cr500 ?

[MetalMike1982]

 Been thinking about one for years now . Kinda scared of what the raw power of a 500cc 2stroke can offer but now it looks like they are getting a lot harder to find so I think i'm going to sell or trade my 03 rm125 for one . Call me crazy but I want an 86,87,88 cr500 , with some elbow grease and money of course I think the 500 could make an awesome all around bike . What do you guys think ? Are theyre any bigbore 2stroke riders here than can give me some advice as far as getting used to the massive power ? should I do this ? whats some opinions ?

[Marco810]

never ridden a cr5 but i run a kawi big bore and its a blast. You get use to the power and they can be lugged around with ease, dont even really need to be in the powerband to go fast, unlike a 125. Only down side is the vibration, you loose feeling in your hands real quick when riding them

[MetalMike1982]

Is the vibration really that bad ? Do you get used to riding with numb hands?

[Marco810]

you get use to it, at first it will be uncomfortable though

[Recovered]

Where do you live?  sell me your RM125.

The CR500 was detuned every year from 86 onward.  the 86 is the fastest one, and also the first water cooled one.  thats the one with the black motor. 

[tweetakt]

I've ridden a couple 500's.  The power is awesome, but you can lug the thing all day too.  My bro has a 03 CR500af that he built.  It's one of the best bikes I've ridden. 

If you can hang on to a 250, you can ride a 500.

[MetalMike1982]

 I live in Florida .  Really kinda open to any 500cc bike like a kx or even a yz490 . My idea is to get one and actually ride it  I dont want to buy one just to say I own it . I think it would be awesome to ride a mid 80's mxer that can cook any new bike on the track  .  I really like those era bikes , I might even settle for a mid 80's 250 but it would have to be clean .

I've ridden a couple 500's.  The power is awesome, but you can lug the thing all day too.  My bro has a 03 CR500af that he built.  It's one of the best bikes I've ridden. 

If you can hang on to a 250, you can ride a 500.

I can ride a 250 pretty good so hopefully I will be able to adapt to the 500

[tweetakt]

you're gonna like the 500.  You'll laugh your ass off the first time you crack that throttle... honest.

If you want real power, try throwing a leg over a 200hp hill climber.  that's pucker power there.

[MetalMike1982]

 I cant wait 

[dsrtrider48]

i rode a 1990 kx500 and 1994 kx500 up to 2007.  the gyro affect was hard on a track.  bike kept wanting to go striaght.  it wass great for desert and dunes.  love the power.  as long as you use throttle control you will have a blast.  dont rev it.  lug it.  nothing like ripping down a sand wash and pulling a long wheely.  sand dunes are awsome.   i race some local grand prixs and see a few out there.  500's ruled the desert for many years (and still would imo).  you can lug them in technical and blast them wide open.  very stable.



Here is a cool thing one campnay does for kx's and cr500's.  there called "Fat tire 500's".  they use a modified swingarm and quad paddle.

[cnrcpla]

How would the fat tire turn compared to a regular tire? I wouldn't think very well...

[factoryX]

Better actually, you can lean over quite a bit more.

[cnrcpla]

Really? That's one thing I can say I have never tried on a bike hahaha.

[dsrtrider48]

there are some videos of it if you do a search.  i think handling is not for everyone.  Here is a cr500 fat tire in action 

[Tharrell]

Yeah, I've got 3.
'82, '85 and a '92.
They're all a blast. Just remember to not ride it like a 125 or it will spit you off in a heart beat. Short shift it and lean over the bars. The acceleration will make your eyes bleed.
No need to do much to any of them. More power, torque and pure acceleration than 99% of riders can take advantage of.
The point of these pics is, usually a guy will have more than one.
They're hard to find.

All dressed up to race

Here's a holeshot on my '82, Mighty Whitey #84x.

Crossing the line

'85

'92