Kawasaki KX500: review, history, specs

Class: motocross

Production: 1983-2004

Models
Kawasaki KX500 (KX500-A) 1983-1984 (North America)	Kawasaki KX500 (KX500-B) 1985-1986 (North America)	Kawasaki KX500 (KX500-C) 1987 (North America)
Kawasaki KX500 (KX500A) 1983-1984	Kawasaki KX500 (KX500B) 1985-1986	Kawasaki KX500 (KX500C) 1987

Models
Kawasaki KX500 (KX500-D) 1988 (North America, Europe)	Kawasaki KX500 (KX500-E) 1989-2004 (North America, Europe, Australia)
Kawasaki KX500 (KX500D) 1988	Kawasaki KX500 (KX500E) 1989-2004

History

History
Year	Country	Name / Frame / Engine
1983	North America	Name: Kawasaki KX500 Code: KX500-A1
1984	North America	Name: Kawasaki KX500 Code: KX500-A2
1985	North America	Name: Kawasaki KX500 Code: KX500-B1
1986	North America	Name: Kawasaki KX500 Code: KX500-B2
1987	North America	Name: Kawasaki KX500 Code: KX500-C1
1988	North America, Europe	Name: Kawasaki KX500 Code: KX500-D1
1989	North America, Europe	Name: Kawasaki KX500 Code: KX500-E1
1990	North America, Europe, Australia	Name: Kawasaki KX500 Code: KX500-E2
1991	North America, Europe, Australia	Name: Kawasaki KX500 Code: KX500-E3
1992	North America, Europe, Australia	Name: Kawasaki KX500 Code: KX500-E4
1993	North America, Europe, Australia	Name: Kawasaki KX500 Code: KX500-E5
1994	North America, Europe, Australia	Name: Kawasaki KX500 Code: KX500-E6
1995	North America, Europe, Australia	Name: Kawasaki KX500 Code: KX500-E7
1996	North America, Europe, Australia	Name: Kawasaki KX500 Code: KX500-E8
1997	North America, Europe, Australia	Name: Kawasaki KX500 Code: KX500-E9
1998	North America, Europe, Australia	Name: Kawasaki KX500 Code: KX500-E10
1999	North America, Europe, Australia	Name: Kawasaki KX500 Code: KX500-E11
2000	North America, Europe, Australia	Name: Kawasaki KX500 Code: KX500-E12
2001	North America, Europe, Australia	Name: Kawasaki KX500 Code: KX500-E13
2002	North America, Europe, Australia	Name: Kawasaki KX500 Code: KX500-E14
2003	North America, Europe, Australia	Name: Kawasaki KX500 Code: KX500-E15
2004	North America	Name: Kawasaki KX500 Code: KX500-E16

Specifications

Kawasaki KX500 (KX500-E, 1989-2004): specs.

Specifications
DIMENSIONS	Overall length	2190 mm / 86,2 in
	Overall width	815 mm / 32,1 in
	Overall height	1205 mm / 47,4 in
	Seat height	950 mm / 37,4 in
	Wheelbase	1490 mm / 58,7 in
	Ground clearance	370 mm / 14,5 in
	Dry weight	100 kg / 220 lbs
	Curb (wet) weight	106 kg / 233 lbs
FRAME	Type	Semi double-cradle (steel)
	Front suspension, travel	Inverted telescopic air fork (adjustable) , 300 mm / 11,8 in
	Rear suspension, travel	Swingarm Uni-Trak with mono-shock (adjustable), 330 mm / 13,0 in
	Front tire size	80/100-21 51M
	Rear tire size	110/100-18 64M 110/90-19 62M – KX500 (USA) 120/100-18 68M – KX500 (Europe)
	Front brake	Single disc, 220 mm, 2-piston caliper
	Rear brake	Single disc, 190 mm, 1-piston caliper
	Fuel capacity	9,9 l / 2,61 US gal
	Trail	112 mm / 4,4 in 119 mm / 4,68 in – KX500 (USA)
	Fuel economy / consumption
ENGINE	Type	Water-cooled 2-stroke
	Cylinder arrangement	Single cylinder
	Bore & Stroke	86,0 x 86,0 mm
	Displacement	499 cm³ (30,4 cu-in)
	Compression ratio	6.8:1 (high speed), 7.7:1 (low speed)
	Valve train	Piston reed valve
	Max. power	63,5 hp (46,7 kW) / 7000 rpm
	Max. torque	65,7 Nm (6,7 kg*m) / 6000 rpm
	Acceleration 0 to 100 km/h (0-60 mph)
	Top speed
CARBURETION SYSTEM	Type	Carburetor, 1x Keihin PWK39
CARBURETION SYSTEM	ID
DRIVE TRAIN	Clutch	Wet, multi-plate, cable operated
	Transmission	5-speed constant mesh
	Final drive	Chain
	Primary reduction	2.538
	Final reduction	3.357
	Gear ratio I II III IV V	2.000 1.450 1.181 0.954 0.791
ELECTRICAL	Ignition	CDI
	Alternator
	Battery capacity