MXA's test of the CR500AF

WhKnuckle
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WhKnuckle
Edited Date/Time 1/25/2012 8:54pm
I just got my digital version of the MXA CR500AF test, and it's a great read. I wish I knew how to paste it in here, but they had a great wrap-up paragraph.

If you're interested in the bike, or even if you're just curious, it's a must-read.
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jtomasik
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jtomasik 4/22/2008 4:03pm
4/22/2008 4:03pm
How 'bout just a summary, please?
docweedon
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docweedon 4/22/2008 4:05pm
4/22/2008 4:05pm
I remember back in the 90's MXA had a 500cc shootout and the headline was something like "Real Men ride 500s!"

WhKnuckle
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WhKnuckle 4/22/2008 4:13pm
4/22/2008 4:13pm
jtomasik wrote:
How 'bout just a summary, please?
Well, they said it's really powerful - more powerful than a 450. And they said that, with the right rider, it's faster on the track; but you have to ride it the right way. I was particularly fond of a statement that their test riders were riding the 450 and 500 on the same day, and after they rode the 500 for a while, the 450 felt like a 250F. They said it was very well balanced handling-wise, they didn't object to the vibration, and they were a little misty-eyed about the history and "bearing" of the bike. I couldn't agree more.

jon(#42)
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jon(#42) 4/22/2008 4:14pm
4/22/2008 4:14pm
jtomasik wrote:
How 'bout just a summary, please?
WhKnuckle wrote:
Well, they said it's really powerful - more powerful than a 450. And they said that, with the right rider, it's faster on the track; but...
Well, they said it's really powerful - more powerful than a 450. And they said that, with the right rider, it's faster on the track; but you have to ride it the right way. I was particularly fond of a statement that their test riders were riding the 450 and 500 on the same day, and after they rode the 500 for a while, the 450 felt like a 250F. They said it was very well balanced handling-wise, they didn't object to the vibration, and they were a little misty-eyed about the history and "bearing" of the bike. I couldn't agree more.

holy shit who would want anything FASTER than a 450?

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WhKnuckle
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WhKnuckle 4/22/2008 4:19pm
4/22/2008 4:19pm
I just like it because it's more fun. A good rider can go faster than me on a 125; but there's nothing that's as much fun as riding a big two stroke.
jon(#42)
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jon(#42) 4/22/2008 4:20pm
4/22/2008 4:20pm
WhKnuckle wrote:
I just like it because it's more fun. A good rider can go faster than me on a 125; but there's nothing that's as much fun...
I just like it because it's more fun. A good rider can go faster than me on a 125; but there's nothing that's as much fun as riding a big two stroke.
hows the powerband on somthing like that? I bet it hits real hard when it comes on.
WhKnuckle
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WhKnuckle 4/22/2008 4:23pm
4/22/2008 4:23pm
It's really strong. It has a lot of low-end, and still has a big midrange hit. A BIG hit. But it's easy to ride - just keep the engine pulling in the middle and it's magic.
jon(#42)
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jon(#42) 4/22/2008 4:27pm
4/22/2008 4:27pm
WhKnuckle wrote:
It's really strong. It has a lot of low-end, and still has a big midrange hit. A BIG hit. But it's easy to ride - just...
It's really strong. It has a lot of low-end, and still has a big midrange hit. A BIG hit. But it's easy to ride - just keep the engine pulling in the middle and it's magic.
lots of wheelies im assuming?Grinning
WhKnuckle
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WhKnuckle 4/22/2008 4:30pm
4/22/2008 4:30pm
WhKnuckle wrote:
It's really strong. It has a lot of low-end, and still has a big midrange hit. A BIG hit. But it's easy to ride - just...
It's really strong. It has a lot of low-end, and still has a big midrange hit. A BIG hit. But it's easy to ride - just keep the engine pulling in the middle and it's magic.
jon(#42) wrote:
lots of wheelies im assuming?Grinning
No, not really. You can lean back and loft it in any gear and any speed, but it never feels excessively front-light. It handles really good in my opinion and it's very easy to control.
jon(#42)
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jon(#42) 4/22/2008 4:35pm
4/22/2008 4:35pm
hmmmmm actually i have a friend that has an old kx500 im not sure what year, but i think ive seen it once. He has some brain damage from it though.Dry
Larry
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Larry 4/22/2008 5:01pm
4/22/2008 5:01pm
The coolest thing about a CR 500 is the sound. There is nothing like it. They turn really well also.
WhKnuckle
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WhKnuckle 4/22/2008 5:06pm
4/22/2008 5:06pm
At the old Rio Bravo track, there was a real fast section with very dense brush and woods on both sides, and the sound was kind of like riding in a canyon or something. It was freakin' AWESOME to go through there in fourth gear and hearing the sound bouncing around in there. When that track closed, it broke my heart - for a lot of reasons.
TerryK
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TerryK 4/22/2008 5:17pm
4/22/2008 5:17pm
WhKnuckle wrote:
It's really strong. It has a lot of low-end, and still has a big midrange hit. A BIG hit. But it's easy to ride - just...
It's really strong. It has a lot of low-end, and still has a big midrange hit. A BIG hit. But it's easy to ride - just keep the engine pulling in the middle and it's magic.
jon(#42) wrote:
lots of wheelies im assuming?Grinning
WhKnuckle wrote:
No, not really. You can lean back and loft it in any gear and any speed, but it never feels excessively front-light. It handles really good...
No, not really. You can lean back and loft it in any gear and any speed, but it never feels excessively front-light. It handles really good in my opinion and it's very easy to control.
My favorite thing about 500's wheelies anytime, anywhere, any distance with just a tug of the bars. I LOVE climbing huge hills and lifting the front wheel about half way up, carrying it over the top. Super fun and people look at you like you are some kind of hero! lol

