It makes no sense. I don't care. I want this.

[Duken4evr]

The new 450s are better. I want it anyway. It is for sale over at the FZ1 forum







Yep, it is a 2008 Service Honda CR500.

[BikePilot]

yep to all of the above (only I'd only want one if I had dunes near by I think and in that event I'd rather the kawak version for its much superior motor). Service honda does some fantastic work I owned two CR500's. They make good power, but the surprisingly narrow rev range (the KX is much better with its power valve equipped cylinder) and the havoc they bring on a chassis (that's a lot of steel spinning around) make them one of the slower means of scooting around a MX track or most trails. Still not much that can hang with one in the dunes though

[Duken4evr]

Yes, there is no functional reason to own this. I just like the smell of 2 stroke exhaust and that big bore 2 stroke sound. Nothing like it.

The Yamaha I owned was pretty effective in the open CA desert though. I used to wind it out in the fast bits and could feel the stability of the bike increase with the revs. Tight stuff? Short shift it and use the ample bottom end so the damn thing would turn. Best of all, 3rd gear and into the throttle on a long gnarly rocked out hacked out dez climb with the rear churning and the front carrying a low 6" off the ground wheelie most of the way up the hill was a near religious experience No wonder I eventually had to replace 3rd gear. I went faster on the '87 CR250 I had before (best trail bike I ever owned), but I simply loved the big dog open classer

Funny thing is, the competition mid bore 4 stroke truly are better. Spent some time on a WR450 last summer - stupid power over a broad swath of revs that a CR500 could only dream of, direct steering and while not feather light by any means, it is worlds lighter than my DRZ of course. I really do need to move on to the Blue bike someday.

Oh well. No way I would buy that Service Honda. If funds were unlimited, I would own it for the sheer hell of it though.

[BikePilot]

I'm with you on all points there I would seriously consider buying or building one (well, a green one) if I lived anywhere near sand dunes though

I think you would like one of the newer 450cc machines. I'd lean toward a full MX version though if you don't need to put it on the street. Saves a fair bit of weight and the hassle of de-restricting/de-smogging the beast - also generally a bit cheaper on the used market

I've been hearing a lot of good things about the KLX/KFX450 - need to take a spin on one. I've been on the YZF400, 426 and 450. All great bikes too, especially the 450. The CRF450 to me feels a bit lighter and perhaps better suspended than the YZF I rode, but neithe was setup for my weight so hard to say for sure. Then there's also the Husqvarna offerings which have a 6spd gearbox.

[TLR-Billbo]

this is where the fun is at

before:


after

[Puppet]

I just finished machining the last engine mount for my KX500/CRF450 beast. Getting closer to putting it together. There is alot of small details to take care of, the frame-work was the easy part!
As for Joshes concerns, most of the terrain around here is more open stuff, you have to search out tight stuff where the beast might not be in order.
I figure if I scare myself silly I can just sell the thing and make some $$$.

Tim

[BikePilot]

I don't think you'll have problems with scareing yourself silly - they are actually quite easy-to-ride bikes (just hard to ride really fast in most conditions imho) and the power can be great fun

I'm sure the modern chassis makes them much easier to ride, but I suspect almost anyone would turn faster laptimes on a CRF250R (wide open desert/dunes excepted of course). The big motor does make a good platform for more relaxed riding in some ways as there's not as much need to shift or keep the motor in a certain rev range. Just put it in 3rd or 4th gear, twist and go. 3rd and 4th were all I used to scoot around Budd's Creek on my CR5's (including the start).