Why did they stop making 500's?

[IceRacer]

Why did they stop making 500's and why are the phasing out 2 strokes? 

[Danger4u2]

Here's a few reasons they quit making the K5.
http://www.kxriders.com/forums/index.php/topic,2754.msg19748.html#msg19748

They haven't quit all the 2 strokes yet.  They are phasing them out for the same reason they quit making the inline 300 ci. Ford  6 cylinder.  They rarely need work and the parts are very cheap.  I had a Ford 6 cylinder in a 1965 1 ton truck, only thing that killed that truck was a head on crash, not my fault.  Took it out and installed it in a 1978 3/4 truck and drove it for 14 years.  Sold it to a guy and still see him driving it.  Only thing I did was oil change, plug wires, plugs, filters and had to change the distributor once.

http://www.atkusa.com/atk/(S(pcb2qs45vojapn3e25m4wn45))/documents/2009ATK700620cc.pdf

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/products/modelfeatures/30/0/features.aspx

http://www.ktm.com/300-XC-W.189.20.html

http://www.ktm.com/300-XC.188.20.html

[The Flyin Hawaiian]

Poor sales is what killed the 2t here in the US. Contrary to popular belief, it isnt tightening EPA regulation. The 4t revolution that was pretty much started by the 98 YZ400F is what did it. Alot of people jumped on the 4t bandwagon and all the R and D work went into them instead of the 2ts. The dirtbike market took a big sales hit in the mid 2000s. For example, Suzuki went from a 7% total sales (dirtbikes) to less than 3% over the coarse of a few years. Pretty much all the Jap manufacturers experienced similar drops. With sales drops like that, it wouldnt make sense to bring all the models here when most riders were buying 250 and 450Fs. My fiance worked at a kawi/suzuki/KTM dealership and saw a dramatic drop in dirtbike sales in the last 10 years. Land loss is also a big factor here in NJ, she would have customers tell her that they would buy a dirtbike if there was somewhere legal to ride. Most people dont want to drive 2 hours or more to go riding. 

[greencannon]

You have to go with the flow. 450's are the hot item, especialy when you "power market" them towards the mainstream consumers. Along with the "Bull$#!T"  reasons like, emissions, noise pollution, ect. working against 2 strokes...It's a scam...  A fourstroke is higher maintenence, higher cost, more oil consuming, and certainly much louder than most two strokes. I do agree with some performance advantages but dont believe that a long proven history of 2 stroke design couldn't be the starting base for upgrade, re-design and success at a much lower cost than basicaly starting over at the drawing board with the "new" four stroke.  It's just nature of the beast.  -  a new style 4t MX bike is bulit but it is heavy, so they work on making it lighter like a 2 stroke. It turns horrible at first so they spend counless hours on suspension and chassis to make it turn like a 2 stroke. It is slow revving, so they shorten the stroke to make it rev like a 2 stroke, problem with that is now it stalls way too easy unlike 2 stroke. The new design causes massive engine braking so they make slipper clutches to make it more like a 2 stroke. And of course a 4 stroke will be much better on a supercross track. They've completely redesigned the track to suit the charactaristics of a 4 stroke machine. Go into the archives and look at some of the tracks from days ago. Not even close to todays design. It's a shame to think what modern technology could have done to the long proven 2 stroke  I'm sorry but I could go on and on....... I do like a modern 4 stroke but I love my 2 smoke
Long live the KTM300... Hang on to your KX500 or CR500

[Danger4u2]

The 2 stroke 500's are like "muscle cars of the 60's"  high horse power and fun to drive.  It will repeat itself (I hope).  Look at a new Mustang, Charger or Camaro.

[RoostDaddy]

The 2 stroke 500's are like "muscle cars of the 60's"  high horse power and fun to drive.  It will repeat itself (I hope).  Look at a new Mustang, Charger or Camaro.

