Posts
938
Joined
5/1/2008
Location
Tamaqua, PA
US
Edited Date/Time
1/26/2012 5:54pm
I've been thinking about making the big buy and was wondering a few things.
1) How is the traction compared to a 250 2 stroke?
2) Does is feel lighter than a 450?
3) How are they to start?
4) Do they vibrate that much?
5) After all the frame mods they do, does it feel like a home made bike or a regular new bike?
6) Are the motors tuned to the retarded 1980's type power or the later mellower power?
I am a +30A rider looking to buy possibly my last bike. I'm pretty much done racing.
Thanks, Dan D
1) How is the traction compared to a 250 2 stroke?
2) Does is feel lighter than a 450?
3) How are they to start?
4) Do they vibrate that much?
5) After all the frame mods they do, does it feel like a home made bike or a regular new bike?
6) Are the motors tuned to the retarded 1980's type power or the later mellower power?
I am a +30A rider looking to buy possibly my last bike. I'm pretty much done racing.
Thanks, Dan D
The Shop
Handling-wise, I've never ridden a 450 that I was real comfortable on, so I just can't compare them. It feels more stable than a 250 two stroke because it has a heavier crank and that's a lot of gyro effect. Most of the 450 riders who've ridden my bike love the way it turns.
Suspension has to be set up for the 500. The newer bikes ('07 and up) are built on a CRF250R chassis and the 500 loads the rear end more than a 250F.
They're as reliable as a rock, start pretty easy (if they're hard to start, my experience is the reed valve is leaking) and very, very fun to ride. Much more fun that a 450 to me, but like I said I never rode a 450 that I really got along with.
Some guys complain about vibration but I don't notice it. My bikes have RG3 top clamps with 4-post rubber bar mounts. You can feel it in the pegs some, but it doesn't bother me. Some guys notice it more.
Overall, they're very, very strong running bikes, handle well, and are super reliable. Oh, and real versatile - my bike is geared for MX and can run 90 MPH.
1. Feels like a very potent 250 two stroke, at least the ported CR500 99 in a CRF450 2007 frame I tested.
2. Similar traction, but the rear wheel of course spun more because of the power.
3. Ok. It fires up quickly, but the compression is not something you just kick while seating, you need to think before you kick if you get what I mean. I had to stand up, and for the first time ever I felt that there's a possibility that you can damage a knee while kicking because of the extra force. But it's not really a problem...
4. Yes, it did vibrate a lot. Not nice.
5. Felt like a regular bike, but this friend of mine is skilled!
6. I dunno.
This is a bike that you have to be very passionate to own and ride. Basically it sux in every damn department compared to a 450. There's no way in Universe any person in the world is faster on this one. When I went back to my CRF250F it felt like being part of evolution right there. So nimble, so perfect in every aspect.
Not all things in life have to be based on sense. The Braaap sound gave me a boner for 40 minutes. That has to be worth some, but don't fool yourself that this pig is going to handle better than a four stroke. There's a reason they stopped building them...
Hey W- Knuckles... I will be over in the Woodlands at thanksgiving... wanna meet up at 3Palms??
Zach
But maybe Honda are fools?
For instance. The CR125 and CR250 use exactly the same frame and subframe. But they had different weld placings on the exhaust subframe area and the cradle was shorter on the CR125. The head stay etc was exactly the same. Not because of strength.
By the way, Honda isn't perfect. Miedoso Racing has found a very huge flaw in their intakes of the 02 and up CR's. Plus the carb selection was crap. Just unplugging their carb to the computer helps. Sure on Dyno's etc they probably say one thing. But anyone who knows the 02 up CR's will tell you somethings are off.
Let's not get started on their choice of electronic valves....
1.if you ride it like a 500, it has way more low end than a 2 stroke 250,,and has better traction , that huge crank helps
they fcan b eahamdfull,but they van also b emellow tractirs,, upt oyour throttle han dand
how they are tuned.
way too many guys tune them to be brutes with light switch power.
