KX 500 OR CR 500

Never had a Honda but on my KX I put a Pro Circuit pipe, heavier springs front and rear and a heavy flywheel. It was the ultimate moto /woods/hare scrambles bike. Wish I still had it.

The Honda definitely hold their value better and bring in more money typically

Love the CR500. Riding my dad’s 88 CR500 at Mammoth last year in the smoke and fire race. Great fun.

The CR500 is the ultimate play bike. Any amount of power delivered in an instant. The KX is better for covering enough territory that if one was in a small country would make one think if their visa was in order as they pass from country to country. Hard to say. I liked my 86 CR500 more than my 89 with those horrible forks.

That 88 must have been great. Those cartridge forks were better than the inverteds for some years.

Had a 94 KX500 for a while. Decided to sell it. Some guy comes by to look at it and wants to test drive. Sure no problem. He leaves on the bike. A little while later I see him pushing it back. He says "It's too much for me".

I have the following big-bore 2-strokes in my stable right now:

1983 Honda CR480
1986 Honda CR500
1992 Kawasaki KX500
1995 Honda CR500
2001 Kawasaki KX500
2012 Service Honda CR500AF

I like the KX500's best. Quality wise (metallurgy, fasteners, design) the Hondas are better, but I prefer the KX500 for motocross. The engine pulls like a tractor, and it is nice going to the line knowing you will get the holeshot!

The CR500 has better brakes, and it turns better, but the KX500 suspension is better, and did I mention the awesome KX500 motor? I think that the CR500 motor tires me out faster than the KX500 motor, but both bikes tire you out more than a 450 4-stroke... or an Alta Redshift.

I recently just bought a Yamaha front end for the SSS forks for my 2001 KX500, and I also bought an oversize Galfer front rotor and got everything bolted on yesterday - i can't wait to try it.

I raced my buddies 87 CR500 at Millville ACR in Vintage 80s Open last October. I had never even swung a leg over one before practice. It was super fun .

I'd even go farther back to a carbed 05-08 CRF450r (owned several). The 500 will tire you out quicker due to the engine
& the chassis suspension will feel outdated in comparison (steely frame 500's). The 93-01 CR5 would be a good option with the 97-01 being the last models to get any updates. They're basically the same bike with some refinements & BNG's.

Had an 02 CR2 AF, 08 CRF450r Showas with a 90 CR5 engine that was a fun bike, but preferred the steel chassis due to the vibration.

I had both. Kx is an easier bike to ride. CR is better built.

The kx500 waxed every cr500 guy I've seen when they matched up. I have only had Honda and Yamaha growing up but finally decided to go green. A coworker didn't like his cr500 but he wanted something more modern. You have to be into the nostalgics of it because its severally out dated. I rode each a few times and if you're serious about competing I would get the kx500. Its a lot more ridable and I loved the power valve. I just picked one up for $1,500. Never thought I would have one but here I am. You can make the kx better now with great suspension and new parts from a kx450f. Also grab a kx250 gas tank but if you ride desert or anything with a bit of a ride stick to the regular tank... its a big 500 she eats. So right now, Seems like the cr guys are all listing their bike for 10k to raise the market. Smart. Ive asked a couple and they said they were "testing the market" hmmm weird seems like some shady shit going on by people trying to create a high dollar market. Looks like the KX is catching on im seeing similar numbers now too. I would wait out. Covid and this high demand or inflation for one is unrealistic for a 30 year old bike.

Both great bikes, but I chose the Honda CR 500 in a 06 Honda cr 250r frame
Fasst flex bars work awesome and took away 80%of vibration

I have built 3 cr500af bikes and liked each one of them, also had 2 kx500 regular framed bike and didn't really like them but later on that issue. Around 1992 or so a friend who was a factory Honda mechanic(now retired) said the Kawasaki was a better motor due to the power valve(KIPS). I went testing one day with him and a Honda test rider and they were riding Kawasaki kx500s. He said the only real draw back between the two bikes was the kx had an exhaust valve and the cr did not, he also said the kx power valve should be cleaned (de- gummed properly every 6-8 weeks ( my real problem with the kx). My only other real problem with the kx was the clutch pull was extremely hard even though the entire clutch was replaced(cable,plated, springs,clutch basket and clutch lever). I even made a quick removal clutch cover. If it were up to me I would make a kx500 motor and install it in an RMZ450 chassis. OK now I am done with this book, thanks for reading.....

I was tempted by an add for a 1996 kx500 for 6000. Seemed a little steep for me so I didn’t jump. What are these bikes going for these days?

WAY TOO MUCH, but they are worth whatever someone is willing to pay,,,

Honda is the best , fuck the rest!