KX500 Differences.

[Uzi9mm]

   What are the differences between 2002 and the 2004?

[c-152]

none -
they really are the same basic bike from 88 - 04

[demographic]

As far as I am aware theres no difference at all between a 02 and 04 KX500.

To be honest theres very little difference between a 90 model and an 04. The engines the same and the plastics, the frame.

About the only difference in the engine I know of is the flywheels a different part number.

The forks are a different diameter, and the brakes are different.
Not much else is though.

[Uzi9mm]

   Thanks for the replies.

[Danger4u2]

In '97 they went to a 3 bearing rear hub.

[KXcam22]

My understanding is the following upgrades over the years:

90   USD forks
92   Plastic front disc guard
93   Took disc guard away
94   larger brakes (I can't recall if this is when they went to floating disks).
97   3 bearing rear hub & larger diameter forks and shock shaft
98 on BNG

Not sure if this is a complete list. Cam.

[Polar-Bus]

My understanding is the following upgrades over the years:

90   USD forks
92   Plastic front disc guard
93   Took disc guard away
94   larger brakes (I can't recall if this is when they went to floating disks).
97   3 bearing rear hub & larger diameter forks and shock shaft
98 on BNG

Not sure if this is a complete list. Cam.

'99 BNG
'00 BNG
'01 BNG
'02 BNG
'03 BNG new silver frame I think this year?
'04 BNG   

[scotscooby]

I think you will find that from 1994 to the end of line the gear change shaft splines increased in size  . The shaft looks like its the same size but you require a different gear change lever. Hope this makes sense.

[KXcam22]

Polar,
  Thats funny.  I also wanted to list the BNG for every year.......Cam.

[MadKaw]

BNG?
 and my 93 has floATER FRONT DISC

[serafin]

Somewhere in the mix the tanks went from green to black and the rear wheel went from 18 to 19in.

[demographic]

Somewhere in the mix the tanks went from green to black and the rear wheel went from 18 to 19in.

The change to 19" rear must have been before 90 cos both of my 90s had 19" rears.

One still has but the other has a 4.25 X 17" along with a 3.5" X 17" front on there now.

[hughes]

89 was the rear rim change from 18 to 19.

[Polar-Bus]

Don't know if any of you are aware of the method Kawasaki uses for designating years, but here is a quick FYI: When Kawasaki introduces a new bike platform it will always begin as an "A" model. For example the 1983 KX500A1. If Kawasaki does not make any major chassis upgrades, the following years bike will be called an "A2". When Kawasaki totally revamped the chassis in 1985, it then is labeled the "B1", and an '86 being the "B2". In 1987 they made a significant rear suspension change so now its a "C1" and so on. My '01 is an "E13", so the chassis is 13 years old (as is the technology, LOL).
If I remember right, Kawasaki's KE100 bike is like an "A16" model, so I guess you don't mess with a good selling bike....

[FuriouSly]

Nice post Polar-Bus.  I wish that the KX5 was a little more nimble in its factory release in the 2000 models.  I don't have any aspirations to make an AF or MF conversion,  but the geometry is definatley dated for any technical track/woods riding.  For the sand though,  a cushy seat on top of the 500cc is more than fine for me.

Sly