CR 500

[Meaney77]

I’m not much of a 500 guy but for all you washed up old guys that think the 500 was the baddest MOFO ever made, here you go!!

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/mcy/d/1987-honda-cr500-cr500r-cr/6555959321.html

 

[4Waters]

That bike is clean.

 

[Meaney77]

That bike is clean.

And plated!! I love a good oil burner riding down the freeway!

 

[KENDOG689]

Best two wheeler I ever owned!

 

[lbhsbz]

Back in about '99 when I had my GS1100, there was a guy that would show up at the Rock Store with one of those in supermoto trim...a couple of the sport guys got schooled

 

[Meaney77]

Back in about '99 when I had my GS1100, there was a guy that would show up at the Rock Store with one of those in supermoto trim...a couple of the sport guys got schooled

We used to ride the canyons down to Neptunes Net on our plated XR 650R's and give those guys a run for their money as well. Our bikes had knobby tires, and were set up for dirt. We just used to like to ride down for beers and lunch.

 

[HBCraig]

There is nothing like a CR 500. On top of that, there is really nothing like a Service Honda CR 500

 

[Rayson1971]

I had one back in the late 90s . Fricken fast. Front wheel off the ground in every gear with a bald tire and 200# sitting on the tank.

 

[Croz]

There would be a paddle on this if it were mine

 

[KENDOG689]

There would be a paddle on this if it were mine

Had one on mine...How are you young Man?

 

[Croz]

Had one on mine...How are you young Man?

What's up ken! Life's great man, couldn't be better. I'm looking forward to getting back out there.

 

[KENDOG689]

I will see you soon.Say my howdys to your folks.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

I prefer the more linear powerband of the KX500. Thing pulls like a tractor all the way through.

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[wsuwrhr]

I’m not much of a 500 guy but for all you washed up old guys that think the 500 was the baddest MOFO

For all you washed up old guys.

Noted.

 

[KENDOG689]

I’m not much of a 500 guy but for all you washed up old guys that think the 500 was the baddest MOFO ever made, here you go!!

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/mcy/d/1987-honda-cr500-cr500r-cr/6555959321.html

Sling a leg over one some time.Old guys are bad MOFO,S.

 

[lbhsbz]

Just remembered...shop I used to hang out at...back before glamis turned ghetto, they had a CR500 under a tarp with a nitrous bottle strapped to the number plate an a 3ft long swing arm with a paddle tire. The shop owner rode it once and said never again...stupidest thing he’d ever sat on.

Fastest 2 stroke I ever sat on was my KX250 with a 290 kit...it was kinda stupid if you weren’t ready when it came on the pipe.

A 500 is like a 1000cc 4stroke with an on/off switch at peak torque...couldn’t imagine it on the bottle

 

[Rbcconst]

I had a 2001 cr 500 which was the last year made. Great bike fun to ride. However I had 2 different crf 450R after and there is no comparison the 450 is a much better bike. The 450 is like continuous power vs having to stay near the power band in the 500. Lol you could also kick the 500 and it might kick back.


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[welldigger00]

I still have my kx500. I raced it in the open class in district 37 for many years, and rode it in Glamis for many years also. I parked it in 2000 when I jumped on a yz250, and haven’t rode it since. I’m keeping it around for my son to ride when he passes me up, just so he can understand what a handful is like to ride.


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[Meaney77]

I had a 2001 cr 500 which was the last year made. Great bike fun to ride. However I had 2 different crf 450R after and there is no comparison the 450 is a much better bike. The 450 is like continuous power vs having to stay near the power band in the 500. Lol you could also kick the 500 and it might kick back.


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I have argued this all along!! The 450's these days are silly and have more power than most need. I enjoy hearing everyones stories though about how these 500's were the badest MOFO ever built, and the power ban, and "being on the pipe" bla, bla, bla... chances are they havent ridden a 450 lately!

 

[SHOCKtheMONKEY]

There is nothing like a CR 500. On top of that, there is really nothing like a Service Honda CR 500

http://www.glamisdunes.com/invision/index.php?/forums/topic/356356-2004-service-honda-cr-500af/

 

[K-DOG]

Would love to see this thing ripping down a CA freeway. Years ago in San Diego a guy had a Honda 250R 3 wheeler that the DMV messed up and allowed to be street legal. Used to see it once in awhile on the 8 freeway in El Cajon.

