| MODEL | KAWASAKI KX 500 1985 |
| Year | 1985 |
| Engine Type | Two stroke, single cylinder, reed valve |
| Displacement / Capacity | 499 cc / 30.5 cu in |
| Bore X Stroke | 86 x 86 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 8.4:1 |
| Cooling System | Liquid cooled |
| Max Power | 63.5 hp / 46.7 kW @ 7000 rpm |
| Max Torque | 65.7 Nm / 48.4 lb-ft @ 6000 rpm |
| Ignition | CDI |
| Induction | 38 mm Mikuni carburetor |
| Start System | Kick |
| TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
| Lubrication | Premix |
| Gear Box | 5 speed |
| Clutch | Wet, multi-plate, cable operated |
| Final Drive | Chain |
| CHASSIS SPECS | |
| Frame | Chrome-moly steel tubing, aluminum rear subframe |
| Front Suspension | Leading-axle, 43 mm air-assisted forks with adjustable compression damping |
| Rear Suspension | Uni Trak, adjustable damping |
| Front Brakes | Single 220 mm disc |
| Rear Brakes | Single 190 mm disc |
| DIMENSION SPECS | |
| Overall Length | — |
| Overall Width | — |
| Overall Height | — |
| Seat Height | 950 mm / 37.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 1514 mm / 59.6 in |
| Ground Clearance | 325 mm / 12.8 in |
| Dry Weight | 104.7 kg / 231 lbs |
| Wet Weight | 114 kg / 251 lbs |
| WHEEL SPECS | |
| Front Tyre | 3.00-21 |
| Rear Tyre | 5.10-18 |
| FUEL SYSTEM | |
| Fuel Capacity | 9 Litres / 2.4 US gal |
| Fuel Consumption | — |
| Top Speed | — |
The 1985 KX 500 was the first liquid-cooled version of Kawasaki's 500 cc motocrosser, with a newly designed engine and multi-link rear suspension. It kept the 1983 chassis layout but gained a stronger engine and the power and handling upgrades that followed in later years.
