just bought my first lt500r. sold my trx250r to get it. ive been trying to get it to fire up to two days now. sounds like it wants to go on one kick then a backfire on the next. I hear that they shear off the flywheel key sometimes? any help would be greatly appreciated. my leg is killing me.

Your absolutely right about the flywheel key shearing off, it will spin on the crankshaft throwing the timing off making it impossible to start. Check this out.

Try this sequence:
1. Key or Ignition ON
2. Choke on
3. Gas on
4. 3-4 Primer Kicks, all the way through slow (don't have to be hard)   
5. Push kick lever down until it passes the first resistance point, DO NOT GO PAST in to the 2nd resistance point.
6. Bring lever back up to the top and give it a hard kick!

Pushing past the 1st resistance point (AKA TDC) put the piston just after TDC and carrys the momentum of the piston through the next cycle which makes it easier to fire.

I added a couple of details

For a cold engine

Try this sequence:
1. Key or Ignition ON
2. Choke on
3. Gas on
3a.  Throttle closed or other wise the choke (enriching circuit) does not function
4. 3-4 Primer Kicks, all the way through slow (don't have to be hard)   
5. Push kick lever down until it passes the first resistance point, DO NOT GO PAST in to the 2nd resistance point.
6. Bring lever back up to the top and give it a hard kick!

Pushing past the 1st resistance point (AKA TDC) put the piston just after TDC and carrys the momentum of the piston through the next cycle which makes it easier to fire.

Key ON for the primer kicks? I thought it should be off.

It really  doesn't matter if the key is off or on.  I have had them start on a few occasions when you are just giving it a few slow priming strokes.

Local shop get on cheapcycleparts use the diagram and get the part number and head down and see if they have it

My buddies key sheared off. The bike was abused  before he got it,  replaced it and has worked fine since.

well come to find out it sheared off the flywheel key. has this happened to you guys? is
 it something im going to have to change frequently? where could I find a new one at? any help is great im dying to ride this thing.

There are a few reasons that a flywheel key will shear. 

1.  The nut was not tightened to the right torque.

2.  The taper on the flywheel and crankshaft are not an exact match.

3.  There was dirt or something trapped between the tapers when it was installed.


Before you install the new key put some valve grinding compound on the crankshaft taper and on the taper inside the flywheel. Lap the two tapers so that they are an exact match.  Be sure and clean the grinding compound from the key way grooves and tapers before installing the new key.

Make sure that the timing mark on the stator is aligned with the pointer on the case.

Good to hear!!