Differences in years

[witdogg]

I've been told to get a '89 or newer...but why?   After '89 were there any big changes or are they the same until then end of production?  Are there any years to stay away from?

Thanks

[witdogg]

Anyone?

[JustinSB]

Stay away from the 2006's.

The last production year of the KX500 was 2004.

[allan1353]

 From my understanding nothing really changed from 89 to the end but in late 90's I think they went with bigger forks....
 As for what years to stay away from I have no idea on that one.

[Danger4u2]

In 1997 they went to a 3 bearing rear hub, two on the drive side. I think the graphics and tank color were the only thing to change till 2004.

[JustinSB]

Stay away from the 2006's.

The last production year of the KX500 was 2004.

Yeah, The joke was that there are no factory 2006 KX5s..... At least I laughed at my own joke.

[Danger4u2]

Stay away from the 2006's.

The last production year of the KX500 was 2004.

Yeah, The joke was that there are no factory 2006 KX5s..... At least I laughed at my own joke.

Yes, us old guys know that might have been a joke.  But, please stick to the facts, people that are new to the KX500 will be misinformed.

[bigborefan]

89 and up, you will be fine, 90 and up and you get USD forks, 96 and up and you get better suspension and brake parts. i think prior to 89 and parts can be hard to find.

[matzilla]

Yes parts are hard to find for my 88. Wish I would have known before I got it. But it will still be fast. When the engine is done we will breakin and tune on the dyno. If the numbers are decent I'll post them.

[bob larry]

I would say the forks are the biggest advantage.  And parts for old bike are getting hard to find.  If you buy before 89 buy three or four of them.....