Nope you will not find a "good" or even close to good full suspension for $500.
I am not a big fan of full suspension. I prefer a good hard tail they are super great climbers and i really like the fact that you feel the terrain.
Any who $500 is not alot to spend on a bike now days. What I tell everyone that goes into a real bike shop and see bikes priced at 1000+ and says that too much money. You get what you pay for in most cases. The more you spend, the better the bike the more you will want to ride, so consider it a healthy investment since if you ride more often you will increase your health.
Buy a cheaper less comfortable bike with crappy components that don't work well when the terrain demands it will only piss you off. That will make you not want to ride so then you have $500 bucks sitting around not being used.
i used to work as a bike mechanic for 3.5 years, and it really depends on how hardcore you are going to be with the mtn bike, but for 500 bucks the only option is really to just get a used dual suspension. Either that or settle with a hardtail, 500 will get you a moderate hardtail and you can save up for some better suspension in front. Dual suspension is nice but if youre not going balls out downhill, a hardtail will do just as well, plus jumping hardtails are fun!
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Voodoo Blue 4x4 AT QC UR C7 V5 Z2
MT 265/70/17 Baja MTZ's, Moto Metal MO957s, All Pro Sliders, Blue RockBlockers, Painted front bezel/bumpers, AVS In Channel Vent Visors, Raptor Muffler with dump, Toytec custom rear coils, Walker Evans adj. C/O's with ext. reservoirs front and back.
There's always just plain shopping around and waiting for closeouts. I don't think $500 is enough, though, for a full squish. You might get a great hardtail on closeout, but you gotta try the bike and see how it fits you. It's everything.
I tried bikes for months and always came back to gary fishers and specialized because they just felt good for my body type. I was lucky and found a cake (discontinued) online for $750, even though the same shop quoted me over a grand for it when I walked in the store. New tires and upgraded brakes set me back a few hundred more.
By the way, I have a friend who rides with me everywhere I go (XC type trails) on a sub $500 Ironhorse hardtail. He just has to go slower on the rockier parts.
I'm sure you already know about MTBR.com The reviews there really help. Don't go too budget or you'll end up on some slinky that fights your motion on the way up and falls apart on the way down.
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Black Diamond AT 16" TRD Wheels w/BF Goodrich ATs265/75 r16, TRD Catback Exhaust (thank you, Batman!), Midland 75-822 w/Firestick, Bandi Mount (thanks for designing that, sir). Lots of Coke cans and fast food boxes on the floor. MTB tire tracks all over inside. Girlfriend installed on the passenger seat who overlooks the fact that she could do so much better than me.
Future Mods: TRD CAI, Rock Rails, Air Dam, ARB air locker when the warranty expires.
Well, I picked up a hardtail Gary Fisher Xcalibur 29er. It is awesome. I decided to go for mid to highend hardtail instead of entry level FS. The 29inch wheels make a huge difference and the fox shox is great!!
__________________ 2007 FJ, Voodoo Blue, CP, UP#2, OEM Skid Plate, K&N Drop-in Air Filter, Garmin Nuvi 200, Sirius,
Zune, Steering Wheel Cover, Blue License Plate Cover, OEM Rock Rails, Tow Hitch, Yakima FullSwing 4, Axe, Fire Extinguisher, Shovel, Air Compressor, 4D Mag Lite, Rite Lite Mod, Bandi Mount, Cheap RadioShack CB, Firestick Firefly 3', VentShades, Dick Cepek Mud Country's, Receiver Shackle, Hi-Lift Jack, AFE CAI
bro ive been riding a specialized stumpjumper for a year now and love it. expensive. but worth it. for 500 bills ur not gonna get a quality ride and if u do its gonna be a hard tail. even a used full can run around 700 bills.... but watch out for the 500 dollar full suspension systems cause it may just fall apart with riding and prob doesnt have features ud want like disc brakes, piston suspension, or chain guard... but like some of these guys on here said look used. sucks if i knew this sooner my buddy just sold 4 full suspension whips to use as a down payment on a car... light ride time too...
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Mike
The Irish have always been vicitm to negative stereotypes. I mean people always think were just drunks and brawlers. And sometimes that gets you so mad all you want to do is get drunk and punch somebody!!
God invented liquor to keep the irish from conquering the world...
bro ive been riding a specialized stumpjumper for a year now and love it. expensive. but worth it. for 500 bills ur not gonna get a quality ride and if u do its gonna be a hard tail. even a used full can run around 700 bills.... but watch out for the 500 dollar full suspension systems cause it may just fall apart with riding and prob doesnt have features ud want like disc brakes, piston suspension, or chain guard... but like some of these guys on here said look used. sucks if i knew this sooner my buddy just sold 4 full suspension whips to use as a down payment on a car... light ride time too...
see above. I tripled my budget and got a sweet ride.
__________________ 2007 FJ, Voodoo Blue, CP, UP#2, OEM Skid Plate, K&N Drop-in Air Filter, Garmin Nuvi 200, Sirius,
Zune, Steering Wheel Cover, Blue License Plate Cover, OEM Rock Rails, Tow Hitch, Yakima FullSwing 4, Axe, Fire Extinguisher, Shovel, Air Compressor, 4D Mag Lite, Rite Lite Mod, Bandi Mount, Cheap RadioShack CB, Firestick Firefly 3', VentShades, Dick Cepek Mud Country's, Receiver Shackle, Hi-Lift Jack, AFE CAI
Well, I picked up a hardtail Gary Fisher Xcalibur 29er. It is awesome. I decided to go for mid to highend hardtail instead of entry level FS. The 29inch wheels make a huge difference and the fox shox is great!!
excellent choice and good move on the 29er.
I've been on one for several years and I will never ride a little-wheels again.
I have both a full squish Titus Racer X 29r and a Titus hard tail that i have set up as a single speed.
Here is a pic from this Sunday at one of our local trails... FJ with Titus single speed 29rs:
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My 
2007 FJ, Voodoo Blue, CP, UP#2, OEM Skid Plate, K&N Drop-in Air Filter, Garmin Nuvi 200, Sirius,
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