A old riding buddy of mine had the 87 CR500, (I has this 88 250), and it was a mild engine,-------------until I pinned it. :) I understood the 85 was a brute, and they did mellow them out for the next years. But still, I don't think I would have pinned it very much. I never really gave the 500's much of a chance or got used to them. I think I had missed out some. At 60, got my YZ250 2-stroke finally set up well. I had to do a lot of work to that bike, but for the worst bike I ever bought, it looks to be my best now. Not as fast as this CR on top, but I was shooting for lower rpm power and got it.
I had that bike, raced it for 4-5 years. Cost $3,200, (price already doubled since the 1986 production rule imposed on the USA.). Suspension needed some work. The "Mid 80's" (1988?), were better. Not much low end power, so not great in the trails. But with a little porting (first bike I ported), the stock pipe, and slightly lower gearing, I got a lot of great starts with that bike. Head shake was scary, use stiffer springs to hold the front end up a bit higher. One bolt in the rear linkage would bend, the long one I think. A better grade bolt fixed it for me. That bike took me to a higher level or racing, sans the suspension. I bet race tech or Enzo could do a great job with the suspension with some re-valving, especially the forks. This bike would smoke my 2019 YZ250 2-stroke when it was stock. It may have been the fastest 250 I ever raced. Could have been easier to ride with more low end power though, but the mid-range and top end were stellar. Probably also the best cornering bike I ever had too, with the head shake probably being the draw back. The first "low boy pipe" and lower tank, made it feel about 10lbs lighter than my previous 1986 YZ250. I think it was the first year with the awesome Nikisil (sp) plating in the cylinder, and the rear disk brake. The new cartridge forks were suppose to be awesome, (and we use cartridges today). They just missed the mark for the dampening. Nice bike. Doug in Michigan
Check out the rear suspension linkage bolts. If I remember correctly, it was the long one would bend. A better grade bolt, (not from Honda but same size), fixed that for me.
Have that same bike love it new top end also 63 yrs old still enjoy riding raced an87 cr 500 four yrs a lot milder
Right on!
A old riding buddy of mine had the 87 CR500, (I has this 88 250), and it was a mild engine,-------------until I pinned it. :)
I understood the 85 was a brute, and they did mellow them out for the next years. But still, I don't think I would have pinned it very much.
I never really gave the 500's much of a chance or got used to them. I think I had missed out some. At 60, got my YZ250 2-stroke finally set up well. I had to do a lot of work to that bike, but for the worst bike I ever bought, it looks to be my best now. Not as fast as this CR on top, but I was shooting for lower rpm power and got it.
I had that bike, raced it for 4-5 years. Cost $3,200, (price already doubled since the 1986 production rule imposed on the USA.). Suspension needed some work. The "Mid 80's" (1988?), were better. Not much low end power, so not great in the trails. But with a little porting (first bike I ported), the stock pipe, and slightly lower gearing, I got a lot of great starts with that bike. Head shake was scary, use stiffer springs to hold the front end up a bit higher. One bolt in the rear linkage would bend, the long one I think. A better grade bolt fixed it for me. That bike took me to a higher level or racing, sans the suspension. I bet race tech or Enzo could do a great job with the suspension with some re-valving, especially the forks. This bike would smoke my 2019 YZ250 2-stroke when it was stock. It may have been the fastest 250 I ever raced. Could have been easier to ride with more low end power though, but the mid-range and top end were stellar. Probably also the best cornering bike I ever had too, with the head shake probably being the draw back. The first "low boy pipe" and lower tank, made it feel about 10lbs lighter than my previous 1986 YZ250. I think it was the first year with the awesome Nikisil (sp) plating in the cylinder, and the rear disk brake. The new cartridge forks were suppose to be awesome, (and we use cartridges today). They just missed the mark for the dampening.
Nice bike. Doug in Michigan
Just picked up this same bike! In very good condition with a Pro Circuit pipe! Fixing a few small things and she'll be ready to rip!
Check out the rear suspension linkage bolts. If I remember correctly, it was the long one would bend. A better grade bolt, (not from Honda but same size), fixed that for me.