CR500 differences
- Thread starter gwcrim
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84 disk brakes front drum rear, air cooled
85 disk front drum rear liquid cooled
86 more of the same
87 disk front and rear cartridge fork
89 USD forks
92-02 not a whole hell of a big difference. suspension updates, and engine mods. Probably played with the steering geometry a bit too.
85 disk front drum rear liquid cooled
86 more of the same
87 disk front and rear cartridge fork
89 USD forks
92-02 not a whole hell of a big difference. suspension updates, and engine mods. Probably played with the steering geometry a bit too.
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DEANSFASTWAY
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- May 16, 2002
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Of all the older ones the 87/88 was the best 84 was fun also . 89 had forks that werent so hot stock . 92& up the motor was detuned abit by putting scallops on top of the exhaust to drop /bleed off some compression . The 89 wheels broke and I think warranty covered it sometimes . They all are very fast .
KiwiBird
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- Jan 30, 2000
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I think the frame/plasic changed in 91?
Semi wide ratio gearbox in 93 (same as 87).
93 fork chrome was weak but forks were OK.
46 mm forks in 95? Bigger axles too.
I'd look for the cleanest bike I could find - try to find one that an older guy bought and spent some money on but didn't ride too much.
Semi wide ratio gearbox in 93 (same as 87).
93 fork chrome was weak but forks were OK.
46 mm forks in 95? Bigger axles too.
I'd look for the cleanest bike I could find - try to find one that an older guy bought and spent some money on but didn't ride too much.
Check this site:
http://members.tripod.com/sidecase/homepage.htm
There You can find magazine tests of all CR 500 models.
´85 is the most powerful (and most tiring to ride!) but the later models have better (slimmer) ergonomics.
http://members.tripod.com/sidecase/homepage.htm
There You can find magazine tests of all CR 500 models.
´85 is the most powerful (and most tiring to ride!) but the later models have better (slimmer) ergonomics.
I put a 15 oz FWW on my CR500 this past spring. The first thing I noticed was that the engine didn't rev quite as quickly from an idle. I had to relearn my clutch technique on take-offs. The next thing that I noticed, was that I could tractor up a hill. :) Everyone says that it makes it harder to stall. *shruggs* I still manage to do that all the time. If you are going to ride woods with a 500, I would say that the FWW is a must. It does seem to tame it a bit.
500 dirtrider
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- Oct 27, 1999
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I still ride a '90 CR500. Adding a flywheel weight would be a bonus, I rode an '86 KX500 before this and a YZ465 before that. This CR500 will quit if you lug it down unlike the others. The YZ465 was a tractor in the woods and you couldn't make that thing quit if you tried, 3rd gear at almost no RPMs and it would keep on going! My KX500 had a Moose weight and it was very manorable in the woods because of it. Also keep in mind that Honda doesn't use an exhaust valve in their 500's, this sacrifices a litle low end and moves it to the mid range, like as if you will ever miss it! The original write-up says "would you believe clutching a 500 at low end?". The CR500 will tend to surprise you when it hits if you're not ready for it. The inverted forks are definately the way to go, just point, steer, and gas it! My KX with conventional forks always felt like it was fighting you. Turning the bars in a hard turn on the KX was merely a suggestion to the bike that you might want to turn, the flex in the forks was a weird feeling. Ultimately, that was the reason that I got rid of it. I always describe riding my CR500 like trying to ride something that doesn't want to be ridden, or trying to control something that is out of control. The power of these big bores will amaze you! Don't let the nay sayers change your mind with the "why would anyone want to ride one of those things in the woods", trust me they are what you want. No run necessary, last minuite decisions are easy, roost or wheelie on demand! I still have the original magazine write-up on the '90 CR500 if you're interested.
There is no replacement for displacement!
There is no replacement for displacement!
gwcrim
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- Oct 3, 2002
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- #10
Decisions, decisions....... I've got a tight line on a very trick torque modified '89 KX and just yer average nice '91 CR. Either one, $1500. Then there's the '88 CR for $1000. From what I gather about the '88 and earlier CR powerband, I'll avoid that for now. The KX is has a Burly pipe and FWW and has been very well kept. But the '91 Honda would be easier in the woods and tight trails.
Decisions, decisions..............
Decisions, decisions..............
The '91 CR500: Make sure the forks were worked over or send them off to be revalved. Those things were heinous for motocross and way too stiff for woods/desert work even on the softest settings. The stock shock works decently. Great motor as are all the CR5's
I have a '92 I run now and it's my 4th CR500. I have a set of forks from an '87 on mine as I feel they are the best fork for off-road desert stuff that I run here in Arizona. Plush and rarely bottom. On the '92s, Honda put on forks with rebound dampening adjusters. The '91s did not have this and tended to rebound too quickly.
The '88 was a good scooter but aftermarket stuff is getting a little harder to get. The motor ran hard and a FWW would be the ticket to taming it a little for woods use. The pipe also tucks higher, like the KX500s, than the newer CR5's and tend to not get as beat as the newer generation bikes. The shock faded after prologed hard use but for most applications work well.
