Connecting Rods (Choice and Why)

[JohnJr]

Im in the process of getting my parts for the REBIRTH of my 500, Im just a reg. rider, just rips it sometimes and tease the LOWER CC bikes. Question the connecting rods Im looking at are The Hot Rod, The Versah, The Wiesco, Feedback is apprieciated,thanks

[kaw rider]

Oem rod is the only way to go.

[cbmoor]

I installed a Prox they are made in Japan and they get oem manufacturers to make their products

[Polar-Bus]

Im in the process of getting my parts for the REBIRTH of my 500, Im just a reg. rider, just rips it sometimes and tease the LOWER CC bikes. Question the connecting rods Im looking at are The Hot Rod, The Versah, The Wiesco, Feedback is apprieciated,thanks

Why not the good ol' tried and true OEM rod kit?

As you can tell, I am NO fan of aftermarket "bling" parts. Never heard of a OEM Kawasaki rod failing other than under operator negligent circumstances.  (Just strictly my opinions) I've been using OEM Kawasaki for the past 26 years, had 2 parts fail and they were both a result of my own stupidity not the part..

[stewart]

oem is the way to go here

[JohnJr]

Thank-You family,OEM it shall be,John

[3Razors]

I would go oem or Vesrah.  Vesrah is in Japan and makes most of the stuff for the oems.

[kxpegger]

Here's one company you can stay away from in my opinion. They used to be very well respected until they started outsourcing their crankshaft parts and crankshaft assembly manufacture to China. I believe their pistons and clutch components may still be made here but for how long?

http://www.wiseco.com/Recalls/CPSC09-142.aspx

[3Razors]

Wow that is bad!  Shame on Wiseco for that stunt but seems thats the way businesses are headed these days.  I have had far better luck with oem than the aftermarket crap that is pushed these days.

[stewart]

thats true about there after market rods but they still build the best pistond

[3Razors]

I like the Wiseco piston for the KX500, LT500, or a custom banshee setup with ALOT of mods. It depends on the bike but for most stock to mild mod bikes I prefer a oem cast piston because you can set the tolerances closer and when maintained properly you get more life out of them over forged.

[Polar-Bus]

I like the Wiseco piston for the KX500, LT500, or a custom banshee setup with ALOT of mods. It depends on the bike but for most stock to mild mod bikes I prefer a oem cast piston because you can set the tolerances closer and when maintained properly you get more life out of them over forged.

My only experience with Wiseco was negitive. I had a '82 RM125, bought it used with an overbored Wiseco piston, blew the piston,overbored 2nd over, blew that piston after about 20 hrs. Broken skirt both times. Since then I insist on OEM cast. Theres NO reason to run a forged piston under most circumstances for the average rider.

[DoldGuy]

Polar,
I had similar issues back in the late 70's with my RMs, but know that they are NOT the problem they used to be with their pistons & have been using them since 89 with good success. I am new to the K5 but every nasty grenaded motor that I have seen had a cast piston (which was neglected) but yet to see a forged piston like that.

You posted you have a shifter kart? I would love to here more about it & what it is like to drive.

DoldGuy

[stewart]

the wiseco piston is the best piston i have seen  for the kx 500 ,,,,,cast pistons are not on the same level ..

[GREENKAW24]

Pro X/Vesrah/OEM rods, Wiseco or even Wossner pistons. Forged is stronger than cast, plain and simple.