Best year or years of K500

[2stroke4life]

i know the k5 did not change alot year to year. And i just wonted know what year shoud i be looking for.

[Polar-Bus]

Try to stay '94 and later as they have the best current inverted forks. Generally speaking KX500 have not had too much updating since '89

[gowen]

Actually, I'd try to keep in the 2000-2004 range. Just due to the fact that after awhile stuff starts falling apart and breaking on early-mid '90s models.

[Timbowe]

Set your sites on the newest one you can get hold of. The newer the less work its probably done. Seems here that from 2000-2004 models are no different in price if they are the same condition. But as long as it is late and tidy you cant go too wrong. The engines dont wear out easily. Go get one!

[alan]

The Best Year is the one you own!

[b0dem]

The Best Year is the one you own!

amen brother!

I agree with a 00+ model, as stated above s**t starts to get old and break. I love my 88 but ive put alot of money into it to get it looking like a newer model, and reliable as one as well. good luck in whatever you find, and hang on. tight.....

[Fusion1]

I believe 97 or 98 models got a chnge in fork internals, also a change in carb size?

[kx666]

I am not positive on this but i heard they retarded the ports and filled them in more on the '92+ (a little porting will fix that, from what i heard is thay did it to reduce lawsuits). My k5 is a 2001 and it has to most current (for a k5) suspention. i think 2000 or 2001 was the last chang. i know for a fact the 1999 suspention is a lot different than mine. (at least in the US, this is to the best of my knowlage please correct me if i am wrong)

Motorcycle years ar like dog years, most shops will not work on bikes or get parts for biks older than 1997to1998. Even if you find a shop that is willing to help you they may not be able to do to the factory limmiting thier resorces

this may help... i bought my K5 in late 2001 a 50 some year old guy was talked into it at a dealer, but he coun't start it and he sold it to me with one ride (nipples on tires, air filter never cleaned or oiled and no dirt or scratches) for $1900 us
good luck on your search

[kx666]

I am not positive on this but i heard they retarded the ports and filled them in more on the '92+ (a little porting will fix that, from what i heard is thay did it to reduce lawsuits).

kawasaki also did this to the H1 and H2

[kiwikx500]

1st of the last generation - 1990 all the way.

Will be eligible for vintage racing 14 years earlier than a 2004 model

[hughes]

Around here my 87 is not eligible for vintage racing   

[kiwikx500]

Give it time and it will be