1 of 2 Kawasaki KX500CF two-stroke motocross bike Click to
enlarge Previous image Next image  Two-stroke answer to rising
crosser costs  By Dan Aspel -  General news   27 October 2011
12:10  This immaculate Kawasaki KX500 hybrid is one motocross
racer's response to the rising costs of four-stroke off-road
competition machines. Chris Place, 21, hopes the blend of an
easily-fixed two-stroke engine and modern chassis will enable
him to compete on a knock-down budget.  Built from a 2008 KXF450
chassis and a 1994 KX500 two-stroke, the KX500CF (for Custom
Fabricated) was built in four months.  Place told MCN: "There's
a lot of Honda CR500 hybrids, but hardly any KX500s. But the KX
has a more usable power band. The engine itself is a phenomenal
piece of kit - the single-cylinder two-stoke produces so much
power.  "Two-strokes are leaving the motocross scene, with all
the manufacturer research going  into four-strokes, but they
cost the best part of £1000 to repair. You can pick up a two-
stroke for a fraction of the