Trying to decide, KX/CR 500 or 250 2 stroke

EastFlorida
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EastFlorida
Edited Date/Time 1/27/2012 1:11pm
As a Vet rider, I'd like some input on the KX/CR 500 vs a 250 2 stroke. I'm intrigued by the 500's, but I'm not sure they will be too much fun after a few rides. I'd love some feedback. I'm thinking 250, but man, the 500's are so cool...

Shaun
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Orange724
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Orange724 8/31/2011 8:04pm
8/31/2011 8:04pm
I just got into riding a 94 CR500 and I think it's a blast still after a few trips to some tracks.

There's nothing than railing a berm in 4th gear on a 500 and hearing it growl but pulling like a psycho.

I still got a 250 though for when I want to go out and make a bike scream.


EastFlorida
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EastFlorida 8/31/2011 8:11pm
8/31/2011 8:11pm
Orange724 wrote:
I just got into riding a 94 CR500 and I think it's a blast still after a few trips to some tracks. There's nothing than railing...
I just got into riding a 94 CR500 and I think it's a blast still after a few trips to some tracks.

There's nothing than railing a berm in 4th gear on a 500 and hearing it growl but pulling like a psycho.

I still got a 250 though for when I want to go out and make a bike scream.


Orange,

Did all that HP push your helmet up on your head like that? ha ha...
reded
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reded 8/31/2011 8:16pm
8/31/2011 8:16pm
The 500's are fun for a while but are hard to hang onto for very long and aren't much fun when you get tired. The 250 will provide you with a full days worth of entertainment without completely thrashing your body.

The Shop

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EastFlorida
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EastFlorida 8/31/2011 8:20pm
8/31/2011 8:20pm Edited Date/Time 8/31/2011 8:21pm
reded wrote:
The 500's are fun for a while but are hard to hang onto for very long and aren't much fun when you get tired. The 250...
The 500's are fun for a while but are hard to hang onto for very long and aren't much fun when you get tired. The 250 will provide you with a full days worth of entertainment without completely thrashing your body.
Red,

Yeah, that was what I was thinking too.

I have to admit, the aura of the 500 is hard to resist!

Reality must kick in when you must choose only 1 bike. I think 250 is the way to go...

I wish I could have 1 of each, 125, 250 & 500.

Since I can only afford 1, I'm guessing 250...

Damn it, I wish I had my old 250 KX again..
reded
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reded 8/31/2011 8:24pm
8/31/2011 8:24pm
Another thing to think about, the 250's have modern suspension components whereas the 500's aren't really up to date. Parts are still plentiful for the 250's as well.
EastFlorida
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EastFlorida 8/31/2011 8:27pm
8/31/2011 8:27pm
reded wrote:
Another thing to think about, the 250's have modern suspension components whereas the 500's aren't really up to date. Parts are still plentiful for the 250's...
Another thing to think about, the 250's have modern suspension components whereas the 500's aren't really up to date. Parts are still plentiful for the 250's as well.
Red, you've sold me... dang it...
edgo897
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edgo897 8/31/2011 8:32pm
8/31/2011 8:32pm
Get one of the last RM250s. Motor pulls like a tractor so its really easy to ride. I have an '05.
pilotdude
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pilotdude 8/31/2011 8:36pm
8/31/2011 8:36pm
I have a CR500AFC with a 2005 CRF450 frame and suspension and a 1998 motor. I put a Steahly flywheel weight and Rekluse z start pro clutch on it--smoooooth, strong, controllable power and a blast to ride. It definitely vibrates more than a 4 stroke but it doesn't wear me out any more than my CRF450.

And it is the coolest bike I've ever had by far. At the amateur national last year on the line in practice the guy next to me on his 2010 looked my bike up and down and said, "Man, that is the sweetest bike here."
EastFlorida
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EastFlorida 8/31/2011 8:38pm
8/31/2011 8:38pm
edgo897 wrote:
Get one of the last RM250s. Motor pulls like a tractor so its really easy to ride. I have an '05.
Edgo,

Anything after 1999 is OK by me. My 1999 KX250 was great, but I was looking for 6th gear on some rides. The bike was sweet and I can't find anything like it for what I sold it for.

The KX's were at risk on the lower link bearings. Most non-racers never serviced them and it can be pain to fix.

What? You mean I need to remove the bolt and grease the needle beaings, I've never heard of that. Almost all KX's have seized link bearings if the bike was "trail" ridden or "never raced". geezzzz..

I've never had a RM, but I'm williing to consider one...
TheWeapon
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TheWeapon 8/31/2011 8:55pm
8/31/2011 8:55pm Edited Date/Time 8/31/2011 8:56pm
What about a KTM XC300? Husaberg make a 300 2-stroke also. The KTM is electric start!
EastFlorida
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EastFlorida 8/31/2011 9:03pm
8/31/2011 9:03pm
TheWeapon wrote:
What about a KTM XC300? Husaberg make a 300 2-stroke also. The KTM is electric start!
If I could find one locally....
chump6784
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chump6784 8/31/2011 9:20pm
8/31/2011 9:20pm
250 bored to a 300. A guy on here posted a review on his rm a few months ago, he loved it
edgo897
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edgo897 8/31/2011 10:22pm
8/31/2011 10:22pm
My '05 RM250 has plenty of power and the motor is bone stock. Since I've owned it I've cracked five ribs and broken one ankle. Although there are times when shift up and find there is no sixth gear.
ODB
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ODB 9/1/2011 3:26am
9/1/2011 3:26am
if you want a bike to ride outside the comfort zone a 500 will get you there
72kiteboarder
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72kiteboarder 9/1/2011 5:06am
9/1/2011 5:06am
That is a huge gap between those bikes. if you are not sure, go with the 250.
zippy895
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zippy895 9/1/2011 5:10am
9/1/2011 5:10am
in florida,
the 250 2stroke is choice . i had all three sized 2's here in fl. and hands down 250.
500 too brutal with sand tracks,125 wear and tear in sand.
burn1986
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burn1986 9/1/2011 6:09am
9/1/2011 6:09am Edited Date/Time 9/1/2011 6:19am
I've had an 80 something RM465, 87 CR500, and a 94 CR500 and I have to say these bikes were more fun on a track than anywhere else. I'm a small guy at 5'6" and I started to get used to the 94 CR. I actually put a CR250 tank and shrouds on it, which seemed to help the feel a little, but on a track you can get used to it. It may take about 2 weeks, but this is probably closer to the feel of a 450. The funny thing is I liked the RM465 the best. It was super easy to ride.

