Saturday when i was getting some parts for my CR 500 i couldnt help looking over at that CRF 450 on the showroom floor. The price tag seems a bit steep for a dirt bike considering in a race my Service Honda CR500AF would smoke it. Honda credit approved me for it and now the salesman keeps calling for me to sign for it and take it home. Is this bike really worth it or are they gonna completely rework it next year and find out that 2002 models had a load of problems being the first year of production? Help me make my decision. CRF450? or keep my 2002 CR 500 aluminum frame?(which was $8,200)Help!
CRF 450 all that they say it is?
- Thread starter CR500AF
- Start date
Rumpelstiltskin
Member
- Mar 29, 2001
- 84
- 0
With a brand new CR500AF why in the world would you even look at the 450? You got the same thing but with a to die for powerplant.
dheard4992
Member
- Feb 25, 2001
- 143
- 0
ride both
everyone has an oppinion so i say ride a buddies crf and form your own.i cant imagine anything being more fun than a crf but i have never ridden a service honda.
everyone has an oppinion so i say ride a buddies crf and form your own.i cant imagine anything being more fun than a crf but i have never ridden a service honda.
Re: 500 af?
Honda is dropping the CR500 in the US but Service Honda will still be producing brand new AF500s for years to come. They purchased a large stockpile of new CR500 engines and parts to facilitate producing and supporting the best big bore two-stroke on the planet.
http://www.servicehonda.com/2002 CR500AF/2002_cr500af.htm
Honda is dropping the CR500 in the US but Service Honda will still be producing brand new AF500s for years to come. They purchased a large stockpile of new CR500 engines and parts to facilitate producing and supporting the best big bore two-stroke on the planet.
http://www.servicehonda.com/2002 CR500AF/2002_cr500af.htm
dheard4992
Member
- Feb 25, 2001
- 143
- 0
beautiful
darn near as good lookin as my crf
darn near as good lookin as my crf
marcusgunby
LIFETIME SPONSOR
- Jan 9, 2000
- 6,450
- 2
Do they use the 250 as a base or the 450 as they are very different and i was wondering which one they went for?Im guessing 250 as its cheaper/more readliy available and has a steeper steering angle, but then wouldnt the 450 chassis be easier to fit the 500 engine into?
Marcus - Service Honda (AJ actually) starts with a 2002 CR250 frame and they modify the cradle. I was over at Service yesterday and got to see one in the early stages of the build process. It's pretty cool, and the new billet cradle parts are works of art.
- Thread starter
- #12
I did get the chance to test drive the CRF 450 ( pulling a straight up wheelie in the parking lot scaring the crap out of the salesman) but my 2002 CR 500AF would absolutely destroy this bike in a drag race or on the track. I wouldnt say the same about my 91 CR 500 because the frame and supension feel more like my old 86 XR 250. The only reason i was considering the CRF is because i wasnt sure if it being a four stroke will it have that same dependability that the XR has. I know its not even close to the same design motors but its still a four stroke. I sure hate throwing a top end in the middle of nowhere!But thanks for the posts anymore info would be great especially if you have one. I love my AF but i cant keep both and i need to make a decision by tuesday!
The CR500AF is my dream machine (had 2 CR5s, YZ250 and rode dad's 380s a lot), even though I now have a -02 520 SX.
Unless I was uncomfortable with the 5 (if I had a brand new one), I would never go for the little 450 (in a completely different league power-wise, even the 380 is much more brutal than my 520 (let's not forget Dowd's holeshots on a stock one)).
Unless I was uncomfortable with the 5 (if I had a brand new one), I would never go for the little 450 (in a completely different league power-wise, even the 380 is much more brutal than my 520 (let's not forget Dowd's holeshots on a stock one)).
CR500 VS CRF450
Does the 500 have torque or powerband hp like smaller 2 strokes ,can you describe what the power is like. This I am interested in and have seen no Sevice Hondas in my area.Have any mags. tested the bike.Can it be raced in the vet class at east coast mx. :p
Does the 500 have torque or powerband hp like smaller 2 strokes ,can you describe what the power is like. This I am interested in and have seen no Sevice Hondas in my area.Have any mags. tested the bike.Can it be raced in the vet class at east coast mx. :p
- Apr 11, 2001
- 559
- 0
Just my $0.02.......
