KX500 vs CR500 Which bike is better? And lets talk Vintage MX Racing
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- Опубликовано: 23 июл 2024
- Episode #10 - In this episode we test the 94 Honda CR500 against the 1989 Kawasaki KX500!!! who will be the victor you will have to watch and see for yourselves!!!!
We also talk with Shane Cooper about VMX racing in Australia and the Vipers Vintage Motorcycle Club and why some of us should be racing these older bikes.
So Enjoy this episode everyone and as always see you next week!
Cheers Breachy
Vipers Web page - www.viper-mx.com 
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Fun Fact: Both of these bikes are the most badass dirtbikes ever. When they race, neither can lose. So the two extreme forces opposing each other actually generates a rapidly escalating combustion/explosion. That heat and pressure incidentally is applied to the carbon from the exhaust, which turns the carbon into so many huge diamonds that it generates too much gravity, and that actually creates a black hole in the fabric of spacetime.
Your bat shit crazy mate
@@larndelaney7848 Yeah, I reckon thats true.
@@hrbestalkinme3690 lol 👍
What about the yz490
🤣
Both a KX500 2 days ago, 91 engine in a 07 250f frame! BEAST! Kind of a dream come through, came out for sale on Sunday, it was mine on Monday! It's still snowmobile season in northern Sweden so he had not been called yet, between 9 am and 13pm when we first spoke and last spoke on Monday, he had gotten a massive amount of calls about it, to little to late ;)
That would be awesome
Well, I worked for a Kawasaki dealer and bought a Honda to go racing..boss was not amused. Both bikes were quite different initially. In 86 it wasn't much of a comparison as the CR was much better at that time. The Kawis electrofusion liner was VERY sensitive to dirt ingestion and couldn't be bored and at our place they had quite the appetite for fork seals and crank bearings. Overall, at least for first gen... it was all honda. If I knew where to get a 91 or later I would like to have one again.
When Jeremy McGrath decided to go pro his dad went and bought 2 Hondas 👍
Was that the Nickel plating they put on their cylinder walls? Had a old KX250 that I supidly lost one of the fuel line squeeze clips that ended up up in the cylinder about two hours later! Learned all about that, still love my KXs though! Just always have loved their slim feel compared to anything but maybe a little newer YZ.
Nothing like the smell of premix in the mourning!!!!!!!
Castor oil always smelled so nice
Blendzall back in the 70's
I wish there was a class in vintage moto for the bikes of this 90s pre 4 stroke era. And alot of us guys who started riding in these years have now had our families and our kids are old enough to be independant and we now have enough time on our hands again to put time into hobbies like this again
Both great bikes, and heaps of power that most will never use. I've owned quite a few big bore two strokes and loved them all. In my experience, the KX was a bit more "punchy" due to the power valve and the Honda was much smoother, linear power. Great video, and great bikes! Two Strokes Forever!
Me and my Brother always had Kawasaki Bikes, and i also just recently bought Brand New a 2008 KFX 450r Kawasaki Quad. Loved them all. For me it's Kawasaki all the way. I'm sure everyone has there preference, but our KX,s Never left us walking ever.
I've had a lot of bikes raced Huskies, ccms, Yamaha, Honda, cagiva, but never owned a Kawasaki of any description. I did ride a kx 250 a few years back tho and I loved it 👌 wayyyy to old now shot knees, elbows, wrists, back, do I regret it? HELL NO bloke said to me when I was probably your age!,,, when your lying in that bed about to croak you wont wish you never did it !! He was right 🤙
loved this video breachy the quality was crazy good there getting better each episode!!!!! keep it up
I have raced both for many years. Mainly the Honda. I went to #1 in the state of Minnesota Open expert class with the CR back in the day. The CR was Stone reliable and could run it for years with minor rebuilds. I liked the simplicity of the non power valve engine. No valve cleaning! Trust me it had plenty of power. I would start of the gate in 3rd grear a little above idle so it would hook up then roll on the power shift to forth and holeshot many races. The KX would be great if the Track was straight with no turns. Very stable at speed. Coming into a corner hot not sure if it was going to turn or not.. I tried many changes with the forks and rear shock trying to get it to turn decent.. Came to the conclusion you need different triple clamp like the factory guys used to run.. Honda all the way!! For me.