2.it IS way lighter than a 450,, about 10 -15 pounds.,
it feels worlds lighter than that even.
it only weighs a couple pounds more than the 250F it is made out of..
.
3.i'm 5'8 145 pounds soaking wet.
i start them al day on kick or two..raced them for ever ,,it isnt a problem.
but it does take technique,
its a big empty coffee can at start up.
s overy lean.
if you kic kit thru slow to "charge the cylinder" it should ligh tin on ekick o rtwo.
if yoiu dont,
youll kick your leg off because there isnt any fuel mixture in the jug to light..
i just starteed one sunday for a buddy,, h ehad kicked for awhile,
i one kicked it in tennis shoes,(stupid but i dint have my boots near)
its not hard to learn.. but if you dont follow a short smal ldrill, ,youll struggle.
actually after its been running ,,just kick it like any other bike. but with "intewnt"
4.at idle any 500 2 stroke vibrates,, big piston, big power ,,non couterbalnced engine.
once yo utake iyt off th estan dand ride, yo udont notice it (and its closer to , or at ,
its balance rpm point ,,so isnt really noticible unoess your really sensitive
at idle though,or reved way out.. absolutely..
5.you cant tell it from new, that's the whole idea.
(and the frame is stronger than OEM)
6.i fyo uorder a stock 500AF, its a stock CR500 enfgine 2001 ewas th lastest year fo rparts,, so iuts a brand "new" 2001 CR500 engine ,hand assembled here.
it comes stock,but
it can be ported for mellower hit,,or smoother transition.
if you ride them a gear high, onbe o fth eeasiest bikes to ride,, all torque.
as a side note: every pr otester that wwe are the magz have teste dwith a trandponder i nalap times ,was faster on a 500AF tha non thier own personal 450's ,,
so while doc sweeden might not get along with them..
it isnt a fact that noone can ride them faster.
im certainly without any doubt faster on my 500,than on a 250F or 450..
also- fo rwhatever reason- i cant ride a 125 to save my life..
different strokes for different folks.
you're welcome to ride mine anytime you want or are in the area.
(illinois/indiana..)
i'll probably be at FVOR or FMX paradise sunday..havnt decided yet..
(i just broke my nose badly yesterday,,and no not on the 500AF)
it's a 500 motor....the power is intense...they will rev to the moon...and then some...not like a 450 that stops at the rev limiter...
It's a 500 motor...they can be a pain to start if you don't kick it like a "man"
Sure...it's dressed up in a newer frame, but a 500cc 2 stroke will always be a beast...no matter what it looks like!
1. Traction with a 120 is outstanding.
2. Does it FEEL lighter than a 450?? Hell yes, it IS 15 lbs lighter. Turns way better than my 07 CRF450. Turns just like my CRF250 (304 actually).....which is what you'd expect being in a 250f frame.
3. Start as easily as a 450f. Easier than a 250f.
4. Sitting in the pits revving the bike, you'll feel bar vibration. On the track, I never notice it.
5. see #2 above. Best turning bike in my stable.
6. Very smooth power delivery. Not the grunt on the bottom of a 450f, but damn fun to ride.
Drop by and you're welcome to take it for a spin. It used to be for sale, but I've decided to keep it for posterity.
Pit Row
It would be great if you could take up AJ on his offer!
i generally have a used one or two for sale,, ,either some on our website,,
or since the webguy is slow at getting them posted ,
typically I have AFs that are not up on the preowned page..
ajwaggoner@servicehonda.com
Mark,, thanks for the pipe!!
i owe you shipping! let me know amount and if you have paypal? or send you a check?
i'm sure there are a few out in Pa,,
but the only one i know of off hand in Pa, is DC's brother Tim Coombs..
but i doubt he'd let you ride it, ,its his *baby*
they sure are reliable
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