How competative is the CR85

[mx-4-2]

How competative is the CR85. I know they are an older design and we have a CRF150RB that we are racing in supermini. My son is fairly new at this and the 85 class is a better fit. We ride Honda's and I would really rather stick with the CR 85 even though it's a few years dated but I would like to know if I am saddling him with an uncompetative bike. What are the strenghts and weaknesses? Are there any changes from 2005-2007?

Thanks.

[JMC]

My son races a stock 06' in the fair circut, 85 c class (10 to 15 yr. old) and mini open (7-11yo). He does well on it running in the top 3-4 every race out of 11-17 racers in the c and 2-3 in the open out of 7 -13 racers(sandbaggers in the c class:banghead: ) He does well on the starts but still can't seem to hang w/the KTM's which are running at the top of the pack here in all the 85 classes. The tracks are mostly super cross style, tight and full of doubles and triples. I am planning on staying w/the cr next year but I will bump up the power and do the suspension (again I think the ktm have a slight advantage here too) As for the 150's around here on this circut they don't come close to a 85 and have to ride the super mini too. Any way toss some cash at it and it will be fine anywhere, heck even saw a 85 Kaw & 85 Suz rider doing good, did I mention they went to KTM? IMO it is mostly the kid in the 85 class not so much the bike. My son is 11 racing against some 15-16 year olds so I take that into account too. Good luck:thumbsup:

[mx-4-2]

My son races a stock 06' in the fair circut, 85 c class (10 to 15 yr. old) and mini open (7-11yo). He does well on it running in the top 3-4 every race out of 11-17 racers in the c and 2-3 in the open out of 7 -13 racers(sandbaggers in the c class:banghead: ) He does well on the starts but still can't seem to hang w/the KTM's which are running at the top of the pack here in all the 85 classes. The tracks are mostly super cross style, tight and full of doubles and triples. I am planning on staying w/the cr next year but I will bump up the power and do the suspension (again I think the ktm have a slight advantage here too) As for the 150's around here on this circut they don't come close to a 85 and have to ride the super mini too. Any way toss some cash at it and it will be fine anywhere, heck even saw a 85 Kaw & 85 Suz rider doing good, did I mention they went to KTM? IMO it is mostly the kid in the 85 class not so much the bike. My son is 11 racing against some 15-16 year olds so I take that into account too. Good luck:thumbsup:

Thanks JMC!!! Excellent input.

[CR125HAYDEN]

We raced a 06 CR85 for a year, and it ran great, it was competative with all of the other 85"s. We used it as a trail bike now and race 2 RM-85s.

I think they are all really close performance wise. The Honda was the most reliable for sure. The Honda had more top end and the Suzuki's are better at the low end with their power valve, so it is kind of a wash.

CR125HAYDEN

[Firedan532]

My kid races a cr85 and does well with it. The first thing you need to do with it is go 1 tooth higher on the rear sprocket. This pulls it out of the hole quicker. They also are jetted from the factory very rich, so you have to work with the jetting on them. Suspension is the most important item money should be spent on. When your kid is not taking a beating on his bike he will go faster. This is just my opinion.

[mx-4-2]

Thanks CR125 and Firedan. Now on to the search for a good late model CR85. I wanted to check to make sure I would not be buying a mistake and all three comments have been favorable.

[JMC]

FYI I found our 03 Cr85 clean as can be for 1100 w/all the gear, sold that and found the 06 for 1300 just as clean. I would look at condition rather than year for the 85. Not much difference in the years but don't go back to the cr80 (been there prior to these) if you are looking for the more modern look. The 03 would and did run w/any of the newer bikes. Most parts will swap from 03 to present I THINK, but check first. Our susp. is stock and ok for now but I agree it is the biggest item to improve on every bike for any rider. We are using a stock pie and sil. too but I am looking for an upgrade. We did notice a difference in power when we put on the spark arrestor fmf sil. so we only use that for the woods.

[Trevsdad222]

We race an 07 and have an 05 for a parts/practice bike..I feel the CR is every bit competetive since all the 85s (Yam,Suz,KTM) are the same bikes for the last 3 years any way...The CR 85 can be found for a good price too..I wouldnt go later than the 04 cuz CR 85's havent changed from 04-07..

Its not the bike anyway so dont worry about that....

[mx-4-2]

We race an 07 and have an 05 for a parts/practice bike..I feel the CR is every bit competetive since all the 85s (Yam,Suz,KTM) are the same bikes for the last 3 years any way...The CR 85 can be found for a good price too..I wouldnt go later than the 04 cuz CR 85's havent changed from 04-07..

Its not the bike anyway so dont worry about that....

Thanks!

What mods, if any, have you done to your '07? How many hours/races are you getting before you replace the rings and piston? Since 2 strokes rely on the rpm's more than the 4t that we are running, how often are you replacing clutch discs?

[Trevsdad222]

I replace piston/rings/pin/bearing about 20 hours or when compression check reveals its time..compression should be 150-155 psi..if it gets to about 140-145 psi I do a top..

our bikes are box stock..

I have not changed clutches yet..been at least 40-50 hours and still fine, my boy doesnt ride the clutch much he relies on smooth throttle thru turns...

hope this helps...

[mx-4-2]

Well - after searching for a few weeks, I found a good bike that we bought. It's a '06 that was bought new in April '07. The bike has been in sitting since fall '07 and has about 15 hours on it. Still has the original tires and is completely stock.

I have gone though and changed the transmission oil, cleaned and oiled the air filter, chain and tourqued the spokes. After a fresh plug and some fuel in the cylinder, it fired right up. We have set the sag and other then the right numbers, we are ready for the track.

It's the first 2T my son has ridden and will also continue to race our CRF150R in supermini. We will run the 85 in the 12-15 yr old 85 class and 9-13 unlimited mini class. Next weekend will be our first practice session with it.

We also were able to reconfigure our enclosed trailer to get 3 bikes in it!!!

Thanks for the earlier comments from all as they were quite helpful!!!

[john484]

dude do you have dirt or dust where you live? I could eat off your trailer floor, lol. nice bikes, btw.

[kenziedada]

I have a 2004 and recently put a 2007 engine in it and the main difference I noticed was the flange that the pipe mounts on was different, so as far as I could tell the pipe wont be an exact match because the 04 pipe has a "female" end that goes to the flange whereas the 07 is opposite.