Trees, Rocks, Roots, Rut, and Creeks

[Dan_AKAL]

I must have bounced off of one of these just a few too many times.  I turned 39 the day before yesterday and as MX racers go I'm now ancient!  As woods racers go I'm one of those vet guys who has to start in the back.  Now I may be old and slow but I must be losing my mind.  Well I did already lose it once.  I had it in my pocket but found it later in the washing machine!  Lord help me should it end up in my fanny pack!  But anyway, I am about to proceed turning my newly purchsed 99 KX250 into a woods machine.  It is presently all tricked out for MX but I'm ancient for that.  Anyway, the other day (before my birthday) I was looking at a thread in the 250 Mod section about how one of the members here turned his 03 KX250 into a woods bike.  All of the suspension stuff he did and the guards he put on.  Well, I go to look at it today and it's GONE!  I figure I must have just misplaced the thread, like my mind once before, so I scour here, DRN, and Woods Racer.Com and it is no where to be found!  I know the thread was in the 250 mods section and by someone I recognize from KTMTalk but it ain't there now!  Could somebody help me out and check my fanny pack for me to see if I put it in there.  I'll go check the washing machine!!!!!

[mikesmith]

Try this www.john-stichnoth.com/GreenMachine.html

[Dan_AKAL]

Yep thats it!!!  Thanks Mike.  Where did you find it?  Hope I didn't leave in the motor as I was reassembling it!!!!  I would be even more worried about me than I already am were that the case!

[mikesmith]

Ha!

[Dan_AKAL]

I would be even more worried about me than I already am

Uh Oh! Looks like I did leave it in the motor. Ah, Mike....is this where I should start being more worried about me?  

If that's the case I'm gonna get my 500 tomorrow!  I always said that when I totally lost my mind I'd get a 500 2 stroke.  Now it's looking like it might be time to fulfill that promise!!

[mikesmith]

I dont know about loosing your mind at 39,Im 40.But it does seem like every thing slows down around late 30's!You wont go wrong with a KX500,once you click with it youll love it!

[Dan_AKAL]

A KX500 is in my near future.  It seems I always have to be just outside of mainstream in everything I do.  My favorite HS/Enduro ride has been a KTM 300 EXC but everybody has a KTM nowadays so I want to be different.  The KTM is a great bike.  Loads of torque and good suspension.  However, a KX500 with a flywheel weight will teach a KTM what torque is all about!  Then with a little help from Race Tech, WER, or someone like that I should have a very good suspension.  I just found a 99 KX250 and I figure I'll get my feet wet with it and then move up.  Maybe let my girl ride the 250 when I get my 500.

Now about losing my mind......I think I really did that quite awhile ago so this 500 is somewhat overdue!!!

[Rick]

Heck, 39 isn't old!!  In the regional series, I won the Open Expert Class and 4th overall the year I turned 40.  This year I turned 45, and am switching to the WORCS series, region 1.  Probably start in the Intermediate classes for the first few races, but will no doubt find my way back in the expert ranks.  Just can't stand to be a sandbagger, and hate the age classes.

By the way, I've ridden both 250's and 500's in the woods, and prefer the KX500 with a flywheet weight (sorry Paul) geared 14/47, as it's a tractor that never quits.

Rick

[kawrider]

Hey, Dan:

I just went through choosing between the 250 & the 500.  I got the 500 &, man, am I glad I did.  I like woods riding too, and was a little concerned the 500 would be too fast for me (which it was).  But I've clipped its wings and it is a blast in the woods and Ok on the small tracks too.

I changed the gearing to approximately match the 250 (see my post, "How Low Can You GO?!") in the tech section.  Judging from the responses I got back, I must have one of the lowest-geared K5's on the planet, but I love it.  It will still outrun a stock 250 and only 10lbs. heavier!

Best thing about it is the TORQUE!  Whew! When you're not riding trails, you can always hitch a box-scrape to it and maintain your track.  Maybe even a little row cropping.

The 500's seat (or Lazy-Boy according to Monkeygrrrl) is also nice for those of us with over-40 back-sides... especially on the trails where you can actually use it.

[Paul]

... KX500 with a flywheet weight (sorry Paul) geared 14/47, as it's a tractor that never quits ...

Rick

It's a tractor without that lump

[Dan_AKAL]

I have really liked what I read here about all the satisfied customers the KX500 has.  However, I really didn't want to read the thread about the K5 being discontinued.  I guess if I'm gonna get a new one it had better be now.  Only problem is I can't afford a new one right now.  I really need two and this is what I am working toward.  I ride and race in two parts of the country in it isn't feasible for me to take one bike back and forth.  One can only hope this is just a rumor!

[mikesmith]

No its fact,but theres always a great deal on used ones.And you can normally find one in decent shape.There are a few tricks to setting up the 500,good thing is there all listed here!I dont run a carb spacer (I made one,but haven't tried it yet) but I hear its a good thing to run in the woods with the fly wheel weight! At first the 500 may seem like a hand full in the woods,but stick with it and it works great!

[KXcam22]

Dan,
  I'm another over 40 500 rider. Go for the 500.  Everyone (and me) will tell you that jetting (and a few small mods) are the key.  Jetting, Boysens dual-stage, & a reed spacer make the power on mine very smooth. I ride mine in tight woods with no flywheel weight and 14/48 gearing, just throttle control.   I think the smoother power makes the difference.  Back to back with my buddy's 300EXC (a sweet bike), we both agree the 500 is better, although the 300 brake-slides better. Cam.