Cr/kx500

Musketman · May 5, 2007

Hello guys.

I have a question for anyone of you's who have a Cr or KX 500. How hard is it to start? Im only about 115lbs, and I know they are hard to start for heavy people, so would I even be able to start it?

Oh and dont give me anything like it's to big and has to much power for me, or any crap that most forums do. I've rode many bikes, 250 2 strokes, YZ 400's and 450's....so it's all good in that department. One of the only bikes I havn't rode is the 500 2 stroke. I am looking for a powerfull bike for sand pits....nothing can beat a 500 for that.

CR500pilot · May 5, 2007

Its in the technique. You have to be sure to have the kick starter catch at the highest possible point and kick firmly all the way through. I had an '89 CR500 that was especially hard to start, but I believe one of the electrical components was weak (stator, coil). Then I bought a '96 and it was night and day, 3-4 kicks max. Its not as bad as some people make it out to be. I now have a CR250, no reason really, just changed. Hope this helps.

84cr125 · May 5, 2007

if its too hard to start for ya lean up against a tree or a fence or something hold your self up and kick its alot easier because you can get the bike to turn over faster.

You could always jumps it as a last resort.

2 strokes for life · May 6, 2007

Most people have to develop a special devised way to start the bike. I know i just use all my 250lbs of weight. I really dont see why not a ported, and bored 250 would not be good enough espesialy for you weight, but then again a CR500 would really fly with a rider of your weight. Have fun with it.

mojave ron · May 7, 2007

its all in your technique....i had a kx500 and until i learned how to start it i thought i made a big mistake...first day i had it i was more tired from trying to start it than actual riding...but once i learned the trick it always started 1-2 kicks... always...

gwcrim · May 7, 2007

Two words: compression release

I'm 170 lbs and I hate to start mine. I'm considering swapping the 500 into a 250 chassis, just for poops and grins. While it's all apart, a compression release is a must do. I just hate to kick that thing over.

I've been told it's a sneaker kicker with a compression release. Just what I want!

magneto · May 7, 2007

CR500s in the mid to late 90s (mine is a 96) have shallow decompression grooves machined into the cylinder to ease starting. I believe these are above the transfer ports. If the cylinder on these bikes is bored these grooves disappear and kicking the bike over becomes much harder. My bike has been bored and ported (by EG ;) )and doesn't have these grooves. I weigh 170 and can crank it in tennis shoes...if it decides to crank in a couple of kicks. I will bruise my insole if it takes more than a couple of kicks.

At 115 pounds you are going to have a tough time starting a 500.

gwcrim · May 7, 2007

I weigh 170 and can crank it in tennis shoes...

You must have one TOUGH foot!

Dino Cr us 500 · May 7, 2007

It's in the technique

I have no experience with the KX but the CR is a good choice. While I do weigh more than you, I also find that starting the big bore two stroke can be easier if you know how. 1 Start with the choke on, Hold down the kill switch and push the starter through 2 or 3 times. (Just push it through, you're not trying to start it yet, this just primes and lubricates the cylinder). 2 Release the kill switch. Here's the technique: 3 Push the starter down until you feel some resistance and then let the starter return to the top. 4 Get your body weight up high and as you start to come down make a complete downstroke of the starter. If this does not get you started, repeat steps 3 and 4 and try again. Once the bike starts and will run, open up the choke valve. I've owned three of these bikes and this seems to be the procedure that works best for me. Good luck and good choice of bike. By the way, there is a site dedicated to CR500 owners, use a search engine for cr500 Go check it out PS, Like you I also will wear boots.

magneto · May 7, 2007

I usually lay my bike on its side for a few seconds when its cold to "prime" it. Gas flows out of the overflow tubes when I stand it back upright. Next, turn on the choke and kick it through slowly a few times. Find the start of the compression stroke, then let the lever back up fully. Take up the slack in the kickstart and kick it hard. (Unlike 125s and 250s the motor will roll over only once or twice per kick.)

FunkyD · May 7, 2007

Kind of off topic, but how does the 500 two stroke compare in terms of power to a 450 thumper. I know a 450 has around ~55hp.

mmz77 · May 7, 2007

^Kills it^ Thats all you need to know :nener:

84cr125 · May 7, 2007

a modded 2t 250 can easily keep up with a 450 thumper no problem.

john stu · May 20, 2007

FunkyD said:
Kind of off topic, but how does the 500 two stroke compare in terms of power to a 450 thumper. I know a 450 has around ~55hp.

the 450 will be smoother and easyer to ride because it has a much broader power band but the 500 will have more power but it comes with a "hit" in the power band they are little harder to ride untill you get used to them but after time you can go fast on either if everything else is equal (mainly suspension)like between a crf450 and a cr500af its all in the rider if you can go fast on one bike you can go fast on another put stewart on a 500 he would still roast everybody like he does now on the 450, basicly the 450 is easyer to go fast on but the 500 is more fun because of the hit

Cr/kx500

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