2016 YZ450F vs 2001 KX500, with laptimes

ben990
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9/2/2016 7:54am
2016 YZ450F vs. 2001 KX500



It was time for a shootout; a 2016 Yamaha YZ450F versus a 2001 Kawasaki KX500. Modern technology versus old and proven technology. I brought both bikes to the Pavilion MX track in Western NY for their Saturday practice from 11am-3pm. Conditions were perfect. The first practice the track was a little soft, but the track worked in nicely. I was rushed and didn't have enough time to put the lap timer on my bike before the start of the first practice, but I had it on for the next three. It wouldn't have meant much anyways as I was rolling a lot of the obstacles, getting a feel for the track, and the track needed to be worked in too.

Here are the details:

Rider: 50 years old, 215 pound amateur.

Bikes: A bone stock 2016 Yamaha YZ450 with about 6 hours on it. A stock Kawasaki KX500 with heavier springs, and a clutch actuation lever that is about 10mm longer than stock.

Engine: The KX500 is slightly faster, and hits harder, and is a little more violent. The YZ is smoother, more linear, and pulls absolutely forever. I would prefer the KX500 on the start; start in 2nd, shift to third, and it is like a rocket - you just find yourself way out front. The KX500 is a little harder to use around the rest of the track though. The YZ is so unbelievably responsive, and no matter what gear you are in, or what RPM you are at, it just pulls and pulls and pulls. I love the YZ motor.


Handling/Turning: Everyone always says the KX500 turns like a bus pulling a trailer, but I don't see this on a fast motocross track. I have no problem turning this thing or going through ruts. It is a pretty stable chassis. The YZ is a very good handling bike too. I give the nod to the YZ.

Suspension: The Yamaha suspension is really good, and it soaks up all of the track junk really well. This is one of the main reasons I bought it. It inspires confidence and begs me to hit things harder and harder. The KX500 suspension actually felt better than I thought it would, but it still wasn't close to the YZ450 suspension.

Brakes: The YZ brakes were a lot better than the KX500 brakes, but I was OK with the KX500 brakes once I got used to them. I am going to look into an oversize rotor for the KX500 though.

Ease of Riding: The YZ is so easy to ride, way easier to ride than the KX500. At the end of a practice, I felt like I could go more laps on the YZ4550. I never felt that way on the KX500, especially as the track got rougher. I was always tired at the end on the KX, and I felt like I could keep going on the YZ.

Coolness Factor: No question, the KX500 is way cooler. Nobody gives a YZ450 a second thought, while everybody turns their head when you start the KX500 and head to the line. I had many people check out the bike, asking me what year it was, and so forth.

Cost: I have about $2100 total into my KX500, and $6500 into my YZ450, which I bought with less than 2 hours on it. I could get a spare KX500, and a spare KX500 for my spare, for what I have into the YZ450. Expensive sigh.

Lap times: I was surprised at how close my lap times were. I did 4 practices total, and here are what the times were, along with some notes:

Practice 1: On the YZ450, no timer on bike. Conditions were slippery and the track was being worked in. I spent a couple laps rolling around getting a feel for the track.

Practice 2: On the KX500.
Lap 1-3: 7:44 - I forgot to hit the timer button one lap, and my 2nd lap there was a caution flag on the finish line, so I was distracted and didn't hit the button. If I divide the time by three, I get ~2:35.
Lap 4: 2:31

Practice 3: On the YZ450
Lap 1: 2:30.4
Lap 2: 2:30
Lap 3: 2:23.3 - started doing a double-double section instead of rolling it
Lap 4: 2:29.5 - couple caution flags on track
Lap 5: 2:29.6 - couple caution flags on track

Practice 4: On the KX500
Lap 1: 2:30
Lap 2: 2:25
Lap 3: 2:28
Lap 4: 2:32 - starting to get real tired and sloppy


Conclusion: The YZ450 is easier to ride fast, and in a race my lap times would be slightly better and more consistent on the YZ450. I would also be stronger at the end of a moto. The KX500 is surprisingly effective though - if you are in shape, and you don't try to ride it like a 250. Riding it like a 250 will make you feel like a rag doll a few minutes into a moto. And I just know I would get the holeshot on the KX500... but then I would have to put up with it for 4 1/2 more laps.