 

[28Eliminator]

Still have my 85. Haven’t started it in 6 or 7 Years... if they’re getting that kind of money, I should dig it out.. lol

 

[KENDOG689]

I have argued this all along!! The 450's these days are silly and have more power than most need. I enjoy hearing everyones stories though about how these 500's were the badest MOFO ever built, and the power ban, and "being on the pipe" bla, bla, bla... chances are they havent ridden a 450 lately!

Yes the 450s are fast and I have been on one.2 strokes are just a different machine.Love being on the pipe and costs of a top end job too.

 

[3queens]

That is a nice one he is reaching for top $

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/mcy/d/honda-cr/6541521787.html

I remember the yx490 being a beast also

https://bakersfield.craigslist.org/mcy/d/1984-yamaha-yzstroke-big-boar/6556443983.html

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

I remember the yx490 being a beast also

https://bakersfield.craigslist.org/mcy/d/1984-yamaha-yzstroke-big-boar/6556443983.html

The owner is not claiming it is a beast, he says it is a big boar.

 

[sirbob]

Back when I owned Astro ATV we were converting the Honda 250R 3 wheelers into quads. One of our favorite tricks was dropping one of these 500 motors in them.

That made for a fun dune runner!

 

[Dan Lorenze]

I never felt comfortable on a 500 2 stroke, there's so much bottom end that I never felt like I was going fast or getting into the power band, lol. I was much better at wringing out a 250cc two stroke.

 

[SoCalDave]

I had this 500 V4 a few years ago...it was a fun bike.

 

[RCDave]

I've ridden the KX and CR500's. But the scariest bike I ever rode was a YZ490 with major engine mods. Total handful when insane power is coupled with 70-80's suspension. Plus is you didn't put you entire body/boot into kickstarting it, it could break bones in your foot

 

[KENDOG689]

Back when I owned Astro ATV we were converting the Honda 250R 3 wheelers into quads. One of our favorite tricks was dropping one of these 500 motors in them.

That made for a fun dune runner!

I took my cr500 and made it a 3wheeler for Glamis.It was a fun ride.

 

[brianwhiteboy]

I took my cr500 and made it a 3wheeler for Glamis.It was a fun ride.

I ran one of them too (Mark Laeger conversion) in Glamis for many years....85 CR 500, great year. Ate banshees left and right. One of the best three-wheelers I ever rode and a blast cruising the dunes.

I can’t tell you how many times we had to go to Clean Gene’s or Dirty Bob’s to get something on the frame welded. Those motors shook like a sumbitch.

 

[77charger]

I still have one a 2000 model just rebuilt the whole engine top bottom end bearings etc. mostly ride it at glamis. Who ever says you need to be on pipe is on the pipe. They are very torquey on low end too and ain't a high rever vs a 250 or even a 450 4 stroke.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

I have argued this all along!! The 450's these days are silly and have more power than most need. I enjoy hearing everyones stories though about how these 500's were the badest MOFO ever built, and the power ban, and "being on the pipe" bla, bla, bla... chances are they havent ridden a 450 lately!

I have ridden many different bikes. The newest 450's are pretty close in power from the factory as the old 500's (2016 450's make from 55 to 58 how and the 500's made about 55 to 56 hp). I still have never ridden anything that has anywhere near as linear a power band as my KX500. It can make you a lazy rider not having to slip the clutch and such to keep it in the power band and what not.

I never felt comfortable on a 500 2 stroke, there's so much bottom end that I never felt like I was going fast or getting into the power band, lol. I was much better at wringing out a 250cc two stroke.

My 500 has so much bottom end it's like hitting the pipe right off the crack of the throttle.

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[96motorhead]

Would love to see this thing ripping down a CA freeway. Years ago in San Diego a guy had a Honda 250R 3 wheeler that the DMV messed up and allowed to be street legal. Used to see it once in awhile on the 8 freeway in El Cajon.

That was my dads friend on the 250r, he got pulled over all the time and one cop even tried her best to impound it.

 

[KENDOG689]

I ran one of them too (Mark Laeger conversion) in Glamis for many years....85 CR 500, great year. Ate banshees left and right. One of the best three-wheelers I ever rode and a blast cruising the dunes.

I can’t tell you how many times we had to go to Clean Gene’s or Dirty Bob’s to get something on the frame welded. Those motors shook like a sumbitch.

