KX 500 and New Mexico...

[Larry Gude]

...Just got back from Albuquerque, did two days of riding, first time on a KX and Oh MY GAWDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!! Freakin' rocket ship.

The company, the views, the bikes...just absolutely awesome. First time on a 500 and it was everything I was told to expect and then some.

Day 1 was gorgeous, lots of small track turns which I needed because I suck, a bunch of trails and then sand that KICKED MY ass. Chicken sh1t.

Day two was way more gorgeous, hill climbs, whoops galore and the views...
Started off with 4 straight miles of nothing but whoops, stopped for a beer and I freaking collapsed! By the end of the day I had sand down pretty good; speed, speed, speed...and I see whoops in my sleep and still feel like I'm out there.

Anyway, just awesome, awesome riding, wanted to brag about it and share the trip a bit. If you can ever get out there to ride, gotta be a trip you'll remember.





PS: My smart ass friend calls the second pic "Larry blending in with his surroundings"

 

[Homer J]

I'm so jealous. I rode a KX 500 for about 5 years. Had to sell it a couple years ago because my back would not take the beating anymore. Sounds like a great trip.

 

[desertrat]

Looks like a blast!

 

[Dutch6]

 

[bobbyb]

I road for years had a Yam 360 back in the early 70s. Busted up my knee on the trail and can't do it anymore. Soooo sad.

 

[Larry Gude]

...

I'm so jealous. I rode a KX 500 for about 5 years. Had to sell it a couple years ago because my back would not take the beating anymore. Sounds like a great trip.

...you mean the 'hold on for dear life' beating when you give it a pinch more right hand than you meant to?

 

[Tomcat]

...Just got back from Albuquerque, just awesome, awesome riding, wanted to brag about it and share the trip a bit. If you can ever get out there to ride, gotta be a trip you'll remember.





PS: My smart ass friend calls the second pic "Larry blending in with his surroundings"

Used to love riding out there (2 wheels and 4 wheeling) when I went out to the inlaws. A little further south from Albuqerque in Truth or Consequences, Elephant Butte Lake area.

 

[Larry Gude]

...

Used to love riding out there (2 wheels and 4 wheeling) when I went out to the inlaws. A little further south from Albuqerque in Truth or Consequences, Elephant Butte Lake area.

...when it snowed on Friday and wiped out Saturday, we were gonna head down that way to Alamogordo some damn where if need be.

New Mexico is amazing in so many ways. Sunday on the west side of ABQ was in the lower 40's and windy, but totally ride-able where as the mountains, what, 30 miles East was still covered.

Monday, we were in T shirts part of the time and I got some sun, yet in the shadows, you could kick the sand and there was still snow underneath here and there.

Amazing, amazing place.

 

[Tomcat]

I remember riding while it was snowing, not wearing more than a flannel shirt. Sure isn't like the biting, damp cold we have here.

 

[Larry Gude]

...

I remember riding while it was snowing, not wearing more than a flannel shirt. Sure isn't like the biting, damp cold we have here.

...humidity and cold; tough on people.

 

[Lugnut]

Sounds like a great time Larry!

 

[Homer J]

...you mean the 'hold on for dear life' beating when you give it a pinch more right hand than you meant to?

I only did that a couple times. My hands came right off the bars once. Broke the clutch lever and tore my riding pants.

The worst beating was the bumps and jumps on the trails and track, that and lifting the beast on to the stand between rides.

 

[Larry Gude]

...

I only did that a couple times. My hands came right off the bars once. Broke the clutch lever and tore my riding pants.

The worst beating was the bumps and jumps on the trails and track, that and lifting the beast on to the stand between rides.

...so it's more of a pounding than a smaller bike on the whoops and stuff? I was thinking it would absorb it better? I have little experience to compare it to. I know I'd darn well prefer the KX for what we were doing to my CRF230F.

 

[Homer J]

...so it's more of a pounding than a smaller bike on the whoops and stuff? I was thinking it would absorb it better? I have little experience to compare it to. I know I'd darn well prefer the KX for what we were doing to my CRF230F.

I don't think the size of the bike had any bearing on the beating, although the suspension on the beast has not been upgraded as much as the newer thumpers. It was just the type of riding more than anything. MX and a 40 year old back with a bulging disk just are not a good combination no matter what size bike.

The KX500 is an incredible bike. I think what I liked about it more than anything, other than the unlimited power and monsterous sound, was the looks I would get from other riders when they realized what it was. Most folks think you are a bit crazy for riding something that weighs 220 pounds with close to 60 horse power.

If you decide you want to step up to the open class two stroke, here is a good community to get to know. KX Riders - Index

Ride on brother.

Oh BTW, here is my former ride.

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