Nice vid .I must have clocked 250 hours on the KX500 maybe a few more. Owned them since '97 my new bike then was the purple seat model, still got got a 45 hour '04 in the shed. They sent me into hospital once or twice but always my mistake. Need to short shift them and remember the brakes were never that good. Happy memories. You can't say you know all about dirt bikes till you've been through the gears on a KX500. Loved that it always pulled the wheel off the ground in a straight line in top gear, given some traction. Magic.
I’m hoping I get to ride them again was such an experience!! Nice change from the 450!!
Both bikes are very capable with the rider making the difference. Neither bike is better than the other, its what you like or dislike about the bike that makes it better for you. Having said that, overall I would give the edge to the CR. The front cartridge forks that came on the 1986 model put this mike on another level and gave it a much better suspension than the KX at that time. I own the 1987 CR500 but would love to have a KX also. No doubt both legendary champions.
Yhes obly better about the kx is that the cr is actually a 485 not a 500cc
Been riding but not anymore the on 500's . The KX500 has always been my bike I started with a new '97 then traded on a new '04. Maybe 2-300 hours. Not sure if the '89 is a any good, it's quite an old bike. Glad I've still got it in my shed. Thanks for the post ....
ive ridden both. the hondas front wheel wouldn't stay down. *#Honda* 💪
Well the KX wouldn't stay down either lol
Same my brother has a 98 cr 135 big bore
Kx is best
the first bike I ever bought was a '94 kx 500.
in at the deep end and all that. loved it.
Steven Rees wish I had bought one at some stage they are so cool 🤙🏼
Has a tear in my eyes watching this epic video. Such memories and pain. Thank you. Million thumbs up. 👍🏻👍🏻
Glad you enjoyed the vid, I had fun making it 👍🏼
I used to have a KX500 and it was a lot of fun. I should never have sold it!
I have ridden and owned both bikes, 1989 kx500 and have a 1993 cr500 that I ride to this day, in my opinion of both in comparison, that kx500 design was more low profile and had more torque and could pull a 4th gear start with a half gone rear tire. (At least mine did). 15-49 gearing. Also it seemed longer than the Honda in wheel base. The geometry of the Kx made the steering more stable and slower.
The Honda cr500 has a more snappy throttle response and (rite now) kind that I like more after ridding both.
Steering is a little faster and wheel base a little shorter, however gearing 15-50 I have to use second to start( transmissions are different gearing)
The Honda can make a little sharper turn than the Kx i think.
I will always like them both no matter what.
It just matters you prefer.
Keep e’m rolling, they will always be (BAD ASS) for there eras no matter how you look at it!
sometimes reading comment can save up sometime instead of watching the video.
ty...havent heard them in loong time but closed eyed i can still tell them apart , i grew up respecting the 500cc's was taught never start one in shoes etc and seen plenty broken legs from kick backs
It's not the point, they're both monsters, super kick ass and anyone that can ride these fast is decent rider. Nervous about riding these is just wisdom kicking in.......
Can totally relate to you guys and all you said. Bloody good video.
Years ago my friend had a kx500. It was so fast and powerful it was scary insane
I had a 1992 kx500 from memory it was one of the first 500s with the power valve, I LOVED it Awsome bike
KX 500 was the only production 500 2stroke with a power valve.
Got a 01 CR500E, had a noticable increase in bottom end/mid range torque changing a Procircuit pipe to a FMF Gnarley.
The CR 94 engine was the same as the CR 89 engine but with wider gear ratios (which is the same as the 01).
