Jumping the KX 500

[KX Newfie]

I am new to the site, but am not new to the KX 500. I had a 2001 500 a few years back.
I sold it & bought a 05 CRF 450 R.
I ride MX alot at my private track. I only started MX seriously about 5 years ago, & am addicted....BAD !!!

I just added another KX 500 to my stable. What will it take to ride this thing at my track
We have some moderate (50-80 feet} & some large hits at the track {90-120}.
Is it possible
I've searched for pics or vids of the K-5 hitting big jumps, but cannot find anything that encourages me.
I really want to ride this thing at my track.
What can i do aside from doing an Aluminum frame conversion

Thanks ............. also feel free to add any jumping pics or vids 

[redlined_KX500]

I ride MX all the time on my K5.

No problems with the big jumps at all, I think the K5 has much better manners in the air than alot of new bikes.

Check out www.monstermx.com they have plenty of 75-130 ft jumps. I've been jumping those 1-2 days/wk for over a year now with zero problems (except rider malfuctions,lol)

Let me know if you need help with gearing, jetting or engine set up for MX.

[KX Newfie]

Thanks alot Red_Line  Man, i'm gettin wicked excited 
We are in the dead of winter here in the great white north 

I a few months i'll get to find out what the beast is like on the track.
I don't expect it to be anywhere near my CRF 450, but would love to be able to throw down some decent laps on the K5.

The headturn factor alone is worth it .... one thing is fo sho.....i'll practice alot on it Hopefully win a few motos 

Any pics or vids of the K-5 & big air out there

[BDI]

You want to use good throttle controle off the lip if you are on the throttle to hard off the lip the KX500 likes to stand up and hanna on you. I like to role out of the throttle as I leave the face and the bike jumps real nice I have jumped my old Kx 500 as far as 126' before and the bike was right at home doing it.

[Polar-Bus]

One of the great things I like about jumping my 500 is how forgiving a 2 stroke is compered to a 4 stroke with respect to blipping the throttle off the face of the jump. I always approach the jump steady throttle, and "blip" the throttle off the face. It's not the way everyone does it, but it just works consistant at keeping the front tire slightly higher that the rear for me.
If I make a "blip" at the wrong time (Ie.. too early) on my YZ450, hang on because you are going on a front wheel only ride when you land......

2 strokes are far more forgiving off the face of a jump if you make a mistake.

One time my 500 did get the front wheel way too high, and it was because I was riding extra laps fatigued and just got limp armed off the face of the jump....

[Mick]

In the '90s Terry Cable offered a set of triple clamps with a tighter steering angle.  I ride with two guys who have a set on each of their KX's.  It brings the jolly green giant to nearly the CR's level or cornering.  Which is to say not excellent, but much better than stock.  One man is actually a machinist by trade and has made two similar sets himself for other KX500 riders.  If you're interested I could find his contact info.

It's funny...it's not that the KX500 isn't any worse off on a MX track now as it was 20 years ago.  It's just that the tracks the 500 was built for have been phased out.  If you can find a GP style track near you today, your KX would feel right at home.

[KX Newfie]

I am determined to make this a decent MX weapon.
So i guess alot of research for upgrades is in order.
Few bucks to i bet...LOL !!!

Thanks for the input.

Again, any pics or vids of the K5 jumpin

[KXcam22]

For me front tire choice was by far the most iportant factor in getting the KX to corner nicely. I went through 3 different front tires before I found one that worked for me and gave me what I wanted. The stock K490 was the worst.  I also run my forks up in the clamps 10mm. Cam.

[redlined_KX500]

Mick,

I'm interested in a set of those triple clamps if you still have contact info.

Curious how many degrees different than stock angle you end up with.

Thanks,
Walter

[ma71t]

not to be a dink but with 10+ years on a dirt bike and 5+ racing if youre riding at your own "private track" and are already hitting jumps that big why are you asking how and if a 500 will do it??? id hope by now youd just have the feel for jumps and be able to do them on any displacement bike with just a difference in the twist of the wrist and a few other minor details

just my .02

[Polar-Bus]

I am determined to make this a decent MX weapon.
So i guess alot of research for upgrades is in order.
Few bucks to i bet...LOL !!!

Thanks for the input.

Again, any pics or vids of the K5 jumpin

Add the  optional tall seat foam pad, it makes a gentler transition when sliding foreward on the KX500 for agressive cornering.

[BigGreenMachine]

KX Newfie, are you on the local NL forums? What screen name? Who's KX500 did you buy? Hybrids Gorr ported 2001?

James

[doordie]

Mick,

I'm interested in a set of those triple clamps if you still have contact info.

Curious how many degrees different than stock angle you end up with.

Thanks,
Walter

Walter,do you mean trail and steamoffset and not steering angle,OR do you want to modifie frame
to sharpen up the steering angle(27*)?
I?m just planing to reduce trail for more turning action for my K5 supermotard.
Stock steam offset are 20mm and I will reduce it to 18mm to see what?s happen...

You can raise forklegs in tripleclamp,change to KX250(1989)gastank and taller seat!

[Polar-Bus]

Walter,do you mean trail and steamoffset and not steering angle,OR do you want to modifie frame
to sharpen up the steering angle(27*)?

Better have one STIFF steering stabilizer......     I could barely hang on to a stock KX500's handlebars, let alone one that has been offset for more agressive cornering !!

[Dutch-K5 Fan]

Best way to jump with a K5 is to approach the jump as hard as you can. And gentle roll of the throttle on the face of the jump.
Then you can fly with a nice arc to land on the rear of the jump without airbraking(on tabletops).

And not "blip" the throttle off the face
This makes those nasty asskicks!!!!

Highspeed befor the jump: more jumping distance.

"Blipping" the throttle on the face of the jump: more altitude.

      Dutchie