One time while out play riding, a bunch of guys were trying to climb a big sand hill on 250 2 strokes and 4 strokes but weren't having much luck even with a long run up. I had climbed this hill many times so I rolled up to the base of the hill, stopped, stuck the bike in 3rd and climbed over the top with the front wheel in the air the whole way.

Dudes jaws just dropped! lol

Braaaaappp!
Mutt
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Mutt 4/22/2008 5:40pm
4/22/2008 5:40pm
I'd give my left nut for a CR500AF!
Larry
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Larry 4/22/2008 5:57pm
4/22/2008 5:57pm
Mutt wrote:
I'd give my left nut for a CR500AF!
I will take less for my 85 CR 500.
Junior is out growing his 85 fast and roosts on my 200.
Trinitite
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Trinitite 4/22/2008 6:04pm
4/22/2008 6:04pm
The yz250 I had used to rip my arms out of the socket. I can't really even imagine riding a 500.
babba boey
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babba boey 4/22/2008 6:10pm
4/22/2008 6:10pm
docweedon wrote:
I remember back in the 90's MXA had a 500cc shootout and the headline was something like "Real Men ride 500s!"

I was standing on top of one of the 500s in that picture. It was either 90 or 91.
WhKnuckle
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WhKnuckle 4/22/2008 6:17pm
4/22/2008 6:17pm
Trinitite wrote:
The yz250 I had used to rip my arms out of the socket. I can't really even imagine riding a 500.
It's like a 250 at max horsepower, but the power lasts for about 2500 RPM. The bike I had before my first 500 was a '02 KTM 250SX, which was a VERY fast 250. My 500 powerband was stronger, but mostly it was WIDER and stronger. But it wasn't scary at all, very rideable and very fun. I just started riding my bike in the woods, which I thought would be tough to do. Even with 90 MPH gearing, it's an easy bike to ride in the woods. Just give it a little gas and go wherever you want.

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Trinitite
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Trinitite 4/22/2008 8:02pm
4/22/2008 8:02pm Edited Date/Time 4/22/2008 8:03pm
Trinitite wrote:
The yz250 I had used to rip my arms out of the socket. I can't really even imagine riding a 500.
WhKnuckle wrote:
It's like a 250 at max horsepower, but the power lasts for about 2500 RPM. The bike I had before my first 500 was a '02...
It's like a 250 at max horsepower, but the power lasts for about 2500 RPM. The bike I had before my first 500 was a '02 KTM 250SX, which was a VERY fast 250. My 500 powerband was stronger, but mostly it was WIDER and stronger. But it wasn't scary at all, very rideable and very fun. I just started riding my bike in the woods, which I thought would be tough to do. Even with 90 MPH gearing, it's an easy bike to ride in the woods. Just give it a little gas and go wherever you want.

Ha, I rode a ktm250sx once - it might have been an 02 too - and that was a beast! Brute power. If I could ride that without looping out, then from your post I think I can maybe take a spin on a 500. thanks.
twizzler
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twizzler 4/22/2008 8:28pm
4/22/2008 8:28pm
My next bike is a CR500AF - I can't wait!! 09' baby!!!
AJ
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AJ 4/23/2008 7:05am
4/23/2008 7:05am
twizzler-
you will like the article then..

Wink
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Racer92 4/23/2008 7:16am
4/23/2008 7:16am
Ive ridden Sams 500AF and its a brute. I had no desire to taunt the beast, and carefully ring-dinged around the track and brought it back - my rotator cuffs still intact.

