Looking for an honest comparison of CR500 vs XR650R

[Aurora]

Looking for an Honest comparison of CR500 vs XR650R.

I have a XR650R. Not going to sell it.

Now I am considering a newer (1997-2001) CR500 as a third bike. I don't need it but it would be a fun bike to be stupid on.

Is this a bike for the local Motocross track?

Maybe even try and plate the CR500 in AZ.

Can you say Motard?

So, if anyone has any input on this subject please post. Im looking for your honest opinion on all aspects of the CR500.

Thx,

Bob

[Ryanthegreat1]

I am in the market for another supermoto and would like a good honest comparison of the two as well.

I am sort of leaning towards the CR500 just for the ease and cost of rebuilds. I know they are probably more frequent but much easier. Also there is that whole "what the hell is that" when you pull up next to a cager.

Don't get me wrong I am a 4 stroke guy from day one but the replacing valves and adjusting. bleh. I guess with multiple bikes they will all have fewer hours which means less time wrenching?

[danny v]

I just bought a XR 600 R,plated 2 mos. ago. I use it as my scooter ! It is a great bike. I am old school CR 125s - 500s, from the late 70s. It is how you want to use it. If I could put the CR on the street I would do it in a heart beat ! The XR needs you to roll the throttle so i am learning the way of riding it. The CR is OFF/ON, flys well,much more narrow to saddle i'm 5'8" /180 lbs. the weight is just not there on the CR ! Maybe on a long desert race the XR would be a better bet,but if you like quick shots out of the hole,flying and the skinny go CR. You can port the CR and do head work and IMHO the XR will never catch it-----Untill it blows up !!!! Not if,---WHEN !!! It won't last long,but it is one hell of a ride The CRs are much easier to work on ( I think ) but i am partial to the CRs. My XR 600 R is new to me and it is different to ride with the hesatation down low,no hard hitting the throttle fast. However I am finding that you Point the front fender,hit it and the XR is there !! you just hope to hell you are on it when it arrives To be fair i still am into the CRs more than the XRs but in fairness to the XRs i have very little riding time on the XRs but they are a great bike as well. The thing is to be honest with yourself and ask your self where are you going to ride the most and your riding style.The XR is more forgiving in the woods,trails,log hopping etc. The CR will load up much faster,The XR will hold its idle much longer,though some say the XRs are hard on sparkplugs. The bottom line is the CRs like to go out and screem !!!! OFF/ON .The power band on the XRs is much more workable and not such a fight to be OFF/ON The draw back on the XRs for me is the money and time needed in the motor when it is time to rebuild. VALVES AND ADJUSTMENTS,CAMS,ROCKER ARMS,TIMING CHAINS ETC. The more moving parts the more chance of failure. The best thing is to have one of each ! here in california it is becoming a real pain to have a 2 stroke. I don't know enough about the XRs yet to make a good call however realize the two bikes are night and day / appels and tomatos ! They are both great for there intended purpous and they are both honda !! Good luck keep us posted if you pick up the CR

Danny V

[Denn10]

WELL dont say newer CR500 cuz thats not the case, 500s were the same for oh shoot about the last 8 or so years they were built, just some little minute changes and BNG for the new year, SO there suspension prolly isnt on the level of a newer R. They are easier on the wallet and time for maintenance. They are both big power makers the CR just makes it cheaper, you dont need a pipe but a pipe/silencer and your set for power on the CR. CR500 for supermoto WOW can be done for sure but belive me as for a person who tried SM on a YZ250 i sure wish i was on a 4T, they are by far out numbered at SM tracks BUT there are poeple that straigh haul the mail on a 2T.

Ive had many 80/90s CRs and ridden 500s so im not biased but if you already have a R then id say stay with it and maybe save up as the CR for a 2nd bike. There not that expensive. For SM thats a decision that has to be yours as you will have to ride it CR500 or say a Yami 400/426 that you can prolly get both around same price for $1500 ish maybe.

[Denn10]

LOL typing at same time eh Danny

[weskc35k]

I sold my last CR500 and it was one of the worst mistakes i have ever made.