I just got my 1987 CR500💨 2009 hybrid🤘🏼 having suspension set up then got to run her in 😁 cant wait.
Nice send me a video when you get it going
Nice send me a video when you get it going
the 94 cr 500 and 250 are some of my favorite bikes.I think Hondas like the fmf pipes better than pro circuit.
100% the rider, how easy you need to be on the controls. My machines last me for years upon years , because I never abuse my machines and always maintain the bike...all items mentioned will last for a long while, except Tires and front brake pads
2 beautiful machines that were born 2 blast !!! Keen vid.👍
Depends what year. The cr came out with the aluminum frame in 97 and that made such a huge difference where kx waited till the 2000s I believe to transition over to aluminum
@@johnniewalker3029 I can understand that probably due to the weight
Nice vid, I've got a green '04 in the shed running V-force reeds and FMF pipes.Big green and, fast and fancy
Craig Butler thanks mate rode at a vintage meet was a few of the big kx500's out there they sound so good
Had a 1994 Honda 250 I kept for about 10 years I wish I had held onto it,great bike and year
I want to be the buried with my 96 CR 500 !
I sold my 96 cr 500 in 99. I'm still crying over it.
The difference in power is mainly in the pipes. My 2000 CR500R has the Pro Circuit pipe. My buddy has a 2001 CR500R with the FMF Fatty pipe and his bike is a torque monster, where mine is a high rever top end power. It's a dramatic difference...
I road registered my 91 kx500 and used it for green laning lol, was a beast! Wonder where it is now, had spes pipe, chromed frame and reg G444SGN.
Great video. Just picked up a 1989 KX500 for restoration. Good to hear that it was a good choice.
TNT Moto was a fun bike to ride hey, plenty of grunt!
Have not rode it yet. Test on the track when it stops raining here.
what and you needed a youtube vid to clarify that for you 🤔
You've got a beast bud. Enjoy it carefully
The CR500R engine was a copy of the Maico 490 engine. In 1983, the Maico 490 Sand Spider ran rings around the KX500. The whole issue here, is on that tight track, the pro circuit pipe won't let the CR get into its powerband. The KX has an FMF torque pipe. If you were on a track with big straight aways, or out in thr desert, that CR with the Pro Circuit pipe would walk away from that KX all day long.
They both have enough power to either spin or lift the front wheel on any MX track regardless of the pipe or how long that straight away is.
Even my 450 pulls power wheelies anywhere in 3rd gear, that's about 50mph and still lifting the front.
Kx500 has a power valve, cr500 just runs off exhaust port timing. It makes sense the kx has a more usable powerband
This almost makes me miss my 95 CR500. Right up to the point I saw him getting the beat down in the whoop section. Bikes all swapping ends. Much of that and you get tired which leads to throttle mistakes. Bad news on these!!
turbolq4 yeah 20 plus sand whoops after a days rain on a 500 was a little sketchy
Had a KX 500 and loved it. Never had a CR 500 but let’s be honest, they won everything for years and the KX never one anything in MX. The CR is a better bike. Maybe the KX is better for desert as it did well there. Proof is in the pudding. Love them both.
MXDN Jeff Ward kicked ass on KX500
Jeff ward and ron lechien would disagree
89 & 90 Ward was the mx national champ in the 500 class.
It's an even flow thing of who has the rider(s) & luck as far as good starts & no mechanicals.
Older 2 strokes are AEWSOME! I love my 19 81 KDX 175. Oh yesh
The 2 stroke 500s...... 👍👍 Very definition of, "dont know what ya got, till they're gone"..... At least from OG MXers....
Both of these are legends.... Definitely each have their own advantages..... Love either one.
I like how people turn them into supermoto's. Id like to do that and experiment on the gearing to get a higher top speed, get another set of wheels and street tires to swap out when i want to ride dirt or street, and rip it down a highway to see what i can get it to do.