I left mine in the stock frame and just did the swing arm and machinined my own triple clamps in my garage.I will try to post a pic.

 

[Powermizer]

I bought a brand new 88 CR500. That thing would kick butt all over the 2001 I have now. Comparing a 450 to 500 is hard. 6000 vs 10000 rpm. Just different. That 88 felt like an electric motor. Pro riders hated the 85 when they came out, the power was so abrupt they lost control of the bike constantly.

 

[77charger]

I bought a brand new 88 CR500. That thing would kick butt all over the 2001 I have now. Comparing a 450 to 500 is hard. 6000 vs 10000 rpm. Just different. That 88 felt like an electric motor. Pro riders hated the 85 when they came out, the power was so abrupt they lost control of the bike constantly.

The 85-86 if I remember were the most brutal hitting ones. They began taming them down heavier flywheels to slow the revs too.

 

[Powermizer]

The 85-86 if I remember were the most brutal hitting ones. They began taming them down heavier flywheels to slow the revs too.

You are right. But up to 88 were all real close. 89 is when things took a turn for the worst. Lol

 

[oldschool]

I have argued this all along!! The 450's these days are silly and have more power than most need. I enjoy hearing everyones stories though about how these 500's were the badest MOFO ever built, and the power ban, and "being on the pipe" bla, bla, bla... chances are they havent ridden a 450 lately!

I smoked the motor on your old 450, so I'm parting out some of it and switching what fits to an 05 CR250. Back to mixin gas and slappin ass, until I realize I want a 450 again and sell it.

 

[ArizonaKevin]

are modern 450's faster and better handling than 20 year old 2 strokes? Absolutely!

However, none of us get paid to race or are in the heat of a championship battle. We are out to have fun on 2 wheels! I have gotten away from the fun of riding with 450's and am looking to go back to a smoker for that reason!

 

[Bigbore500r]

I was 20 years old....first NEW motorcycle i ever bought was a 2001 CR500r. Around this time was when i discovered the world of internet forums, and became forever known as BIGBORE500R

Anyone ever visit "Larrys CR500r page" in the early 2000's ?

 

[Powermizer]

Plus the

are modern 450's faster and better handling than 20 year old 2 strokes? Absolutely!

However, none of us get paid to race or are in the heat of a championship battle. We are out to have fun on 2 wheels! I have gotten away from the fun of riding with 450's and am looking to go back to a smoker for that reason!

Reliability is no comparison. I never had to do any engine work on any 500 I've owned.

 

[Powermizer]

Plus the

Plus. Reliability is no comparison. I never had to do any engine work on any 500 I've owned.

 

[oldschool]

MXA did a cool article on a KX500/KTM 250sx build.

 

[dribble]

My 1986 KTM 500 MXC. Still one of the best bikes I ever owned. I weighed 145 when I raced that bike. Great in the desert but a bit of a challenge on the MX track.

 

[Meaney77]

I smoked the motor on your old 450, so I'm parting out some of it and switching what fits to an 05 CR250. Back to mixin gas and slappin ass, until I realize I want a 450 again and sell it.

Sorry to hear about the motor but looking forward to seeing some pix of the project!!!

 

[ArizonaKevin]

MXA did a cool article on a KX500/KTM 250sx build.

Was it this one? Started life as a 350 XCF and was built by TBT racing in AZ. The owner of that place was Destry Abbott's mechanic when he was racing for Team Green on KX500's

 

[oldschool]

Was it this one? Started life as a 350 XCF and was built by TBT racing in AZ. The owner of that place was Destry Abbott's mechanic when he was racing for Team Green on KX500's

View attachment 634371

No, but that is equally as bad ass. The KTM's work well for this because of the steel frame.

 

[ArizonaKevin]

No, but that is equally as bad ass. The KTM's work well for this because of the steel frame.

Absolutely, I know many people who had a Service Honda AF and absolutely hated them. Big Bore smokers need a little flex to handle well and not rattle your teeth out.

 

[ArizonaKevin]

Plus the

Reliability is no comparison. I never had to do any engine work on any 500 I've owned.

To be fair, I have never had to do any engine work to my 450 either. Neither has my dad, uncles, cousins etc who all have 450's.

Regardless, the second most fun thing about owning a motorcycle is working on the motorcycle! Allows an office guy like me to get his hands dirty haha