Kawasaki KX500 2-Stroke VS KX450F 4-Stroke

[stuart70_au]

A cool little video with Destry Abbott.

http://www.dirtrider.com/features/video-kawasaki-kx

[sandblaster]

Thanks for posting that...

[reklessj]

Great vid!! Can't wait till I get my new issue to read more

[ramblnman]

so destry says 4 strokes are the way to go!!  so who's going?  LOL

[sandblaster]

I like my 500.... Don't want to spend 2500 to do a minor top end rebuild....Wouldn't go any faster on average on a 450... And I like the intimidation factor of a 2T 500.
I'm stayin with what I like.

[Dutch-K5 Fan]

Great to see, only I have my questions about his awnser.
Ofcourse he can not say that a bike of minimal 10(or 25) years old is better than what you buy new from Kawasaki.
Don't know if Destry still fully rides for Kawasaki, but Saying your (old) boss gives you a "bad"bike.
For my self, I think I'm faster on a 2T 250 or a 4t 450 on smaller mx tracks. Like Sandblaster says, I like the
INTIMIDATION of a 2T 500


dutchie

[Twosmokerfan]

Yep. Staying with the 500. Went to a trail ride on the weekend and was the only 500 there in amongst 500+ bikes. It turned some heads. Not many left in oz, especially in Queensland.

Got some video footage I will post soon. Love my 500.
TSF

[Ims Roll]

I'm sure destry still get "some" free b's from kawi for as long as hes been with them, or at least huge discounts. (or he wouldn't be on a jap bike for EX) With kawi not making two strokes and two strokes making a come back, I could see how kawi would want him to favor the 450...
Or he could actually like the 4  humper better, they are easy to ride.

[Pmcg]

When I was younger my Dad and I restored a 1966 corvette. It had the 427 and was an absolute animal to drive. Today's corvettes are faster everywhere but not nearly as much fun. I feel like the 500 is the same thing. Destry probably is faster on the 450 but nothing touches the 500 in the animalistic fun department.

[Foxx4Beaver]

I just straight up hate everything about 4T's....the obnoxious noise they make is the #1 thing I hate most...I have absolutely no desire to ride something that sounds like a lawnmower with no muffler, besides my lawnmower with no muffler
don't even ask my opinion on those H-D toilets.

[KXDINO]

I have a 14 kx450 and 2 kx500 ,one in a 250 01 frame ,this is what I see the 500 is faster in area,s that are open to use 3rd to 5th provided there is heaps of traction and big hills the 500 will say goodbye to the 450,but if you have a tight hardpack track with lots of jumps the 450 is better .On a different note ,any one know what kawi is doing with there 15 models ,I see all the other brands info is out ,is kawi holding out on something special all just slow on releasing the information?

[Brute]

I got a little wood watching that vid!
Imagine, if you will, 2 stroke development had continued. Specific frames and parts for the 500 and probably 650 or larger displacement. Sponsored riders. I will state there would be NO competition for them other then other big two strokes. Would that be fun or what?!?!?

[TJXK]

I think his main complaint was the handling. 

I think a 500 in a 450 frame would be a good follow up test.

[alward25]

It is funny reading the fallout from the article, on a KX 500 forum.  We are all nuttier than squirrel crap and we are the few that still would rather throw a leg over our beast than a 450.  After I got my bike back together I look at both my decked out 450 and my 500 and think, "I should sell my 450 to buy more 500 parts."  It is a mans bike, I do not see any girls on this forum asking about how to build their 500 and also very few "men".  We are a small group keeping this bike alive.  Do you think Destry would have got his bike out if a few of us had not been putting the bug in his ear?  Maybe or maybe not.  I like to think it is because we have been busting his chops for long enough he gave in.  He is also at a point in his career he can ride and race whatever he wants.  We will see what the future holds.

Keep roostin' the crap out of everybody else!!!!!

[Dutch-K5 Fan]

but if you have a tight hardpack track with lots of jumps the 450 is better .On a different note ,any one know what kawi is doing with there 15 models ,I see all the other brands info is out ,is kawi holding out on something special all just slow on releasing the information?

Two weeks ago I had a race nearby, It's a hardpack with nice jumps and some sharp turn.
With the first moto in the  paddock?(the place were you lineup just befor the start) Remy van Rees( a Dutch grand prix rider from the 90's who rode for kawaski and later for his own with factory support) was standing in the spot where I had to take place. He smilled and I said to him: You gonne like  my KX500AF. His awnser: Man it's great but not for this track!!!! For the sandtrack or the beach it's fun, but just not for here . He rode LE TOUGET with a kx500, he said: man what a bike and fast..

And my race results. I toke 1 holeshot and first moto 4th second moto 17th because some own run the handelbars out off my hands.  

Havend see any thing about the 2015 Kawasaki's


Dutchie