Got a '96 CR & a '97 KX. Like em both, but have more seat time on the CR. CR turns tighter & revs like a 125. KX is more straight line stable and revs a bit slower. Its scalpel VS sledgehammer.
I always say get rid of the wife and keep the bike.
Trade her in on a new model ;)
Just incase you guys didn’t know, the 1989 KX 500 came with conventional forks....not upside down forks. Any chance your riding a 1990?
260 hours plus on a KX500 , they're a great bike. Thanks for the post. Had a new KX500 since '97. Still got my '04. Go well.
love both my 96 cr500 and 96 kx500 but i put my kx500 motor in a 98kx250 body love that bike
Jasonkx500 that would be nice 👍🏼
It's the kips valve on the KX that helps harness the power
Kips gives a nice smooth delivery
I have ridden both of these widow makers and they both have their unique qualities. The CR500R takes the cake though...slightest braaap and you're either ripping or dripping! The KX500 seems to be quicker and has a longer power range...those will stand up in any gear without trying!
My nutty buddy has a CR500R motor in his 2003 Suzuki RM250 frame...the death wobble on a serious widow maker is freaky! This thing is nuts...I love it and hate it! It scares the shit out of me but I can't not ride it when we go out...even though I tell myself I am not going to ride it again!
I had two CR500s and I now have a 2003 KX500 and I prefer the KX. The motor is amazing and does feel atronger but more useable than either CR500 I had.
Hey dude, how do you like your 03 KX500? I just rebuilt one, same year. So far, I F'n love it! Just dialing it in now, though, going through the carb varying the jets. I'm at about an 1850 elevation, ride also up to about 2500 elevation, so I'm going to try and run a 162 m, 55 sj, #7 tv, N82M nj, pro circuit II pipe-304 silencer, 2 turns out for air, and VForce Reeds. Vibrates a bit, too. Can you give me any insight and or advice? Love this bike, but I've also got the 250 and my son has the 125. All 2003. We're a KX family, but mom's on the KLX110.
@@craigbourke1271 I have done nothing with the KX jetting wise since it is near perfect. That said I take the same approach for all bikes - start at stock jetting and read the engine signs ie. Surging on decel = lean, bubber = rich. I watch where in the throttle opening this happens and relate that to pilot, main jets or needle. The plug can tell a good story too if it is read properly. It is trial and error like cooking without a recipe but patience does pay off. I love the 03 KX500 - it is the bike I will ride for a long time.
@@darkmelody9300 Yea, right on. You're on the money with the "surging on decel. . . ", I had it jetted way too lean and it was surging-just off the throttle and it would rpm up, then down, subtle, but that's what it was doing. So, I've gone up for both the MJ and the PJ, and I'll test it there for a minute and keep working the jets til' it feels and runs just right. Agreed that this is the bike I too will be riding for a while. Giving my son my 250. Thanks, again.
Fyi these old two strokes love 50/50 vp 110 or c12 and pump gas with motul 800t at 40to1 no blubbering clean and crisp old two stroke love higher octane and lead pump gas with cause detonation unless cut with race fuel if you run 100% race fuel you'll need more compression.
Great vid love to see these pared up to my 91 KTM 540 dxc
Phil Platts thanks Phil 👍🏼
Could be organised phil
Those 80s 2 strokes are wicked so it dont surprise me the Kx had more power.
i feel the same, prefer the kx motor but the cr frame
Shane Cooper has good taste in bikes ;)
+Shane Cooper he sure does
tricky because it seems like comparing apples and oranges. You need bone stock or genuine works bikes from same years. But this was fun. Keep up the vids!
Eric Anderson hard to get the same condition, era etc these days but was an absolute pleasure to ride these even though it had rained all morning would love to ride them on an open track and a bit more time on them!
And thanks plan on doing some new vid soon 👍🏼
Two awesome bikes!
Curious on how much untapped potential 2-strokes have. Look at the 500cc 2-stroke NSR by Honda it was over 200hp of insanity!