Monster power, thats how I describe it. And a gorgeous piece of machinery as well.
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Big Lenny 4/23/2008 7:23am
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Trinitite wrote:
Ha, I rode a ktm250sx once - it might have been an 02 too - and that was a beast! Brute power. If I could ride...
Ha, I rode a ktm250sx once - it might have been an 02 too - and that was a beast! Brute power. If I could ride that without looping out, then from your post I think I can maybe take a spin on a 500. thanks.
The '02 KTM was the HP king in that class believe it or not Honda was 2nd. When I first started back riding I called on one, Cat said he sold it, the guy who bought it insisted on riding it home and crashed into a parked car on the way...
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docweedon 4/23/2008 10:08am
4/23/2008 10:08am
docweedon wrote:
I remember back in the 90's MXA had a 500cc shootout and the headline was something like "Real Men ride 500s!"

babba boey wrote:
I was standing on top of one of the 500s in that picture. It was either 90 or 91.
Right on! I remember a dude standing on top of the bikes! You are like a living legend.

I think it had the blue YZ490 in that shootout as well. The years seem right , as I remember reading the article when I was living in Hawaii, which was 90-91.
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txmxer 4/23/2008 10:20am
4/23/2008 10:20am
Mutt wrote:
I'd give my left nut for a CR500AF!
I'm just guessing, but I don't think AJ takes body parts for AFs...especially not that part.
G-man
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G-man 4/23/2008 10:24am
4/23/2008 10:24am Edited Date/Time 4/16/2016 6:42pm
Will the madness ever fuckin stop? Go buy your CR500's for chris sakes and race them in a moto & watch all the 450's blow by you.....
twizzler
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twizzler 4/23/2008 10:53am
4/23/2008 10:53am
I'll just protest them if they do.
rockcrawlerdude 4/23/2008 11:20am
4/23/2008 11:20am
Trinitite wrote:
Ha, I rode a ktm250sx once - it might have been an 02 too - and that was a beast! Brute power. If I could ride...
Ha, I rode a ktm250sx once - it might have been an 02 too - and that was a beast! Brute power. If I could ride that without looping out, then from your post I think I can maybe take a spin on a 500. thanks.
Big Lenny wrote:
The '02 KTM was the HP king in that class believe it or not Honda was 2nd. When I first started back riding I called on...
The '02 KTM was the HP king in that class believe it or not Honda was 2nd. When I first started back riding I called on one, Cat said he sold it, the guy who bought it insisted on riding it home and crashed into a parked car on the way...
it was the 03 ktm250sx that was... so if you were impressed with the 02 the 03 would have really ripped your arms out of the socket... when i went looking for a 2 stroke i wanted a strong motor and for the KX it was the 98 , honda was the 01, ktm the 03, yamaha 02+ and zuks were good when they copied the yz in 04? but yea i cant wait to get to ride a 500 just to feel what its all about... i have about 3 more years until i get to lok at buying one... its about the only thing that wants me to hit 40 faster! Laughing
AJ
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AJ 4/23/2008 11:52am
4/23/2008 11:52am
lol G-man..
different strokes..??
I have to ask, what are you basing your conclusions on?

two riders of decent and equal abilty on the two mentioned bikes,
the one on the 500AF certainly is not at any disadvantage.

(fo rsome basis , read this recent MXA article , past Dirt Rider, TransworldMX or MXracer articles , or ride one yourself?)

,,obviousy i'm biased ,and admit it.
i also can ride anything i want,, any color and displacement..and have a decent amount of experience on a lot of different bikes.. so at least have a basis for comparison? Wink
anyway ive lined up for the last decade on a 500AF, and yes the last several years agaisnt 450's.. i'm not skeered they will blow me away..lol
(the particular rider might,,and that's just MX)
and to be honest , a current 450 ,asgood as they are ,
is NOT a bike i would personally choose for mx..
they would be prettty far down the list..
behing the 500AF, the YZ250, RM 250, and behind all the 250 fourstrokes-
in otherwords ,for my tastes,, the 450's would be about last of the current crop..
but then some people like chicken, some like fish.some like bondes ,I like brunettes

and i can ride a 450,
and completely understand why somone might prefer it.
(even if my tastes are different)



Mr Moto-
I have a KX500AFthat might be more appropriae for James Stewart to try out Wink
i'm sure he would be amazing ..(as always)
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Big Lenny 4/23/2008 12:57pm
4/23/2008 12:57pm
rockcrawlerdude wrote:
it was the 03 ktm250sx that was... so if you were impressed with the 02 the 03 would have really ripped your arms out of the...
it was the 03 ktm250sx that was... so if you were impressed with the 02 the 03 would have really ripped your arms out of the socket... when i went looking for a 2 stroke i wanted a strong motor and for the KX it was the 98 , honda was the 01, ktm the 03, yamaha 02+ and zuks were good when they copied the yz in 04? but yea i cant wait to get to ride a 500 just to feel what its all about... i have about 3 more years until i get to lok at buying one... its about the only thing that wants me to hit 40 faster! Laughing
It was the '02, I was looking for a new bike then, and I read all the tests..

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