I bought my CRF450 so i could put a CR500 motor in it,but it never happened the CRF is a 500 but it's still a 4 stroke.

Both bikes (XR/CR) shine at high speed the nod going to the XR.

The CR is better in the tight of course.

I have a ball on my XR but i still miss the 5 hunjee.

If you can afford an AF500 ,do it.

[BBA]

I say go for it Aurora! I did the exact same thing but with the CR250R instead of the 500. My main Dualsport bike is a plated XR650R and I also have an KTM and wanted the 250 as a third bike. I must say that I now ride the CR (wish it were plated) more than the other two. If your looking for a nice CR500 check out Craigslist of Las Vegas. There were a few really nice ones on there forsale at a good price.

[dezracerE]

CR500- sand dunes and tight desert.

XR650- wide open desert and dual sport. (good all day comfort)

Nice stable to have both.

I opted for a 450x-modded properly- probably quicker in the tight desert- puts the power down much better- IMO.

[martinfan30]

if it were me, and i knew i could plate it, CR500 all the way!

[Motosprtman]

One is supersonic (CR500) the other is subsonic. (XR_R)

[chainslack]

I would like to know more about plating an off road only bike in Arizona.

I was able to apply for title back in 2002 via VT. I sent my mso & the VT paper work. Back came a tag & registration for an 02 650xr. All I did was transfer it to a FL tag & title. VT stopped this a few yrs ago.

Steve

[FORMA MOTO]

Well, I guess I am the voice of dissent: I wouldn't reccomend the CR500. I own a CRF450X fully modded, a XR650R edlebrock, and have ridden several CR500's.

The 500:

- too much vibration

- old ergos and seat position

- funky front forks and front brake

- very little aftermarket parts available

- chamber is bothersomely in the way

- loads of fun

The XR650R:

- Heavy, but suprisingly agile

- Very, very stable at high speed

- Wide range of motor and suspension tuning mods available

- with the right carb, it has viturally no hesitation off idle.

- signs off early on the top-end.

The CRF450X:

- with the right motor and suspension fine tuning, it does everything the above does, but not quite as stable as the XRR above 70 mph, and is MUCH LESS FATIGUING.

- fantastic ergos and suspension

- fantastic motor/throttle response: truly amazing

- much more stable in the choppy terrain than any other bike (under 70)

- I have had no motor issues in 380 hours of use. All stock.

[absynth01]

Well for my 260lb ass, and my old school riding, the CR500 is still the machine for me. I've got a 650R uncorked and L built. I also have a CR500 and XR600R both done up. My favorite ride is the 650l for exploring more casually. The L and R are close for speed and HP, but that is because I've gotten into the motor on the L. Now the CR is a different game. Running a drag race in decent dirt, the CR beats the 650R. That is even with my 160lb buddie riding it®! We went at it all day (CR,XR600R,XR650R). There was not a huge difference only maybe a tire length between the CR and 650R. The XR600 lagged about a bike length with a 220lb rider. Get that CR on pavement and it pulls harder than the 650r noticeably. End of year road burnouts, the CR lays a much longer patch. I did notice on a technical hillclimb, the CR just blasted up. The XR650R kept pulling the wheel near the top where there was a bunch of roots. The CR just roosted all the way and chewed through the roots with no wheel pull, same tires, and a heavier rider on the CR. I don't understand why peeps think a 4 stroke with compareable cc's will beat a 2 stroke. The CR always pisses off my BRP and L buddies. I will say on a track, a 250 or 125, will clean up the bigger bikes. MX/SX is a whole different game. If you want to cover all riding types, buy the 500 to add to your collection. I'm older now and the CR has hurt me a plenty, but what a ride it is!!!!!!

[absynth01]

Well, I guess I am the voice of dissent: I wouldn't reccomend the CR500. I own a CRF450X fully modded, a XR650R edlebrock, and have ridden several CR500's.