Winner: Me! Because I have both! Laughing



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9/2/2016 8:05am
Awesome, its mostly rider when you have bikes so close in power, Have fun with them!
mx_phreek
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9/2/2016 8:08am
Haha nice writeup. And yeah don't ride like a 250. I borrowed one for a practice session one time and rode it like my 250, the track was pretty hard pack and very choppy so not the best for one of those. But I swear to God my shoulders and upper arms where toast for a good 4 days after! I literally couldn't pick my arms up and put them straight out in front of me for 4 days! Seriously the struggle was real trying to reach out and open my front door.. No lie lol. But dang it was fun lol.
DA498
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9/2/2016 8:13am
Fun read, thanks for that. I have a '13 yz450 and a '01 KX250. No comparison but the KX is teaching me to ride the 450 more aggresive. Definitly a differnt skill set for each, of which I lack on both. Having fun tho.
PRM31
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9/2/2016 8:14am Edited Date/Time 9/2/2016 8:16am
Very cool! Thanks for sharing!

Not bad for a 15 year old bike. It would be interesting to try that with a 250 2t someday. One that handles well like an RM or YZ.

The Shop

Joko
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9/2/2016 9:45am
Ben, were you able to do the double double section
for your best of 2:25 on the KX?
731chopper
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9/2/2016 9:50am
PRM31 wrote:
Very cool! Thanks for sharing! Not bad for a 15 year old bike. It would be interesting to try that with a 250 2t someday. One...
Very cool! Thanks for sharing!

Not bad for a 15 year old bike. It would be interesting to try that with a 250 2t someday. One that handles well like an RM or YZ.
Especially when you consider that 15 year old bike is really more like 25 years old.
mx510
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9/2/2016 9:54am
You definitely are the winner, great bikes and coo read.
BobPA
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9/2/2016 10:24am
What are you using for a lap timer? Cool write up...keep them coming
9/2/2016 10:30am Edited Date/Time 9/2/2016 10:36am
PRM31 wrote:
Very cool! Thanks for sharing! Not bad for a 15 year old bike. It would be interesting to try that with a 250 2t someday. One...
Very cool! Thanks for sharing!

Not bad for a 15 year old bike. It would be interesting to try that with a 250 2t someday. One that handles well like an RM or YZ.
731chopper wrote:
Especially when you consider that 15 year old bike is really more like 25 years old.
It was the same bike since the '88, so 29 years old by model year.
PRM31
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9/2/2016 11:30am
This made me think that if you wanted to save money, you could probably pick up an older 2t, and using what you saved, take care of the important stuff, and then spend an afternoon with a good suspension and engine tuner. You'd probably be faster with that than whatever benefits a new bike bring. Not a knock on new bikes, but it shows that the "quantum" leaps you read about, really aren't that big.
9/2/2016 11:45am Edited Date/Time 9/2/2016 11:45am
PRM31 wrote:
This made me think that if you wanted to save money, you could probably pick up an older 2t, and using what you saved, take care...
This made me think that if you wanted to save money, you could probably pick up an older 2t, and using what you saved, take care of the important stuff, and then spend an afternoon with a good suspension and engine tuner. You'd probably be faster with that than whatever benefits a new bike bring. Not a knock on new bikes, but it shows that the "quantum" leaps you read about, really aren't that big.
For most of us vets, spending some money on a gym membership would do way more for lap times than any money that could be spent on the bike, old or new.
9/2/2016 12:11pm
PRM31 wrote:
This made me think that if you wanted to save money, you could probably pick up an older 2t, and using what you saved, take care...
This made me think that if you wanted to save money, you could probably pick up an older 2t, and using what you saved, take care of the important stuff, and then spend an afternoon with a good suspension and engine tuner. You'd probably be faster with that than whatever benefits a new bike bring. Not a knock on new bikes, but it shows that the "quantum" leaps you read about, really aren't that big.
And you'll be way cooler spanking the 2017 4 strokes on your old 2 stroke
seth505
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9/2/2016 12:27pm
Fuck ya! That's all I got....
JM485
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9/2/2016 12:59pm
The 500s get a bad rap for some reason, they're actually pretty easy to ride as you found out and with modern suspension I think they would be a force to be reckoned with. I have a cr500 that mostly gets used for hillclimbing but it's a good bike in the track to, fun to go play around on for sure.

