why is my xr 500 so heavy?

[Kane Mcguire]

i have an 82 xr 500 and have stripped it down to reduce weight to turn it into a mxer. even put an 84 swingarm and rear wheel on which was 4.5kg less.alloy rear sprocket, non oring chain, alloy muffler, airbox gone etc etc. its still 125 kg. is the engine a heavy lump or is it the frame? thanks.

[JohnnyO]

Because the engine weighs twice what a 2 stroke weighs...

[brent j]

Just like a Yamaha 500 it's mostly in the engine.

The fact that the advertised weights are usually a bit "generous" doesn't help the impression either. It's disapointing to take weight off a bike that is supposed to weigh 125kg then find the true weightis still 125kg.

If it makes you feel any better my XT500 tips the scales at 124kg and I've taken a heap of that.

And the two stroke guys sit back and laugh....................................................

[head]

The frames are heavy, but so is the engine. You can lighten flywheel remove counter balancers I did all this and fitted it in a MX frame with every thing lightened that I could and ended up with 114kg. Even the  std carby is heavy, its got to go as well. You will never get to two stroke weight. Mines not bad though.

[dalesween]

A lot of weight is in the engine bottom end and centre of gravity is low,they are always going to feel heavy, that's why the new "brilliant" YZ400 was created.

cheers Dale.

[b490]

Wrong bike to try to turn into an MX machine  with std susp / frame  config .........and the motor is always going to be HEAVY

 I' ve got one ..... kind of  fond of the  old tank.
 Fun old thing for vinduros , doesn't like to go too fast .
 I just ride /enjoy it for what it is  ,.
 
Regards ,
               Steve