The 500:

- too much vibration

- old ergos and seat position

- funky front forks and front brake

- very little aftermarket parts available

- chamber is bothersomely in the way

- loads of fun

The XR650R:

- Heavy, but suprisingly agile

- Very, very stable at high speed

- Wide range of motor and suspension tuning mods available

- with the right carb, it has viturally no hesitation off idle.

- signs off early on the top-end.

The CRF450X:

- with the right motor and suspension fine tuning, it does everything the above does, but not quite as stable as the XRR above 70 mph, and is MUCH LESS FATIGUING.

- fantastic ergos and suspension

- fantastic motor/throttle response: truly amazing

- much more stable in the choppy terrain than any other bike (under 70)

- I have had no motor issues in 380 hours of use. All stock.

I agree, suspension and comfort are the key. My '87 CR is old school and not very comfortable-thats why I have 650 twins(L and R). I reserve the CR for "play" riding and hill climbs. Not the machine to do 600+ mile weekends!!!

[Maximus86]

the XRR would be a better streetbike

although you probably would havea bigger grin on your face on the 500

but still-top speed wise-the XR will have the edge

[weskc35k]

This is not an XR V CR thread,he's got an XRR and is keeping it.

It's about having another bike in the stable.

The 500 is a great bike but shows it's age a little bit these days.

If you want a bike that excites ones senses a CR5 hundy is a good bet.

[BWB63]

You get about 10rwhp more and a lighter bike with the CR500R, The steel frame CR5's are a lot more confortable to ride then the AF bikes that buzz real bad and numb your hands in minutes. Mr. Lewis has and AF bike with rubber mounts, risers, Flexx Bars with damping inserts and it is easy on the hands. If money is not an issue you can make a XR650R have just as much or more power then a tricked out CR500R but, you will always have the weight of the Big Red Pig. The CR500's are a lot more fun. CR5's are claiming 58.88hp at the rear wheel; with a ported cylinder and a fmf pipe and silencer! Stock is 62~64bhp (at the crank) and about 52rwhp. Both the XR650R and CR500R hit the rev limiter at about 8,200rpm

[absynth01]

the XRR would be a better streetbike

although you probably would havea bigger grin on your face on the 500

but still-top speed wise-the XR will have the edge

Its all gearing. I could put a 30 some tooth on the CR and beat a stock geared 650 top speed. I run a 14-45 on my CR and topped at 98mph. 650r same gearing 104 mph. 600 R same gearing 101mph. Same gearing for the L and have not GPS'ed it yet. I'm assuming the same speed as the R because of the final drive ratio being the same. Same pirelli's on all except the CR. I think I can get a little more out of the BRP, maybe 106-108 ish on a cool day. I'll never forget Bonneville flats where they were running 80CC's going well over 100 mph. They do need a push and a lot of clutch to start though.

[Kyron]

I had my 95 CR500 dual sported ....... after about 30 min on the road you begin to realize that it makes a very crappy street bike. Even with smoother dual sport (50-50 tires) it still viberated to much.

I still have my CR500 and love it, but I bought a XR650L for longer rides.

IMO a 4stroke makes a better motard bike also

*** Its very freakin easy to street register a dirtbike here in AZ ...... the MVD (dmv) dosnt care if you have a "kit" .... thats between you and a LEO

[FZ1426]

I had my 95 CR500 dual sported ....... after about 30 min on the road you begin to realize that it makes a very crappy street bike. Even with smoother dual sport (50-50 tires) it still viberated to much.

I still have my CR500 and love it, but I bought a XR650L for longer rides.

IMO a 4stroke makes a better motard bike also

*** Its very freakin easy to street register a dirtbike here in AZ ...... the MVD (dmv) dosnt care if you have a "kit" .... thats between you and a LEO

Bingo. Two strokes make very crappy street bikes. CR500's are also very difficult to ride on motocross tracks. There is such a thing as too much power, especially on a track. You have to focus so much on throttle control that it just slows you down and diminishes your ability to relax and go fast.

Having said all that there is nothing more fun to ride (in the proper conditions)than a CR500. I'll never forget the day my friend was topped out on a desert road on his XR600R and I passed him (off the side of the road), in the whoops, riding a wheelie on my CR500. Nothing like it.