Hey guys, I've been toying with the idea of picking up one of these bikes to ride at our local off-road park that is situated on the shore of the Pacific Ocean. I used to ride out there quite often back in the '80s when you could ride for miles legally but unfortunately the area has been reduced to acreage. Anyhow I want something fairly light with lots of power to ride with my buddy and his 700 Raptor. Must be cheap and cheap to maintain and I think that pretty much describes both of these 500s. Probably be looking for a mid '90s up model. Thanks for any input.
Both are beasts with much power. In my experience I've seen more than a few KX500 with 3rd gear issues. Not so many issues on CR500.
I would have thought that a bike which is easy to start, might be worth looking at, before opting for a hard to start difficult to ride 500?
You got an easy method to start a 500cc MX bike? None of those I had started that well, and simply cant see the point of having one for playbike use.
I don't have a problem starting them. Difficult to ride? Fun, I say! Maybe not so much fun in tight, technical single track but wide open beach and sand dunes? Kick arse! Now....which is better suited for the sand--the CR or KX??
However lots of people do. Like brucifer. His question was pretty specific. Your response had nothing to do with his query. Besides nothing else hits like a 500 2T motocrosser. Piston
I hear they start and run better with Taiwanese Epay carbs, Chinese CDIs and thinned down Autolube oil. Z
I really cant fuckin believe how hard it is for an answer on here, half the replys should just be in the basement C5 bullet proof & has massive snap, power right now. I LOVE 86's have had 89 90 98 2000 & 2 86's K5 most power over a broader rpm hands down. My personal only 1 bike pick. A little hinky in some areas like the frame is kinda light duty & they shoulda bolted on gears & sprockets instead of snap rings . But a cylinder replate with a big bore & you'll smoke most anything & has a higher top speed with the powervalve offering a wider spread of power. Get a clean one, low hour , even if it costs a bit more. When the motors done , there done, no quick piston & re-bore like the cr but well worth it. Either bike & you wont be sorry but if you want the fastest go K5. You could also get a ktm500 or 550 2 smoke the mid 90's 550 is sposed to be sweet but never had one yet. ps you can trail ride a 500 & its easier to ride than a 250 cause they lug, but if you've never tried & are just a doucher on the net...
Good info here. What is it about the '86 CR500 you love? I'm selling my '84 mainly because this particular bike should have a full restoration but also the appalling design of the kick starter--it's high, short and slams the top of your foot into the foot peg.
Why screw around with a 500? Bigger is better, and it even has a compression release for 'easy' starting....
Really can't help you but visions of Danny Hamel kickng ass for team green make me lean toward the KX ... Plus in my neck of the woods the KX seem to be found in better condition for cheaper thn then CR.
RE: ATK If I could find one cheap enough! Those things come in 500, 600 and 700cc as I recall. I remember reading a test on them and the author preferred the 600. Said the 700 was kinda like a diesel and didn't change RPM much.
Why do I not find it surprising twinsucker is scared of big bores? Hard to start? Difficult to ride? Not.
That is because you are totally clueless about the technical aspects of Anything to do with two strokes. You use the wrong oil at the wrong ratio with improper jetting My KX500 was a great bike for MX and off road use.
The 84-86 cr500 motors are short-rod motors, the short rod reduced crankcase volume & makes for more hit. I just barely noticed your 84 in you sig , yeah thats what I'm talking about. They are a beast to kick period, it makes me wonder how honda sold them. Have you thought about a de-compressor ? Also you might could try & see if some of the other 85-88 kickers are different lengths to get it so its further under the peg. An 84 would be in the collection if I could collect, a friend had one in high school & man they go.
How cheap is cheap enough? You never know.... Mine is a 620cc, they also come in 500 and 685, and it was Frank White who gave his impressions of the different displacement bikes: 500=fun, 620=race, and 685(700)=for old guys who want to climb hills.