As far as riding a big block in the woods or technical desert, why not? Granted, they aren't as nimble as a 250 but there is NO substitute for that motor. It's fun to outpull everything out there and not have a problem with power anywhere. I think that if I'm tired when I ride my bike then I'm the problem, not the bike. When I'm in shape, it's such a blast to run singletrack and motor by the smaller scooters. If you want a lighter 500 then get a Service Honda CR500AF. Nice frame, great motor. I drool whenever I see one.
I have a '92 I run now and it's my 4th CR500. I have a set of forks from an '87 on mine as I feel they are the best fork for off-road desert stuff that I run here in Arizona. Plush and rarely bottom. On the '92s, Honda put on forks with rebound dampening adjusters. The '91s did not have this and tended to rebound too quickly.
The '88 was a good scooter but aftermarket stuff is getting a little harder to get. The motor ran hard and a FWW would be the ticket to taming it a little for woods use. The pipe also tucks higher, like the KX500s, than the newer CR5's and tend to not get as beat as the newer generation bikes. The shock faded after prologed hard use but for most applications work well.
As far as riding a big block in the woods or technical desert, why not? Granted, they aren't as nimble as a 250 but there is NO substitute for that motor. It's fun to outpull everything out there and not have a problem with power anywhere. I think that if I'm tired when I ride my bike then I'm the problem, not the bike. When I'm in shape, it's such a blast to run singletrack and motor by the smaller scooters. If you want a lighter 500 then get a Service Honda CR500AF. Nice frame, great motor. I drool whenever I see one.
stapletonjt
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- Oct 1, 2002
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When I was 14 I had an '87 KX125 and an '87 CR125. I was offered a trade (straight across) for an '87 CR500 and couldn't refuse. When you're 14 you never question things like why would someone want less power, you just know you want more. I believe this is where the phrase young, dumb, and... you know the rest, comes from. Let me just say that that was the most awe inspiring bike I've ever ridden, even for the short time I rode it. CR had dark red plastics that year and the guy had 666 on the number plates for a reason... everyone who ever rode it was hurt, some seriously. Don't get me wrong, none of us were qualified to be on that bike, but wow was it fast. I'm still awe inspired when I see one but a very particular jump/huge air/huge crash scenario makes me very happy with my CR250. My hat's off to you guys with the kajones to ride one anywhere but the dunes.
gwcrim
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- Oct 3, 2002
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- #16
Cracks in the frame? No one said anything about THAT! :( Any place in particular to look?
Here's a link to some pictures . They're in the 'offroad' album. Any speed freaks might want to check out the Maxton albums as well.
Thanks to y'all for the help in this decision. Yeah Papa, I know it ain't red. But green has always been my favorite color. It goes well with my handbag!
Here's a link to some pictures . They're in the 'offroad' album. Any speed freaks might want to check out the Maxton albums as well.
Thanks to y'all for the help in this decision. Yeah Papa, I know it ain't red. But green has always been my favorite color. It goes well with my handbag!
500 dirtrider
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- Oct 27, 1999
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Along with you spare kick starter, buy yourself a pair of AlpineStar boots. A couple of models have replaceable arches on the soles! Don't be suprised the first time you get a backfire during a kick start and get a nice 6' flame out the back! The most important thing about starting one of these things is the extra 1/2 kick on the top of the starter. Caution, tuck stones tightly before the first ride hehehehe..Welcome to the man's world!
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Twistagrip
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- Jun 4, 2002
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You will definitely like the KX! I bought an '86 brand new and every time I got on that bike it scared the hell out of me. God what a rush! For trail riding it was Jeckyl/Hyde because it had such tremendous low-end. It made for one of the best hill climber/sand bikes I've ridden. But it's explosiveness made it hard to control at times in the woods. I would definitely go with a flywheel weight. I have YZ 465 now. Much more controllable down low. It is like having both a 4-stroke/2-stroke bike. VERY difficult to stall and easy to contrtol under half throttle(not to mention very fuel efficient). Above half throttle...you better be hanging on with your chin on the front fender. God if they only offered that motor in a modern chasis!
gwcrim
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- Oct 3, 2002
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- #20
Well it's been rainy and cold all week. :| But Saturday is supposed to be 60. That sounds like ridin' weather.
I did find a hole in the frame. :( It's under the brake lever on the bottom. Definitely not a crack, but it almost looks like it's just been worn through about 1/8" dia. And the way the paint on the frame is worn, it almost looks like there's been a belly pan attached. It would be an easy place to gussett, but I'm just kinda curious how it got there.
I did find a hole in the frame. :( It's under the brake lever on the bottom. Definitely not a crack, but it almost looks like it's just been worn through about 1/8" dia. And the way the paint on the frame is worn, it almost looks like there's been a belly pan attached. It would be an easy place to gussett, but I'm just kinda curious how it got there.
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