Probably plenty more ponies, might make riding them on tracks/trails near impossible 🤣🤣🤣
@@zigglebuzz having too much power is like having too pretty of a girl.
@@joeyholthusen6495 hahahaha true true
my first bike was a XR 80 as well but im only 24
My children grew up on a 78 xr80...still have it....from Wyoming USA 🔫🤠
Got an '04 KX500 48 hours , three hundred hours on the big green in total . Pussycats , just short shift them, be sensible and, enjoy the ride. Nice to have the wheel come up in top gear when you're not expecting it.
Better at what ,eating chains,sprockets, brakes,tires,dirt,both do all that well,it's mostly the rider regardless of machine,
I've been to cooperland it's awesome
my bro is going to race vmx down near or just past Pakenham with a 93 kx250 and I'm guessing u just scored that cr500 as that is only legal from this year forward?
Im Kawasaki all day but the crs in the 90s were the best looking before the frame change
The Kips valve is the difference
Handling kX has tighter fork rake it’s better in tight track .
Here in the desert of so cal, the Cr was a preferred moto bike and the kawi was a better desert bike, little longer wheel base and faster on top. I'm a Honda guy so it don't matter, hehe.
The power surge! Blast from the past
Have rode both and still own a 01 cr500 ,both have more hp than required but the cr's engine is much simpler to maintain without power valves and nikasil bores which make rebuilds less complex and cheaper, I flick a set of rings in every 250 hrs they still have plenty of meat on them takes a couple of hours and 120 aussie dollars with gaskets
I used to rebuild my Kx every month with about 18 dollars US currency. Ring and Gaskets were all you needed! Being a Works Pro Circuit bike it ate clutch baskets/covers and gears like you wouldnt believe! And No, I was never that Good! Just happen to buy it used from a Pro that put it up for consignment.
Just say it brother. Those 2 strokes for fun factor are off the charts.
How did it turn?
Nice bike's. I still rather the mid 90's early 2000 look of bikes. Late model bike's don't have good flowing lines like the old one's do. 2 strokes for life.
Yes the kx has more midrange power, the kawis 4 and 2 stroke have always had a more continuous power curve whereas the Hondas love to scream with what I call a more "fuck yeah" type power
I'm to old to be an MX star these days and I was an average MX rider in my day. However, I still own a 1984 Honda CR500 so I know what big bore 2strokes are all about. Having said this, it would have been great to see someone who actually had a bit of a clue riding these weapons because they weren't being ridden to even a fraction of their potential.
Great vid btw !
Thanks
Both bikes are legends but i like red over green so give me the CR, plus its newer so thats a bonus. But id take either bike for rear, for real.
Amante Apasionado hey mate I’d love either as well would love to get them out in a bigger track when it hasn’t been raining all day!
Kx a bit more prime , cr got more strength both are my favorite dirt bike but i always stick on CR and never had these crank shaft broken , especially for smaller engine bikes , KX crank shaft is too much fragile, all kx owner i knew had theyr crank shaft busted , except on the KDX (enduro) seems more solid.
I have a 1992 CR 500 the Big Bore Kit 535 vforce 3 reeds hot rod crank ported and Polished gnarly pipe my bike goes back to the Future
The KX is the better bike for sure...for one thing its faster.
However the CR its a beast and a great bike as well.
And the Suzuki DR 500s?
All I'm saying if you want power for it being a four stroke the xr200 and xr600 or xr650
Sorry, but there was no power in any of those bikes! When you get up to the 600S, maybe because bulk over ruled power and they are a handful!
That Shane guy rocks!
What kind of number plate is on that cr?
Unsure mate sorry, not my bike
I dont own a cr500. But i do own a 1994 CR250r.
What a f*cking rocketship.
Bikes were awesome from this period
ya don't think the "ohlins shocks" would make any handling difference?
