It has a membrane-and-power-valve assembly, with the piston displacement at 491.4 cm3 (29.9 cu-in). Power comes from a 2-stroke, liquid-cooled (air-cooled during the bike’s incoming year), single-cylinder engine with a bore-stroke ratio of 89 x 79 mm (3.5 x 3.1 inches). Conversely, keep your focus on the road, and the Honda CR500 is guaranteed to exceed your expectations. Miss out one of the three requisites, and this 500-cc 2-stroke can easily turn into an unforgiving beast that will bite you. Putting one leg over this mean machine entails bravery, strength, and skill at all times. And this is where the bike’s test of courage begins. Bringing out the bike’s full potential was simply a matter of the rider’s skills matching the two-wheeler.īecause the CR500 is faster and heavier than your average dirt bike, the result of riding it is like a double-edged sword. Many riders deem the Honda CRF450R faster than the CR500 when, in reality, the CR500 top speed is 93 mph (150 km/h) versus the former’s 87 mph (140 km/h). That said, the bike’s prowess was never fully appreciated, to the extent that even its top-speed rating was undermined. The CR500 would have unanimously ranked first in every motorcycle publication if not for one major flaw – it is a machine biased towards the more skilled, advanced rider. The Jekyll-Hyde Persona: A Badge of Courage The CR500 was highly adored for its power and price – at $2,598 and with a claimed CR500 horsepower of 59 hp (43.4 kW), consumers were guaranteed a sweet deal and got more than their money’s worth. This 491-cc brute was not only the big brother of the CR250R but also the “Ping King” (thanks to its air-cooled introductory model). If you would ask the staff of, the Honda CR 500 tops the list of the best 2-stroke dirt bikes of all time – alongside other reputable dirt monsters like the Husqvarna CR125, Yamaha YZ125, Kawasaki KX500, and Honda’s very own CRF450R. If you think you are up to the challenge, continue reading this guide and learn more about this burly machine both feared and loved. But they made for the kind of explosive power that the most talented riders can only tame. These figures may not be that impressive by today’s standards. It also had a top speed of 93 mph and 67.6 hp at its peak.Īdditionally, it offered a maximum torque of 72.2 Nm (53.3 lb-ft) 6,000 RPM. It was arguably the most powerful open-class motorcycle of its time, featuring an air-/liquid-cooled CR500 engine, dual disc brakes, and cartridge-type suspension. The CR500 was a 491-cc MX-style dirt bike Honda produced from 1984 to 2001. This article will cover some fascinating tidbits about this legendary dirt bike. But for the savvy enthusiast, there is more to this chunky two-wheeler than brute strength and rip-your-face-off speed. After all, this unchanging 500-cc behemoth already inherently possesses all the power and reliability coveted by other dirt bike categories. Disclosure: We may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.įor non-open-class riders, the Honda CR500 may seem like a bore.
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