Stick w/the AF, at least until the CRF has more time on the market. I don't have any experience w/either, but I haven't heard any "O.M.G.!! This bike is soooo awesome!!!!" remarks about the CRF yet. The same can't be said about the AF. If it weren'r for the fact that I absolutely love my bike and am planning on riding it until it dies, then getting a 4-smoke(b/c of our friends, the EPA:debil: ), I'd be all over the AF. Well, all that and the money thing. $8200?!?! OUCH!!!!!!:scream:
Stick w/the AF, at least until the CRF has more time on the market. I don't have any experience w/either, but I haven't heard any "O.M.G.!! This bike is soooo awesome!!!!" remarks about the CRF yet. The same can't be said about the AF. If it weren'r for the fact that I absolutely love my bike and am planning on riding it until it dies, then getting a 4-smoke(b/c of our friends, the EPA:debil: ), I'd be all over the AF. Well, all that and the money thing. $8200?!?! OUCH!!!!!!:scream:
wayneo426
Sponsoring Member
I wouldnt buy a 450 that everyone said had a "mellow" powerband, compared to what else is out there. Just my .02.
CR500AF
I'm a four stroke fan and am also thinking about buying A crf BUT...
the 500 has more peak horsepower than the 450 and It probably handles the same or better (any opinions?). So is the power of the 500 wearing you out?
If so get the 450. If not keep the 500. Any Idea on the weight of the 500?
I'm a four stroke fan and am also thinking about buying A crf BUT...
the 500 has more peak horsepower than the 450 and It probably handles the same or better (any opinions?). So is the power of the 500 wearing you out?
If so get the 450. If not keep the 500. Any Idea on the weight of the 500?
I would't trade and/or sell your bike for a '02 CRF450, not yet anyway. I am a fan of the 450F but I would suggest giving them a chance to get a production year or two under their belt. It will only get better.
By the way, where do you ride in Myrtle Beach? MB is my hometown and the places I knew about are closed.
By the way, where do you ride in Myrtle Beach? MB is my hometown and the places I knew about are closed.
- Thread starter
- #19
Im pretty sure that a stock CR 500 puts out close to 60 hp and the CRF claims 55 but the 500 has tons more torque and hits way harder. I just wish honda switched to producing stock CR 500' s with there own aluminum frame and design. There is still alot of people who love big bore 2 strokes and the CR 500 is as reliable as they come and rebuilds arent even 1/2 as often as a 125 or 250. They really couldve built an awesome bike by putting it in an aluminum frame and giving it a power valve.My opinion.
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I'm thinking that the CRF butting out 55 hp is the stuff of dreams.
I had two CR5s, and now have a 520. My dad's 380 surely has less power than the 5s, but the grunt is still way beyond the 520(and I don't think anyone will seriously claim that the CRF makes more power than the 520SX).
If you have the balls and muscle (I don't) no four-stroke will keep up with a big-bore two-stroke on a straightaway.
As awesome as the 450 is, I would still rather be riding an open class MX'er if I could. My diminishing skills and slowing reflexes suit the 450 much better. I still have an old open bike in the garage that I take out and occassionally ride to remember the good old days.....One other suggestion, if you like to pound out miles in whoops or sand stick with the 500AF. The 450 allows a person to ride faster while the 500 will make you go faster whether you want to or not...... just fall back on the throttle and WOOOHOOOO!
- Aug 2, 2000
- 13,510
- 19
Even though I'm a dyed in the wool thumper guy, I say keep the 500AF. No matter what, you've got a bike with much better resale value (just ask Okie!), so you'll be able to afford a CRF later on down the road if you still wish. I say ride that AF for a while and have some fun!
Has anyone ever seen a KTM 520 and a CR or KX 500 in a good drag race?
I would be interested to see how much faster one is than the other. At least at the GP level, the two strokes aren't competitive with four strokes. This has been going on for some time and is not just because of environmental issues with dirty two strokes. Back in the early nineties when Husaberg and Husky began winning GP's on their four strokes they were competing against factory two strokes so there must be some advantage. If not absolute HP, then maybe rideability for 45 minutes straight.
FWIW.
Greg M
I would be interested to see how much faster one is than the other. At least at the GP level, the two strokes aren't competitive with four strokes. This has been going on for some time and is not just because of environmental issues with dirty two strokes. Back in the early nineties when Husaberg and Husky began winning GP's on their four strokes they were competing against factory two strokes so there must be some advantage. If not absolute HP, then maybe rideability for 45 minutes straight.
FWIW.
Greg M
