anyone here ever race a CR500R or CR500AF?

[ShanMan]

I was wondering if any of you have actually raced or raced against (IN ANY FORM) a CR500R or better yet, an aluminum framed CR500AF? I am curious why if the AF is supposed to be the best, kill everything open-classer, there isn't anyone riding one in the professional ranks? (aside from the fact that they may not produce enough of them)

[Paul]

Hey Shannon, I've owned a CR500 and ridden a CR500AF and the only noticable difference was the AF vibrated more due to that stiff frame. I rode them in the desert not a motorcross track though. I've heard the AF will really shine on the track. I feels like a CR250 in its slimness but with the power of the 500 and the worst vibration you could imagine. Most people that spend $8200.00 plus for a $5000 bike WILL tell you its the most awesome thing ever. I know I would

I've raced them here in Arizona and the ONLY place I've seen a CR500 with an advantage is on a motocross track. I will just flat out out manuever the KX but once in the desert the CR pays for that MX'r heritage.

[ShanMan]

Thanks Paul. I have to admit that when I was getting back into the sport, I thought the AF was a killer idea, because I always thought the aluminum framed CR250 was a nice piece, but at 240 lbs, I would need more power. Plus, being a mechanical engineer, I always gravitate to the trick hardware.    But, with that said, I have run against a few CRF450's and CR500's out at Glamis and at Pismo and simply walked 'em! I suppose I will just have to blame my lack of pure MX-style cornering ability on my aging steed ... ... but revel in the fact that it is a stable handling bike on the trails, the sand and in the desert too! I can't wait to get this d**ned cast off so I can get the flywheel weight, reeds and reed spacer in there to feel the difference.  

[K5RACER]

CR500 Yes, Its all rider ability, out of the box a CR5 is alot more managable than a KX5, However after getting both bikes dialed in and the KX does take more work First getting the band to a usable spot for a track racing and second alot of fork reworking then all the misc goodies added and gearing set for the track, Its all rider from their, either bike depending on rider abilitys can be equally competitive to the other. Just my experience.
I have no experience with a AF nor have i ever raced/seen one in action.

[1alldave]

I have a 2000 CR500AF that I bought new. I also have a 99 KX500.This is my second KX500, I have also owned two other CR500s. I wanted that AF in the worst way, mainly due to the modern ergos. I mainly ride sand, and that is all about motor-advantage K5. 7 mm more stroke, a power valve, and a plated bore = way more hop up potential. The AF is a sweet bike though. The vibration thing is way overhyped, it does not vibrate any more than either of my K5s with trued cranks. That stiff frame also has a way of making mistakes turn out OK.

[Paul]

Then you might want to get your money back

The vibration thing is way overhyped, it does not vibrate any more than either of my K5s with trued cranks.

I have two KX5's - one trued and one not trued - and the 2000 AF I rode was no where near as smooth as my trued crank KX. The stock KX and the CR500AF vibrated similarly but my hands tingled WAY more after riding the beer can bike.

Those are my experiences with the AF. My '01 CR500 didn't leave my hands tingling as much as that '00 AF either.

[Biggreenmonster]

I have had both bikes 98CR500 and 93KX500.my friend also had a 94KX500.I beat him on both bikes all the time but thats just me.Th cr has a harsh hit in the lower rpm range...at least its more noticable than my KX....But my kx is way faster in the end.I am talking riding old logging roads and powerline service roads,not motocross.If i could have my way i would still have all the bikes i have ever had...but life is crazy at times.The most violent bike i have ever had was a 1981 CR450R...man this bike had instant hit,and if not carefull on your ass in a sec!!It only had 4 gears and was geared so tall it was almost impossible to ride in the woods.I liked it though!!I had to end up putting a stealthy on my cr but i still like my Biggreenmonster!!!!

[1alldave]

I am an open bike fan..period. I will keep that AF until I die because it represents the start of what could have been. The only bikes I have ever owned have been 2 stroke 500s, starting with an 84 air cooled CR500-ping monster. I still have a cyl. from one of the two 85 CR500s I had.That year has to be the most violent motor of all time.I filled the frame on my AF with expanding foam, it did seem to make a difference in vibration. Until I got the AF, I thought that the old school ergos of my KX500
and my old school CRs was holding me back, it turns out that I just had alot to learn about riding and need to develop my skills.Anyway, as a horsepower junkie, I just like having the 2 baddest bikes that have ever been built.

[bigborefan]

right on 1alldave...if i had the greenbacks..i'd buy one of everything....that aluminum honda would sure look sweet in my living room....but i'll always keep my kx 500's

[ShanMan]

Awesome replies! You know, all joking aside, in the hot rod community it is a pretty normal exersize to drop one maker's engine into another maker's chassis. I wonder if anyone has considered the validity of putting a KX500 motor (trued of course) into a CR or CRF chassis? It would be a fun exersize to tweak the geometry of the aluminum chassis ever so slightly to similtaneously accept the KX mill and ever so slightly alter the geometry to make it the ideal desert sled. Sort of soften the knife-like turning quality to enhance stability. Using a stabilizer could take care of the rest, and allow you the tunability to either blast a desert course or carve up an MX course. And yes, I know it doesn't really need to be done as the KX5, the CR5 and the AF all serve as quality mounts already, but so what....it would still be fun to try!  

[Paul]

Kinda like the Sox -n- Martin Hemi powered Colts

[NastyNick]

anybody ever had the chance to ride one of these: http://www.atkusa.com/bikes/2004Models/700Itimidator.asp

700cc two stoke with modern ergos.  Sure looks nice, but from the review I saw, you need the Hulk to kick it over.

[teamgreen500]

Paul,
You need to take my "SR" replica on a Motocross course...tighter turns tha an AF! Tracks better, too!

And they don't come off the turns as well as ours...KIPS, I'm guessing...

Manny

[1alldave]

I think it actually would be easier to put the K5 motor into a AF CR chassis than a KX250 chassis, due to the head stay location in the front of a KX250. This is something I was thinking about before I got the AF Honda.May revisit this thought if I ever come upon a killer deal on a Honda parts bike.

[mikesmith]

I cant be sure,but if I remeber right,but I think it was  Jeff Ward who rode a CR500AF at Mammoth Mtn. last year and wouldnt ride the bike in the second moto because he hated it so much.Seth Enslow does his big jumps on one,I saw the CR500AF he crashed going for a world record jump,the damage was amazing!As loyal as I am to Kawasaki I would love to have a 500AF!