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Author Topic: 1988 KTM MX500  (Read 9993 times)

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Offline Turquine

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1988 KTM MX500
« Reply #15 on: March 15, 2012, 04:53:43 AM »
Thanks again for the info, TJ. That Husky is a real beauty! My brother-in-law had a 1985 Husky CR500. That thing was fast as heck with the 6 speed gearbox. I bit tall for me, but very stable at high speeds over bumps. I knew they'd made automatics, but didn't know they'd made a 500 auto. That thing must be a blast to ride. Bet it does great on hills too.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
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Offline SachsGS

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1988 KTM MX500
« Reply #16 on: March 15, 2012, 03:45:32 PM »
I've ridden most of the 500's over the years and own an 83 Maico 490 as well as newer Maico big bores.I recall riding an 89 KTM 500 - nice bike with that "Big block" feel.What are my unbiased critiques of the other big bores?(I also have some Florida swampland if you are interested). ;)

RM 465/500 - gutless
YZ WR IT 490/500  - I like them in spite of what the magazines say.
Husky CR XC 500 - very nice but weak compared to the Maicos.
Honda CR500 - Honda quality but too hard to start.
KTM 440 - horrible.
KTM 550 - sweetheart of a bike.
81 Maico 490 - As good as they say.
83 Maico 490 - fast and furious.
94 Maico 440 - smooth and revvy
Newer Maico 500s (powervalved) - ultra smooth and fast/easy on gas.

One thing I noticed racing Maico 500s is that on fireroads I could always reel in the the KX/CR 500s, the Maico always seemed to have an edge powerwise. ;D
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
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Offline tjswigger

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1988 KTM MX500
« Reply #17 on: March 15, 2012, 07:46:48 PM »
SachsGS I do like your unbiased official unofficial critique.I also like the yz490 turns well but lands hard off jumps and yamahops in the whoops and really rough sections swaps a little!
The yamaha was much better with the wr tranny swapped in! I had trouble at one track in particular where I was looking for one more gear and swapped in the wr tranny to make it a better overall bike!
I did race the YZ490 in the 40+ class for a couple years in 2007 just for fun!


I put a Racetech emulator in the 1985 RM250 fork shown on this pic "notice" a front disc that came on late models!Rm forks were a bolt on!
Would really like a power valve maico or an ATK 600 :D
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
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Offline opfermanmotors

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1988 KTM MX500
« Reply #18 on: March 23, 2012, 04:34:16 PM »
I always debated a KTM 500, there was one in craigstlist the other day, a 1990.  I had a 84 KTM 495.  Oh ya, I do have an 83 Maico 490 (more than one actually).  My friend had a KX 500 and I had a CR500.  The CR500 was hard to ride in the woods, the KX was definately much more friendlier for woods but not as friendly as the Maico, the Maico is much smoother than even the KX, much less wheel spin even.



« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
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Offline MetalMike1982

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1988 KTM MX500
« Reply #19 on: April 04, 2012, 06:25:00 PM »
Man youve got some sweet bikes . I'm in love with your yz 490 . I'm looking for one as we speak .

What kind of top speed did you get outto the 490 with the 4 spd tranny in it ?
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
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Offline tjswigger

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1988 KTM MX500
« Reply #20 on: April 08, 2012, 02:29:04 PM »
Hi MetalMike! Wish I knew what the top speed of any of these bikes is.I have no way to measure them "No speedometer"! The YZ with the 4-speed was slower because the final gearing was higher. I think I was running 14 / 51 gears!The bike is also a MX bike so 4th was probably  1:1 ratio or close "would have to look it up to verify that" I put the WR transmission in to add an overdrive and liked the gear ratios and spacing better also! Look me up if you ever purchase a 490 and want to do the tranny swap, as I have 2 WR trannies in my parts collection!
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
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Offline MetalMike1982

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1988 KTM MX500
« Reply #21 on: April 08, 2012, 02:50:01 PM »
Quote from: tjswigger on April 08, 2012, 09:29:04 PM
Hi MetalMike! Wish I knew what the top speed of any of these bikes is.I have no way to measure them "No speedometer"! The YZ with the 4-speed was slower because the final gearing was higher. I think I was running 14 / 51 gears!The bike is also a MX bike so 4th was probably  1:1 ratio or close "would have to look it up to verify that" I put the WR transmission in to add an overdrive and liked the gear ratios and spacing better also! Look me up if you ever purchase a 490 and want to do the tranny swap, as I have 2 WR trannies in my parts collection!


 Yeah I mainly just wanted to know a rough idea of top speed . i just wonder because if i go trail riding with the 4 spd tranny I dont want to get left in the dust by my buddy's when we hit a strait stretch . Thanks man , and yeah hopefully I will own a 490 very soon . They are hard to find in my area but usually pretty cheap so its just a matter of time .I cant wait!
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
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Offline Jump1979man

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1988 KTM MX500
« Reply #22 on: September 16, 2012, 03:30:00 AM »
I just bought a 1988 ktm 500 and yours looks great.  Hopefully I can make mine look just as good.

Where can you buy parts for this thing?
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
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Offline Logan Dewey

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1988 KTM MX500
« Reply #23 on: September 17, 2012, 01:12:30 AM »
looks like a beaut!~
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
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Offline dragbikebam

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1988 KTM MX500
« Reply #24 on: February 17, 2013, 11:42:24 AM »
awesome bikes man. you do great work! i do a lil restoring myself and need some help on a ktm360sx project. could you give me some tech advice?
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
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Offline Helmut Clasen

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1988 KTM MX500
« Reply #25 on: February 28, 2013, 07:18:47 PM »
  Sometimes I am able to help with KTM parts.

Just send me an e-mail...hecla...at...sympatico.ca


Cheers..
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
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Offline Coop

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1988 KTM MX500
« Reply #26 on: March 15, 2013, 02:16:05 PM »
Quote from: tjswigger on March 15, 2012, 06:47:30 AM
My 1984 Husky500AE "Automatic" is not as quick as the others but will outrun all of them on top and can't be beat in the woods!


Great looking Husky. A friend just bought a 400 from around the same era. He's wanted another one for years, it was the first bike he ever bought brand new.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
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