I will be testing a S/H 500AFX shortly... in a quest to get to the bottom of this.
There are WAY too many bikes, that are hard to start, or wont start at all, for this to be some kind of myth... I'll keep you posted, as to the results.
The stock ignition pieces out at over $600. Perhaps S/H was looking for a cheaper way to make the plug fire, increasing their profits?
I asked AJ many times to provide me with dyno sheets, and ignition maps when I was considering purchasing a 500AFX. He said he would, but I never saw them. Later on the phone he told me that the maps were nearly identical.
He posted this on Trace's site....
Jay Lewis has one, carry's a spare plug wherever he goes. I tried to start it .... no friggin way!A.J. wrote:'ve got the sheets laying around somewhere..
when i get back (i'm gone a week or so to a motorcycle show)
i'll try and locate them and post them.
the digi curve is just slightly above the stocker from idle on up..
but mics it very closely. they basically overlap untill midrange then the digi
shows a little increase on the dyno..
and stays there while the stock drops off about 1 hp
just viewing about 20 dyno charts you would swear the digital would hit
exactly like stocxk but maybe a pull a lil harder,
but on paper you would think that noone would ever be able to tell a difference in power delivery style..at all
they just overlap way too close..
for example closer than any two stock CR500 engines would.
the real world has it diffinantly being smoother ,but pulling out a lil further
The fact that Tracy now has one, and has issues starting it is the final nail in the coffin to me. Trace has more CR500 experience than anybody.
I personally think the the system is fundmentaly flawed somewhere, Way too many issues, on too many bikes.Armpump wrote: I have two decent rides on it now so I'll do a review. I am not dialed into the starting drill yet and got tortured by a few of my KTM riding buddies about getting it started out on the trail. Keep in mind they'll take any excuse to harass me in return for my harassment so there it wasn't a big deal. Smiley I'm getting the drill down better but it is a departure from the stock ignition starting no doubt. I can see a problem with the starting drill IF I were to do a dead engine start race, like some hare scrambles are. I'll deal with that IF that comes up as most are not motos and aren't decided in the first corner holeshot like motoos can be.
I did not like the bottom end power initially as I thought it to be weaker than stock. As Randy stated, it is more linear and pulls better on looser ground than the stocker. It is deceiving as it gets smoother into the mid-range without the "hit" of the stocker and that is good for the loose trail terrain I typically ride, especially now that it is very dry and very loose. It seems like it is stronger on the top and seems to have more over-rev and not drop off as soon as the stocker does. So by riding it in the lower revs, it hooks up better and then when into the mid and upper revs, it picks up speed really quickly. I would have to put the stock CDI back on to double-check my seat of the pants impressions and would be interested to do so. I'd also like to see dyno sheets comparing the two HP curves to see if my impressions are backed up by the REAL output.
I will probably put a small lighting setup on it as I'm not planning on doing any dual-sport stuff on my 500 but I am interested in some night rides as that is more appealing here in the AZ summers than riding when it's 110 out in daytime. I got the battery box made by SH and the regulator and battery setup - all small items that will tuck away nicely in the sweet aluminum battery box that rides in the subframe rails above the airbox.
Installation was easy and the components look to be well made. Longevity will be apparent with time but I'm not expecting anything less than what I've experienced with other Service Honda items.
It's a winner and when I get more acclimated to the starting drill I'll be more happy as I leave the KTM guys in the trail dust.
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