MXA gets religion

they just tested the CR500AF as well..look for an article soon " title="Wink">

[quote="WORCSRACER":2t87yhif]In the current issue they test and review the KTM 300XC for MX. Long story short, they loved it.

Any one who thinks a two stroke can't run with a 450 four stroke has never ridden a KTM 300XC. Why KTM doesn't actually sell a SX version is beyond me and if the Japanese manufacturers had any common sense we'd have 5 300 two strokes to choose from.

Now that would be advancing the sport.[/quote:2t87yhif]


[size=200:2t87yhif]AMEN! [/size:2t87yhif]

My good buddy likes to be different. He previously raced a CR500 until last yr when he surprised us all (kinda) with a 07 KTM 300 EXC. He spent $800 to get the suspension Moto-worthy but ruined it for single track. Oh well he is the eternal optimist and luvs his bike and truly feels the bike is not at a disadvantage to 450's. When I watch him on the track this does not seem to be the case as I believe he could go faster on a 450. I will not tell him that though...And yes I think he got the idea from an MXA article awhile back.

Oh well better him than me.

For singletrack I wouldn't mind one, but I'll keep my fooofidddy thank-you. " title="Smile">

yep, I guess I don't fully understand today's market or the sport. I love, and always have preferred, open class 2-strokes. I love the ride, the way the things work and just the pure thrill. Even if there isn't enough of them out there, or enough people riding them to fill a gate on Sunday, it's too bad the industry doesn't see fit to produce these things anymore. Thank you, AJ and SH, and the other hardcore guys out there keeping the open class 2-stroke alive.

I've ridden the '08 300XC and my stock and then modified '08 250SX and the 250 just revs faster and pulls better up top, even stock. The 300 is very tractable but is just not an MX motor. I'd like to see a purpose built 300cc MX motor from KTM.

I am considerably faster on my 250SX than I am on my CRF450 but no way could I ride the 300XC as fast on a track.

The 250SX by the way was pretty slow stock but responded VERY well to some well placed mods. The difference is huge! I saved like 2K by buying the 2 stroke over a new 450 and then I put about $700 into the 2s motor and boy is it fun to ride fast!

Im subscribing to the MXA. On principle I have too...

[quote="AJ":krljd01j]they just tested the CR500AF as well..look for an article soon " title="Wink">[/quote:krljd01j]

...with my "special" shifter bolt! REM was fun AJ!

[quote="WORCSRACER":rvnchq3d][quote="G-man":rvnchq3d]My good buddy likes to be different. He previously raced a CR500 until last yr when he surprised us all (kinda) with a 07 KTM 300 EXC. He spent $800 to get the suspension Moto-worthy but ruined it for single track. Oh well he is the eternal optimist and luvs his bike and truly feels the bike is not at a disadvantage to 450's. When I watch him on the track this does not seem to be the case as I believe he could go faster on a 450. I will not tell him that though...And yes I think he got the idea from an MXA article awhile back.

Oh well better him than me.

For singletrack I wouldn't mind one, but I'll keep my fooofidddy thank-you. " title="Smile">[/quote:rvnchq3d]


The part of the article that I thought was interesting was, it seems that MXA is surprised that a supple (softer) suspension could actually work on an MX track.[/quote:rvnchq3d]

Rick Allen a local pro here in Georgia in the late 70's showed me the light on that setup when we were running 79 Kawi's with Fox airs. Set that lower chamber on soft and you will be faster the last 4 laps.

lol rocket!

yeap REM was a good time..

and thanks for the bolt! saved the day.. " title="Wink">

[quote="Suns_PSD":iw8za5ir] The 250SX by the way was pretty slow stock but responded VERY well to some well placed mods. The difference is huge! I saved like 2K by buying the 2 stroke over a new 450 and then I put about $700 into the 2s motor and boy is it fun to ride fast![/quote:iw8za5ir]
do tell of your well placed mods for those who still buy 2 smokes...

Soon to be for sale:

2004 CRF450R. Good shape. Garage kept. Well maintained. Proceeds will go to a good cause: present owner needs to use the money on his RM suspension and soon to be CR500AF.

Like I posted in another thread, I rode my 500AF in the woods for a couple of hours yesterday, and the thing was awesome. It's geared a little high for real tight woods, but the ability to just hit the throttle and go wherever you want was terrific. Big two strokes definitely have advantages. The only real disadvantage to mine is it uses a lot of gas and doesn't have as much range as a normal bike - a 3 gallon tank is a real good idea on a 500 if you're going to ride in the woods. My 14 year old rode it around the motocross track, and he really liked it, although he was scared of it at first; and he's used to a YZ85. He didn't go fast on it, but he had a lot of fun. And he's the only kid in his school who can say he's ridden a 500, I guarantee that. He's probably bummed this morning that it's spring break and he couldn't go to school and brag about it...

[quote="Suns_PSD":3fiqos2g]
The 250SX by the way was pretty slow stock but responded VERY well to some well placed mods. The difference is huge! I saved like 2K by buying the 2 stroke over a new 450 and then I put about $700 into the 2s motor and boy is it fun to ride fast![/quote:3fiqos2g]

Yeah tell me what you done to your 250sx. I´m looking to buy new 250sx as soon my 125sx is sold.
I wish that i have extra money to keep my 125 in my garage and get 250 aswell " title="Smile">

Hey AJ,

Any contingency with that beast?

