« Reply #2 on: June 04, 2006, 09:58:42 PM »
Why gear down if the you find the lower end violent?

Power is what you make of it. The power is only "violent" when I have the throttle whacked wide open for a power shift run. Currently my 5 requires too much low speed clutching in the woods. I have a 15 min technical trail ride to my favorite MX track/sand pit. Gearing up 2 teeth should ease up on my clutching. But yes, your comments are correct, gearing up will make for a more violent hit when aggressive throttle is "smacked"
01' KX500
'84 GPz1100
'87 GSX-R  750
'06 HD Fatboy
'73 Kawi H1
'03 CRG KX500 Shifter kart

Offline hughes

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Re: Had a chance to shake down my new 5
« Reply #3 on: June 05, 2006, 12:38:27 AM »
I run a 14/49 and love it. No more clutching it in the woods. Still has great top speed. Bike looks good.  :-D
Open Class 2-Stroke Kawasaki KX500
Yamaha 2005 YZ250
Richard Hughes
Dirt Hammers - Online Off-Road Journal
hughes@dirthammers.com
http://www.dirthammers.com

Offline Timbowe

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Re: Had a chance to shake down my new 5
« Reply #4 on: June 07, 2006, 08:22:25 PM »
Maybe I'm just spoiled with the hydraulic clutch? :-D
KX500
Weapon in the hands of the Master

Offline Polar-Bus

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Re: Had a chance to shake down my new 5
« Reply #5 on: June 07, 2006, 09:11:13 PM »
Maybe I'm just spoiled with the hydraulic clutch? :-D

You drive one of those ORANGE bikes? I didn't know they made a 2 stroke 500 ?? :)
01' KX500
'84 GPz1100
'87 GSX-R  750
'06 HD Fatboy
'73 Kawi H1
'03 CRG KX500 Shifter kart

Offline Timbowe

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Re: Had a chance to shake down my new 5
« Reply #6 on: June 08, 2006, 12:34:37 PM »
Just as well I'm not offended easily  :-D I dont have a lot of time for the orange bikes. Good parts just chucked together. I have a Magura hydraulic clutch which makes life aboard the kx500 a dream. 1 finger application. Totally recomended! Pricey tho.
KX500
Weapon in the hands of the Master

Offline Polar-Bus

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Re: Had a chance to shake down my new 5
« Reply #7 on: June 08, 2006, 09:30:10 PM »
I dont have a lot of time for the orange bikes. Good parts just chucked together.

Yea, they START at $6,500 and go UP, AND here in New England they put you on a "list", and make you wait for one?????? I spent a day with a 400EXC with a hydraulic clutch, definately a way different feel until I got used to it. I like a lot of free play in my clutch cable, so moving to hydraulic took some mental clutch fingering timing adjustment, but like you commented, wow, I thought I was clutching an old XR80 !!
                          Rich
01' KX500
'84 GPz1100
'87 GSX-R  750
'06 HD Fatboy
'73 Kawi H1
'03 CRG KX500 Shifter kart