Great write up btw, I'd like to give something like this a try sometime.
cable
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9/2/2016 1:24pm
A lot of guys up here Ice race them as they're easy to control.
slipdog
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9/2/2016 1:28pm
Thanks Ben, finally a thread that was worth reading and nobody can argue about it's content!
Graybeard
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9/2/2016 1:35pm
Great write-up Ben, thanks! We need to know the "smile factor" for each as well!
bvm111
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9/2/2016 1:38pm
Ben,

Cool write up for sure!!!

I always say the same thing with my 06 KX250, When I kick it over and idle to the track entrance everyone is checking it out. I am about to purchase a left over 2016 KX450 and cant wait to compare the 2 like you did, should be good since I have never owned a 4 stroke!
FreshTopEnd
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9/2/2016 2:41pm Edited Date/Time 9/2/2016 2:41pm
JM485 wrote:
The 500s get a bad rap for some reason, they're actually pretty easy to ride as you found out and with modern suspension I think they...
The 500s get a bad rap for some reason, they're actually pretty easy to ride as you found out and with modern suspension I think they would be a force to be reckoned with. I have a cr500 that mostly gets used for hillclimbing but it's a good bike in the track to, fun to go play around on for sure.

Great write up btw, I'd like to give something like this a try sometime.
As someone noted, pretty easy to ride as long as you keep it a gear or two higher than one intially might think. IMO single biggest difference between enjoying and being beaten to death by a 500.

Started in fourth on cr500 on hardpack a few times messing around and it was not really a problem after a bit of finesse with the clutch for the first 10 yards or so. Those things pull like clydesdales
mark1960
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9/2/2016 3:02pm
Thanks i enjoyed the story.

So when are you selling the yz to fund an A kit for the KX?
Skidaddle
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9/2/2016 3:31pm
Few in the world can ride a 500 right.
Those that can have championships in various styles of moto.

A good 500 will eat a 450 in the dunes.

Travis Pastrami went 92.4MPH through the whoops at RBSR.
kzizok
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9/2/2016 4:09pm
I must say, that is one of the best comparison write ups Ive ever read. Good job and thanks!
urbanlift707
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9/2/2016 8:43pm Edited Date/Time 9/2/2016 8:44pm
PRM31 wrote:
Very cool! Thanks for sharing! Not bad for a 15 year old bike. It would be interesting to try that with a 250 2t someday. One...
Very cool! Thanks for sharing!

Not bad for a 15 year old bike. It would be interesting to try that with a 250 2t someday. One that handles well like an RM or YZ.
I've done this at A couple tracks on my 2006 rm 250 and my 2015 rmz450. At Hangtown I'm actually about a second faster on my two stroke, I attribute this to my ability to man handle the 250 vs the 450. It was extremely rough when I did the test and I can go down fast rough straights with so much more aggression with the smaller bike. At Zacca which was semi deep sand and had some sections where the 450 could really lay wood in 4th gear, I was on average about 3 seconds faster on the 450 while not even trying as hard. And honestly as far as fun n factor goes, the one that i have not ridden in a while always turns out to be more fun when I hop back on it.
1
Johnny Depp
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9/2/2016 9:01pm
Thanks for the write up!

It is a bit of an eye opener when you start timing laps. What feels fast isn't always fastest.

RaceChrono is a free android app that doesn't require pushing any buttons. Freaking awesome tool for comparing setup changes.
ben990
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9/4/2016 5:04am
I did the double double section on the KX500. It is a pretty easy bike to ride... until you start getting tired!

Here is what I used for timing.



It is for oversized handlebars, so I had to use some duct tape to get it to stay on the handlebars of the KX500.



I push the green button in the same place to record a lap.

Here is what I have planned for my next shootout; a 1995 Honda CR500 versus a 2012 Service Honda CR500AF. Stay tuned.




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