| MODEL | KAWASAKI KX 500 1990 |
| Year | 1990 |
| 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 | 66 hp / 49.2 kW @ 7000 rpm |
| Max Torque | 65.7 Nm / 48.4 lb-ft @ 6000 rpm |
| Ignition | Electronic CDI |
| Induction | Keihin PWK39 carburetor |
| Start System | Kick |
| TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
| Lubrication | Premix |
| Gear Box | 5 speed |
| Clutch | Wet, multi-plate, cable operated |
| Final Drive | Chain |
| CHASSIS SPECS | |
| Frame | High-tensile steel semi-double cradle with aluminum bolt-on section |
| Front Suspension | 41 mm upside-down cartridge fork with 20-way compression and 20-way rebound damping |
| Rear Suspension | Bottom-Link UNI-TRAK with adjustable preload and 20-way compression and rebound 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 / 37.4 in |
| Wheelbase | 1514 mm / 59.6 in |
| Ground Clearance | 325 mm / 12.8 in |
| Dry Weight | 100 kg / 220.5 lbs |
| Wet Weight | — |
| WHEEL SPECS | |
| Front Tyre | 80/100-21 51M |
| Rear Tyre | 120/90-18 64M |
| FUEL SYSTEM | |
| Fuel Capacity | 9.8 Litres / 2.6 US gal |
| Fuel Consumption | — |
| Top Speed | — |
The 1990 KX 500 was a motocross racer with an upside-down fork in place of the earlier cartridge fork, which lowered unsprung weight. Its refinements included a new seat, an aluminum swingarm, a larger fuel tank and a 20-way adjustable suspension. It was the last major version of the KX 500 before the series ended in 2004.