I agree, it seems as if everything runs in circles.  Its been a battle between 2t and 4t for how long?  Just like choppers and sportbikes, there are fads that keep comin' & goin'.  I dont believe this is the end.

[kwakman]

KX5 for ever.........no s$!t

[flyingfitz]

Dont forget the Dodge Challenger Danger!   

I perceive a comeback in 2 strokes.  That KTM 300 is really a great bike.  I also read somewhere where Yamaha is thinking about putting out a Woods version of the YZ 250 2 stroke.  Flywheel weight, kickstand and softer suspension.  I think it would sell great.  My riding buddy has an 01 with the flywheel weight and a torque spacer and it is a blast to ride in the woods.

Fitz

[madmick]

well i reckon your all wrong.?.i am under the impression its all a mis under standing.my theory is the under lying problem that all the under handed japanese designers,under graduates with under developed brains for sure all turned gay (not that there is anything wrong with being gay,to quote a famous american) "jerry seinfeld" and all the gay people who iam told dont wear any under pants under their clothes and have smelly under arms in the under world started to buy them to promote the gay community (that seinfeld quote again) so then all of the people (normaly inclined) started to buy them thinking that by being politicaly correct why not join them,so thinking they are politicaly correct they (normaly inclined) people started to buy these under powered under performing under handling under steering and under anything you want to add under, bikes under wraps under the counter "under stand"..just dont associate us people down under with them under brained mob that under estimated the under valued 2 stroke blokes wants and needs..gotta go out now for a few bourbons and get under the weather so it makes me forget about our mis under stood race of 2 stroke community under lings they the 4 stroke riding mob should all be sent to the under taker, he will sort em out.?.put them all 6 foot under i say or throw them all under water with a strong under current..man this subject gets under my skin..am i under stating this subject or not..i think i had better get under cover cause i might get some flak from this under statement.?.heh heh heh..when i grow up i want to be a comedian,seinfelds under study but dont know when that will be..when i grow up i mean.?..dont just brush this subject under the carpet either fellas.?.did i miss any unders..?.ooh yep under par,but couldnt fit it in anywhere..madmick.

[ID KX500]

madmick,,,you make me laugh, but I think you're on to something. Do you think they designed the auto clutch? I'm riding my 450F tomorrow,,,,no madmick,,,,there isn't a gay parade,,,,not that there would be anything wrong with that.

[Friar-Tuck]

 
  You guys crack me up X's 2!
    Tuck\o/
 

[IceRacer]

  Man, I think your all crazy! I do hope that they start to remake 500s again and i do hope that the manufacturers see that 2 strokes are better than 4 strokes and concentrate on trying to make 2 strokes better.

[Big Yac]

I think madmick's gay theory is partially correct.  People got lazy and discovered that they could do things on a 4 stroke much easier than a 2 stroke.  You don't have to work as hard on a 250F or 450F to clear jumps, go fast, etc as you do on a 125 or 250 two stroke.  I will say that atleast in the US I think the noise of the 4 strokes are helping to close down our riding land.  A gate full of 125s taking off is far less offensive than a gate full of fourstrokes.   
My take on the 500's is that people have this idea that a 500 is a fire breathing beast that will throw you off at will.  I was the same way until I rode a friend's 500.  Yes they are fast and more tiring than a small bike but they sure aren't as bad as people, who have not ridden one, think.  I compare the power of my KX 500 to a bigger more aggressive version on my KDX 200.  There's no real hit to the power like a 125 or 250, to me the power is always there and when you need more you just twist the throttle some more.  Granted I have not ridden a non powervalved 500 like a CR, though I would like to try one.

[IceRacer]

big yac im with you about people misunderstanding 500s. When i first rode a 500 i was scared at first but after i started going i realized it was just another bike but it had more power. and the key thing with 500s is you just have to respect them the most. because if you don't then yes they will through you off and break your bones.

[madmick]

non power valved cr500 = 52/3 hp, power valve kx500 = 65 hp, would that not be taking a step backwards.?.