Crossfire 500 XC

The adjustable suspension elements come from Kayaba/KYB and, with 150 mm of travel at the front and 130 mm at the rear, have sufficient reserves for back roads and lighter terrain. The upside-down fork is adjustable in compression, the central shock in spring preload and rebound. However, the combination of suspension and wheel dimensions takes the XC to a new handling level on asphalt as well. No 500cc Crossfire moves more fluently through bends, and none feels swifter.

With the crash bar fitted as standard, the 500 XC is prepared for what you don’t want to admit but will happen off-road: the first rollover, the first fall. The skid plate also protects the engine from hard impacts, and with the radiator grille and headlight guard, the XC is also factory-equipped for stone impacts.

The J.Juan hydraulically actuated brake is particularly well suited to the geometry of the higher Crossfire 500 XC, and its strengths are particularly noticeable when braking and turning into corners. With a pleasantly soft initial pressure point and linear deceleration, a radial 4-piston caliper works on a 320 mm brake disc at the front and a 2-piston caliper on a 240 mm disc at the rear.

With the large 19 inch front wheel and 17 inch rear, the Crossfire 500 XC has dirt track dimensions. In conjunction with the longer suspension travel, this gives it considerable ground clearance – important on off-road rides but also noticeable on asphalt thanks to greater lean angle clearance. In addition, tank pads provide better knee closure/contact and more control.