If I had to choose though, I would get a 250 for all around riding and racing. Even so, a 500 would be nice to have along with it. The RMs always felt like a slightly bigger 125 for me, that's probably why I had one. Any of the late model 2-strokes would be good, though I would go with YZ or KTM, since none of the others make them anymore.

The only thing I don't like about the KTM is the front fender.

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jmar
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jmar 9/1/2011 6:26am
9/1/2011 6:26am
I don't think you can go wrong with either.
Oldskool
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Oldskool 9/1/2011 6:33am
9/1/2011 6:33am
Stop being a pussy (LOL)!!!

Get the 500.
miedosoracing1 9/1/2011 8:47am
9/1/2011 8:47am
KTM 300XC, I second what someone else said. That bike has the low end and smoothness, but is also not a brute. I loved my CR500AF, but decided a 300 would be better.
kripple428
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kripple428 9/1/2011 9:03am
9/1/2011 9:03am
from what I've heard 500's aren't very fun on an mx track they have too much power but I can't really say I've never ridden one
yota
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yota 9/1/2011 9:06am
9/1/2011 9:06am
I have a CR500Af and it's great as long as you don't whisky throttle it. (where is the shoulder separation emoticon)?
FreshTopEnd
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FreshTopEnd 9/1/2011 9:08am
9/1/2011 9:08am
kripple428 wrote:
from what I've heard 500's aren't very fun on an mx track they have too much power but I can't really say I've never ridden one
Most people try to ride them like a 250. Go two gears higher and go smooth. You are still working more bike, though, but the bike is working you less.
CamP
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CamP 9/1/2011 9:21am
9/1/2011 9:21am
The biggest issue I had with the CR500 is turning. They have a huge 79mm stroke crankshaft which acts like a big gyroscope. This makes the bike more difficult to change directions.
queen of spodes 9/1/2011 9:25am
9/1/2011 9:25am
CamP wrote:
The biggest issue I had with the CR500 is turning. They have a huge 79mm stroke crankshaft which acts like a big gyroscope. This makes the...
The biggest issue I had with the CR500 is turning. They have a huge 79mm stroke crankshaft which acts like a big gyroscope. This makes the bike more difficult to change directions.
How is that any different from a CRF450?
miedosoracing1 9/1/2011 9:29am
9/1/2011 9:29am
CamP wrote:
The biggest issue I had with the CR500 is turning. They have a huge 79mm stroke crankshaft which acts like a big gyroscope. This makes the...
The biggest issue I had with the CR500 is turning. They have a huge 79mm stroke crankshaft which acts like a big gyroscope. This makes the bike more difficult to change directions.
queen of spodes wrote:
How is that any different from a CRF450?
The steel framed steered like a 450 to me, but my 500AF turned like a CR250. I had no issues turning at all, anywhere inside or out. The main problem I had, is that on sand tracks it was very tough, and on really short supercross style tracks, I had to really stay on my toes and not whiskey it. But on a open MX track, I'd pull any bike on the track, including 450F's with ease. If you ride woods or open style MX you will love the bike. It really depends on tracks and what your style is. I personally would recommend the 300 though. JMHO.
kaboom645 9/1/2011 9:29am
9/1/2011 9:29am
TheWeapon wrote:
What about a KTM XC300? Husaberg make a 300 2-stroke also. The KTM is electric start!
EastFlorida wrote:
If I could find one locally....
I am sort of local( tampa area) and have a nice, extremely low hours 2010 KTM 250sx for sale... All you would need to add is a 300 kit from KTM
CamP
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CamP 9/1/2011 9:37am
9/1/2011 9:37am
CamP wrote:
The biggest issue I had with the CR500 is turning. They have a huge 79mm stroke crankshaft which acts like a big gyroscope. This makes the...
The biggest issue I had with the CR500 is turning. They have a huge 79mm stroke crankshaft which acts like a big gyroscope. This makes the bike more difficult to change directions.
queen of spodes wrote:
How is that any different from a CRF450?
The CRF450 has a much smaller crankshaft so it doesn't have as much flywheel inertia.
Orange724
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Orange724 9/1/2011 10:43am
9/1/2011 10:43am
I second the whiskey throttle thing. Last week at the track I whiskey throttled my 500 for just a second. That thing took off like a rocket and I flew off the track. It's not a big deal when I grab a little too much throttle on my 250, but that 500 has no mercy. I still think it's fun as hell at a track. Just ride a few gears high and try and be smooth. It's surprising how fast you start to go around the track

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