From the Classifieds: 2004 Kawasaki KX500AF
One the most intimidating bikes in motocross history could be yoursSome motorcycles are fun, while others are downright scary. The legendary Kawasaki KX500 was both, with a slight bias towards the latter.
The 500cc two-stroke was the king of the dirt bike jungle through the late 80s and early 90s. Models such as the KX500 and the Honda CR500 were popular for their maniacal performance. Not everyone was capable of taming the 500cc two-stroke beasts – they took skill, finesse, and a touch of madness.
Meet the beast
Kawasaki introduced the KX500 in 1983. The air-cooled 500cc motocrosser was popular in open-class motocross racing and desert racing, but the first generation engine wasn’t favourably reviewed. The 1983 issue of Dirt Bike magazine used the words ‘violent’ and ‘unrideable’ to describe the KX500.
A new liquid-cooled engine arrived in 1985, while 1987 saw a new frame with improved suspension. By 1986, the KX500 started to win races, and updates to the engine in 1988 and the addition of reversed forks in 1990 made it even more competitive.
Related Reading:
Review: Honda CR500AFX
2021 Yamaha WR450F Review
Best Motocross: 2020 bikesales Bike of the Year Awards
Winners are grinners
The Kawasaki KX500 captured its first National Motocross championship in 1989 with Jeff Ward. The KX500 also topped the podium in 1990, 1992, and 1993 before the 500cc 2-stroke class was discontinued.
While the Kawi was a force on the track, it was in the desert where it really shone. The Japanese brand won every AMA Hare and Hound Championship between 1991 and 2001, as well as every Baja 1000 between 1988 and 1996. Strangely, the KX500 only won Australia’s Finke Desert Race once – in 1987 with David Armstrong.
End of an era
The KX500 continued until 2004, but large capacity 2-strokes had already begun to fade into obscurity. Riders began to favour four-stroke 450cc machines and the 500cc two-stroke was resigned to history.
Recent years have seen a resurgence in popularity for machines like the KX500 and CR500. Bike builders now value these machines for nostalgia and retro appeal. Used KX500s generally don’t come cheap, with quality examples often few and far between.
The 500cc two-stroke has also lived on through the practice of pairing the engine with a modern frame. These hybrid machines are usually designated with an 'AF', much like the example shown in this bikesales listing.
This Kawasaki KX500AF located in Victoria features a 2004 KX500 engine inserted into a 2012 Kawasaki KX450 frame. The seller is asking for $18,000. The bike appears to be in immaculate condition with only 500kms and 10 hours on the clock.
To find out more about this machine, check the listing HERE.
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
