CR500AF VS. CRF500R

[delusionised]

http://com1.runboard.com/bcre500cr500e.fgeneraltalkwhatshappening.t6

Awesome article, any of you ever run with a 500AF? Looks like a cool bike!                                                                                                                                                                




http://www.servicehonda.com/cr500af_le.html

[gowen]

I have ridden one from Service Honda before and that was from a friend who thought he wanted one. But after a few years, he ended up selling it cause the vibes/arm pump was killing him, but then again, he raced 125's pro and we can forgive him. lol Anyway, it was quite a ride, but uncomfortable compared to the KX and was not as fast in my oppinion.

I just got a '02 KX250 and would really like to drop my 500 engine in it. But, not going to happen. I'm looking into some guy selling off his rocket science frame but he is wanting $1500 and I'm not sure if I want to dump that kind of cash into my bike just for cosmetic sakes.

[afritts4u]

It seems that a kx out does them both in the power department. A slightly modified kx makes close to 60hp. I have a friend that just spent $7,500 on a 05 crf450r, with modifications. I spent $2,800 for a 1998 kx500. No mater whear we race,  I can smoke him. That leaves me with $4,000 to pay the bar tab to calm down my friend after a ride.

[gowen]

$4000? Wow, you have alot of room my friend. $500 of that could be spent on a total rebuild with a big  bore and porting!! There is 63hp off the bat! Plus some advancing or some hi-rpm ignition and some carb work, you should be in the low 70s.  That's keeping under just $1000. Then you got the 3 grand for cosmetic rocket science frame.

[delusionised]

It seems that a kx out does them both in the power department. A slightly modified kx makes close to 60hp. I have a friend that just spent $7,500 on a 05 crf450r, with modifications. I spent $2,800 for a 1998 kx500. No mater whear we race,  I can smoke him. That leaves me with $4,000 to pay the bar tab to calm down my friend after a ride.

Is your bike modified? if so what have you done and how much does it cost?

[afritts4u]

I have a fmf fatty, vforce reeds, spacer and mild porting and about to do the suspension. Cost about $500 for the mods to date. My last bike was seth enlows cr250 with the red rims. At my weight 200+ I dont notice the "wresteling" feeling with my k5 and love it!

[Minnetonka_Mark]

I have a 2004 CRF250X.  I now painfully realize that Honda's aluminum frame design completely blocks access to the carb.   This is a problem on a four stroke.  However, on a two stroke you absolutely must have easy access to the carb in order to adjust the jetting and needle position.  Yamaha figured this out.  Their new aluminum frame (YZ125 and YZ250) does NOT block carb access.

The aluminum framed Service Honda CR500AF will be extremely frustrating.  You can't access the carb without tearing half of the bike apart (tank, subframe top bolts, and rear shock top mount).  Go look at the pictures and see if you can find the carb.  Its buried out of view.  Getting full access to the carb on my CRF250X takes about an hour.  The CR500AF will be similar.

A second point-  As far as I know, CR500 engine technology is at least one generation older than is the KX500 engine.  The CR500 does not have a power valve.  All modern two strokes have a power valve.

A third point- The Service Honda CR500AF is a $7000 plus bike (new).  How many slightly used or new KX500's can you buy for $7000 plus?  Two or possibly three.  No thanks to the CR500AF.

[delusionised]

Good points i just thought that it would be nice to have a 500 that was not such a brute on a motocross track. I tried to take my 03kx5 to a motocross track and was beat sensless. There is no way (atleast for me) to use this bike on a motocross track. When i jump i have way to much power or  not enough causing me to teter-toter in the air, i all most died. I figure maybe since the CR500AF has a newer frame and ergonomics that it maybe better to motocross.

[mikesmith]

Thats why I miss the 500 nationals,with out sounding corney it was "the mans" class!The more you ride it the better it gets,give it more time and dont compare it to a 125 or 250.Have fun!