Thinking about a CR500 dirtbike - too much power?

[Stevester]

Who has riding experience with something like this?



Or any other big bore 2 stroke?

I've got minimal dirtbike experience, but I've got almost a decade of street bike experience under my belt, mostly on a VFR (twitchy throttle, lots of power). You hear a lot of talk about it being tough to manage the power the big 2-strokes put out, scary fast, 4-strokes are easier to ride, etc...but I imagine all the streetbike experience will translate just fine to a light dirtbike.

I'm looking for something to have fun with when I hit the dunes (along with my Raptor), where you need all the juice you can get to move up hills through all the sand. I don't want to post this on a bike forum since bike guys are crazy fanatical on the whole 2 stroke vs 4 stroke thing.

[mmeans]

Me, it was only a short time but frankly I enjoyed my KE100 more than the KX500.

Some of the streetbike stuff will translate but some with be wrong. Like cornering with your inside leg off the peg and in front of your body. Watch a supermotard race and you can tell who comes from flat track / motocross and who comes from road race.

A 500cc two stroke, MotoGP used to use these, in a v-4 platform as the premier racing class. They got rid of the 2 strokes because of the rider injuries.

That bike will be a real handfull. A lot of fun for sure; if you ride open terrain it will really shine.


Michael Means

[bitemark46]

Granted my 524cc 2 stroke has 4 wheels the powerband is the same as that bike....for the most part.

The CR500 is truly one of the last bike that will really scare the #### out of you. Big bore 2 strokes act like a 4 stroke down low. My 500 has plenty of balls that I don't have to downshift. Once the rpms hit midrange and the powerband hits IMO it doesn't hit as hard as a smaller (125 or 250cc) smokers but comes on smoother but keeps pulling just like a small bore 2 stroke. As far as rpms big bore 2 strokes don't rev as high as smaller bores...they don't need to.

FWIW my 424lb quad, 524cc's, and 22" tires hits 96mph. I'm sure that CR will easily do that. Hope this helps.

-Mark

[rannalf]

Yes, they are too powerful, IMO. Now, based on the fact you are talking about riding in dunes, that may be ok. I live on the east coast and it is tight trails and woods here for the most part. Almost every person I know that has or had a CR500 or KX500 says they are too damn fast. I guess I am getting old, because I just have no need anymore to try and go 100 mph across rocky, rutted, uneven ground. I might consider riding one of those if I could convert it to street legal and gear it way up so it wasn't such a handful at low speeds.

[Stevester]

It has to climb this...fast. This is the type of riding I have in mind, no tracks, no moto, nothing but open areas.



700 ft up, getting steeper at the top. My Raptor 660 (modded) needs first gear to climb it...

[bitemark46]

Stevester- I fvcking hate you!

The places I ride are about as hilly as a 4th grade school girl.

That 500 would be at home there.

[89bluenotch]

i would use it for that hill climb....or a yz 426. you will get used to the power if you have been riding for a while, its a very different powerband so hold on tight!

[FordDriver]

I'd skip the CR500 and go with a CRF450. Less maintenance, no mixing fuel, and nearly the same power with a couple minor bolt-ons FTMFW!

[rannalf]

Yeah, in that case, I think it would be great. I think I would actually want something like that if I was riding out there.

[mmeans]

Two Stroke Woot! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Di2Mv...eature=related

Yes


Michael Means

[nosinjcted]

Originally Posted by rannalf

Yeah, in that case, I think it would be great. I think I would actually want something like that if I was riding out there.

x2, that look's like some pretty cool riding out there. I think you'll need that bike to get up there.

[99RioRedVert]

I don't like 500cc dirt bikes. I've riden a few. I always went faster on my KX250. A 250 is a lot lighter/more flickable, which is really important in a dirt bike. Also, I was already used to the power delivery of a 250, which is up high in the power band. So, I rode with the throttle open all the time; more aggressive. The power in a 500 seems to be all down low, so I had a harder time using it. It also depends on what type of riding you're doing. Motocross, I liked my 250 way better. Technical trail riding, I really liked my 250 better. Wide open dunes or hill climbing, 500.

My .02

[R0B0T]

Originally Posted by FordDriver

I'd skip the CR500 and go with a CRF450. Less maintenance, no mixing fuel, and nearly the same power with a couple minor bolt-ons FTMFW!

what in the **** are you talking about???

the high performance 4 strokes, check the valves every 20 hours.
cost twice as much to rebuild, and it's a lot more complicated work.
that is, unless they have made great strides in the last couple years; i quit paying attention.

2 strokes are cheaper, LESS major maintenance(and it's more simple), and in my opinion more fun.
and a big bore 2 stroke doesn't need a rebuild as often as a smaller 2 stroke because you don't have to wind them up as much as a smaller one, therefore, less wear and tear.

mixing gas sucks, but i'd rather be mixing gas than paying out the ass for some hyped up 4 stroke. yes, i know 4 strokes are generally faster on a track, but that's because of the small size bikes, the 4 strokes have more torque and it's easier to power around the course without shifting. it's also easier to catch traction with a 4 stroke versus a 2 stroke because the power comes on every 4 strokes instead of every 2, therefore giving the tire more time to "bite".

for dunes, go big bore 2 stroke all the way.