Make both the KX and the CR into "Supermoto" and then you will really have tons of fun .
hey man not sure if ur just starting the channel but u got lots of potential im apart of a channel called Quad Ricers we jus hit 20k subs you will be there in no time great editing too!!!
Quad Ricers Gasman big fan of the channel I’m actually picking up a 1986 cr500 soon and it’s got that billstien suspension 👌
The Gasman it's got that bill Stein suspension! check ☑
The Gasman that kx had that bill stine suppinsion
The Gasman give it a ✔️
The Gasman I know you from the ricers good luck on your rm
KX hands down especially if you want power even till today Kawasaki still tops the list imo.
I’ve owned both the kaw delivered more rideable power
I'M a Yamy Man but I prefer the Kawi
The yz490 rides the best,i had the 84 model,it was the best for me.Had the 1989 cr500, boring and flat the kx wakes up much better
BikeRidinManiac my stepfather just to have a yz 465 in the early 80s and he gave me for present a kx 80 1981 , god bless the 2 strokes , saludos desde mexico 👍🏻
If you put a Crf 450 coil at the cr500 it will start better
Meb or hp1 coil
You to own one when I was 17 and just south of 100lbs. LOL.
im 51 the cr 500 red motor super fast bike air cooled it really was so fast id get flat tires haha
Got damn coop!!!✊✊💪💪✔💯🔝🤣🤣🤣
Both bikes are beast. Both bikes will rip your arms off
Id say there nice to ride once you get them started lol
Tyson676 the Honda took awhile....but the kwaka started pretty easily though
kawi all the way!
meh. first lean it over, then bring it to tdc, and kick it.
M773 I agree I got a 86 cr 500 no more than 5 kicks cold and never more than 2 when it's hot and I'm a smaller guy
I have an 88 's 5hundee been molded 93 500 forks wheel 19 inch rear has wesico Bowden power valve pro circuit works pipe handles better with newer forks friend of mind had o1 Honda his bike seemed way faster.love my 's kx just turned 55 10 days ago ill never get rid of her be riding the hundee thru the halls of the nursing home when I get there.with my hospital gown on backwards my ads hanging out.
I got a cr and I've ridden the kx and the kx is more steady power but that don't mean less power the cr is faster for sure it's got all the low end same as the kx but it hit hard like 5th on rode you better bump the power band 1 time before you git in it hard
a 1984 KX 80 when I was 11
Shoot outs are great but give us tech info too: frame type and metal, diameter of fork and damping, same for rear. Engine : how many hours before ring / piston replacement and how well is the bottom end built, is there 'Maping ' technology? Look, I'm an old 70-90's wrench head, but I love tech info. It's informitive. By the way, 5 years difference is a big deal so this was more subjective than objective. Whatever.
What up with the ally fuel tank on the KX?
Custom build hard to get tanks in Oz there’s a local Manafacturer. From memory it’s also a 89’s factory look as well.
@@zigglebuzz very nice👍 I need one for my tri z
Mid-late 80's CR500'S best years before HONDA de-tuned power/compression.
Robert B 86-87 were the short rod years more torque I think
My dream supermoto bikes.. someone do that conversion please.
Now that would be awesome
What "vs" ?
I read somewhere a while ago that the CR500 has more power; but because of that, more wheel-spin. Anybody confirm what I read?
WRider41 yeah I can I've I've ridden both and on the road cr is hard to hang on to the kx feels more lazy and steady where my cr feel like the rug got pulled out from under you that don't make 1 Les than the other but I'd bet on the cr
YZF51 I have a cr500 af and it's faster than any of the crf rmz or kxf 450s I've ever owned. Yes it spins the wheel but it will pull your hands off the bars if you try and twist it like a regular 2 stroke
The kx500 had fmf which is a bottom end to mid range pipe. The cr500 had a pro circuit which is a top end pipe put a fmf gnarly on the cr500 loads of bottom end then.
Nah the kx500 has a powervalve so it’s gonna have more low end
@@albertjankins2225 that's what I said bottom end to mid range.