[quote="Jaze":1s66e8mp][quote="Suns_PSD":1s66e8mp]
The 250SX by the way was pretty slow stock but responded VERY well to some well placed mods. The difference is huge! I saved like 2K by buying the 2 stroke over a new 450 and then I put about $700 into the 2s motor and boy is it fun to ride fast![/quote:1s66e8mp]

Yeah tell me what you done to your 250sx. I´m looking to buy new 250sx as soon my 125sx is sold.
I wish that i have extra money to keep my 125 in my garage and get 250 aswell " title="Smile">[/quote:1s66e8mp]

Well at first it was so slow stock it really couldn't even pull 4th gear so I added a tooth to the rear sprocket which helped a bit.

I started w/ the JD jet kit and it helped bring the jetting around and made the bike much crisper off the bottom. ($79) The jetting was so bad stock that if you just hammered the throttle it would stutter so bad that one time I almost went over the bars!

I then played w/ the PV and went w/ the softest spring (has the hardest hit) and turned the adjuster all the way out. This makes the power hit quicker and does help. Also played w/ the ignition wire. Leave it plugged in.

Then I added a PC pipe. ($199) The bike didn't even feel faster w/ this pipe but I hit the same jump I always do the same way I always had and I flew like 5' farther. Top end pull was definitely longer and the powerband remained very smooth.

Bike was pinging pretty bad at this point on pump gas so I added in 50% VP C-12. ($9/ gallon) Bike ran crisper and I had to lean it out quite a bit w/ the race fuel.

I had heard that all 250s should run the 38mm carb and that the 250SX only had a 36mm carb. This was good for smoothness but not so good for power. Instead of buying a whole new carb I shipped it to http://www.rb-designs.com. ($140) He bored the carb (the 36 and 38mm carb are the same casting, one is just bored more) and installed a divider plate that mounts flush w/ the slide. When the slide is only up 1/2 throttle it's like your carb is 1/2 the size that it actually is. The divider plate really made my bottom end rich (because the carb now has greater velocity) but once I leaned it out the bottom end was much cleaner and the top end pull was better as well. I had to go up one size on the main jet and down on the pilot.

Then I yanked out the entire motor and I dropped it off at Munn's racing. I told them I wanted the widest, smoothest, strongest powerband I could get and it needed to be able to run on 1/2 race gas. So they ported it and did some head work. ($387) I took them the entire motor because they said they could be more exact if they measured piston protrusion on my actual motor. They didn't even charge me for disassembly just some gaskets and such. It didn't even need rings even though it had about 10-15 hours of hard use on it. This was the one that was the real shocker. Basically you could click the thing up into 4th gear and it would just CHURN like a 450 in 3rd. I had to go back to stock gearing. I'd bet it dynoes more than my CRF450 w/ just a slightly skinnier powerband now. When it was stock it was not even in the same league as my stock '05 CRF450.

I'm thrilled w/ this bike now. My last problem is if the track gets really beat the rear shock will kick quite a bit so that will be my last thing to mess w/.

Tim-

Contingency on the red ones has never been a problem ..
i've run plenty of local events (like wardys) with honda contengency programs
as well as LL's over the years.. and any "contengncy" earned always showed up quickly on my "honda card"

also- the CR500AF bikes meet AMAs *homo* rules ,
as well in the AMA Pro classes where open 2strokes actuall yhave a class (super motard etc)


i havnt checked into the situation on the KX500AF,
for kawasaki contingency.

AJ - let us know which issue the MXA test comes out in. I want to make sure to get it.

A-men brethren !!

I demonstrated my faith by purchasing a kTM 300 MXC.


orange olger

[quote:3too0whc]i havnt checked into the situation on the KX500AF,
for kawasaki contingency.[/quote:3too0whc]

Hmmmmm. If a 2007 or 2008 frame is used.....who's to know it doesn't have a 250f or 450f engine? I might check into that tomorrow.

How much is a Kwacker (cheapest base model - stock boingers, etc.) and how long for delivery?

Just found out..... http://www.servicehonda.com/kx500af.html

[quote:3too0whc]2008 KX500AF $10,999

Service Honda is proud to introduce the KX500AF. The KX500AF has been in development for over a year in order to bring the finished product up to the high standards you expect of Service Honda. The KX500AF builds on the vast knowledge and experience we have developed from the legendary 500AF. It was natural that Kawasaki would choose to tap the expertise of Service Honda in developing and producing the KX500AF.

Built from all new components and parts through a special arrangment with Kawasaki, the KX500AF is a completely developed high performance alternative to expensive to maintain 4 strokes. Details, develpment, and product support are just some of the reasons Service Honda is recognized the leader in special production bikes and the KX500AF does not disappoint, from crisp clutch lever feel to the fully developed and highly recommended optional suspension by Mx-Tech the refinement of the KX500AF package is apparent.

The KX500AF utilizes the advanced, modern aluminum chassis with refined suspension and an aggressive green look. The KX500AF combines the fierce power of the power valve equiped KX500 engine and the advanced features of the latest aluminum chassis and supension resulting in a lightweight, ultrapowerful motorcycle.

The KX500AF combination of light weight big power and great stability result in a bike that is as at home on a motocross track as it is in the desert and is ready to to tackle the steepest dunes with ease. You never have to worry about needing more power when you are the KX500AF.

Delivery time will vary from 6-7 weeks from the receipt of your deposit for motorcycles built to your specifications.

[/quote:3too0whc]

Best off road bike I ever rode was my 05 300, the only reason I went back to 4 strokes is for riding dual sports, and having the bike plated is great.