[mmeans]

I love mixing fuel, it lets the mad scientist inside have some fun. Not to mention you can also use it for the yard equipment...


Michael Means

[bitemark46]

Originally Posted by mmeans

I love mixing fuel, it lets the mad scientist inside have some fun. Not to mention you can also use it for the yard equipment...


Michael Means

+1. People think mixing fuel is like making nitro methane. lol. Its not hard. Hell they even sell little mixing containers with the ratio markers on the side saying 20:1, 28:1, 32:1, 40:1 etc.

Plus I LOVE the smell of Castor 927 while I ride.

[mmeans]

I was a Bel-Ray man but it's all pretty sweet....


Michael Means

[99RioRedVert]

Yeah, nothing beats the smell of 2 stroke exhaust in the morning. It means a long day of good riding is ahead!

[Lashlarue]

I preferred the Honda two strokes because of chrome lined cylinders, no expensive boring and I could re-ring my Cr250 in less than 1/2 hour.The hard part was keeping the front wheel on the ground. My last one was a 80 model I bought in 81. yep a 43 year old idiot at the time.My last two left knee surgeries were due to my running over 30 class back in 73. Orthoscopes hadn't been invented yet, so all I received was crutches and physical therapy.My knee held up till 98, then had additional surgery in 05.Now about once a year I get a series of shots of Hyaluronic Acid directly into the meniscus area of my left knee.But if I had it to do it over, I'd do it again, the most fun you can have with your clothes on !!!

[csgoody]

That 500 will be sweet for that type of riding.
It doesn't get any easier for maintenance than a 2stroke.Go for it.

I have a title that came with the bike from the dealer .It states 61hp
The roost from a skat paddle on a built cr500 is nuts.
Kicking them is not much fun though.

[hrtatak]

The CR500 will be perfect for that kind of riding. Point, shoot, and hang on tight.

Oh yeah 2 strokes rule....4 strokes drool

[DOHCMERC]

Originally Posted by Lashlarue

I preferred the Honda two strokes because of chrome lined cylinders, no expensive boring and I could re-ring my Cr250 in less than 1/2 hour.The hard part was keeping the front wheel on the ground. My last one was a 80 model I bought in 81. yep a 43 year old idiot at the time.My last two left knee surgeries were due to my running over 30 class back in 73. Orthoscopes hadn't been invented yet, so all I received was crutches and physical therapy.My knee held up till 98, then had additional surgery in 05.Now about once a year I get a series of shots of Hyaluronic Acid directly into the meniscus area of my left knee.But if I had it to do it over, I'd do it again, the most fun you can have with your clothes on !!!

I didn't know Honda did that........I do know Kawasaki pioneered the Nickasil(sp?) cylinder
which was always a two edged sword. No wear but if sumpin' fragged a cylinder you had to
replace the whole jug. (never had to, though)


To the OP, like said a couple times, a 500 2 stroke has the hit of a 4 stroke down low
and still hits like a locomotive on top. Unlike the smaller 2 strokes
there is no abrupt hit.....kinda like a rheostat controlled electric motor.
I think they're easier to ride than a peaky 250 2 stroke.

I put a Tecate mag on a KX-500 (for the lighting kit) the absolute most incredibly
smooth/powerful powerband I've ever experienced.....and that included 600 4 strokes!!!

[SVO LOU]

For your first mx'er to ride on a track or trails I would say it's too much but for dunes? Seems like the perfect bike.

Lou.

[SinisterSnake]

Needs more swing arm and a paddle tire! Go for it!

[jleews6]

The 500 will work for the dunes but if I were doing any MX or woods riding I would go for a 450. If you the 500 make sure your heads is over the bars before you crack that throttle or you will be sitting on your a$$.

[MOTORCITYMADMAN]

CR500 all the way.

I've had 2
86' Big bore 500
96' compression, race gas, pipe, port and 10 paddle tire = wheelie in 4th.

[Joe T]

Originally Posted by Stevester

It has to climb this...fast. This is the type of riding I have in mind, no tracks, no moto, nothing but open areas.



700 ft up, getting steeper at the top. My Raptor 660 (modded) needs first gear to climb it...

That looks really fun, but do all those people go there just to climb that hill?




BTW: I'd love to take a CR500 up that hill!

[csgoody]

Originally Posted by MOTORCITYMADMAN

CR500 all the way.

I've had 2
86' Big bore 500
96' compression, race gas, pipe, port and 10 paddle tire = wheelie in 4th.

My friend will wheelie past me on his 500 . I am wide open on my cr250.
The rut/trench he leaves is crazy.

[adam699]

Originally Posted by mmeans

Two Stroke Woot! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Di2Mv...eature=related

Yes


Michael Means

I liked the video but do you have anything more recent?

[mmeans]

Originally Posted by adam699

I liked the video but do you have anything more recent?

The unfortunate part is no mor two stroke 500cc class in MotoGP. Too many rider highsides and race teams took a hit trying to find replacement riders.

This is great though, Laguna Seca, last year's battle between Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfPM77TsGaA

These are the 4 stroke bikes.


Michael Means