CR 500 vs. CR 250

I currently have a KLX 300, but am looking to get a CR500 or CR250. I have never been able to figure out, however, why the 500's cost about the same, or even cheaper. While they seem to weigh about the same, and the 500 is much more powerful, why don't more people own them? Does the 250 have any problems with power? I will mostly be in the sand, and want something that can go anywhere and do anything--what do you guys reccomend?

Thank you in advance!!

Anyone have any info?

Alot of people dont ride CR 500's because they have more power then most sane people care to deal with. :22yikes: They are total animals. LOL A 250 would be perfect for riding in sand,they have plenty of power for any terrain you might ride on.

Danny

I agree the CR250 is an awesome Bike, I have owned 250's and they are a great Bike for sand and the Track, I switched over to a quad last year due to the sloppy ass conditions here in New England, and all my

all my buddies are lazy and dont like the added effort to riding a dirtbike, A 500cc will tear you apart if its your first DirtBike, I have riding since I was Four and wouldn't say you should buy one unless you have lots of riding experience!!! They are heavier bikes and harder to maneuver in tight trails, and once you hit PowerBand hold on cause they take off like a rocket! the 250 is no turtle either its just going put less wear and tear on your body, and will supply you with enough power.
-Jimmy

Well I do have lots of riding experience, but I have owned 4 strokes all my life. So the 250 will have plenty of power to get up any sand dune that I want it to go up?

I think I am leaning towards the 500 though. I know that the 250's got a new look in '97, did the 500's as well? I was looking at '97-00 250's, should I be looking at those years for the 500 as well?

I had a CR500 and all it did was rip the back spokes out, i was always replacing them. Now i have a 2003 RM250 and let me tell you it flies and you better hang on when you twist that grip!! because theres no end to the power band it just keeps on pulling........
Another thing about the CR500... you better have a strong leg to start it and hope it don't back fire when you kick it over Because that hurts i know....

definetly get the 250 man honda stopped developing the 500 in 89 so basically you are buying old technolagy and the 500 is pretty much unridable in trails and way too much bike on a mx track for 95% of the public

i had an rm 250 and a cr 250 by the time i had rebuilt and finished both of them they had around the power of a cr500 but more predictable, my dad rode a cr500 and he could go anywhere he wanted to with that at jones creek he just had to be careful to not crack the throttle too much.

definetly get the 250 man honda stopped developing the 500 in 89 so basically you are buying old technolagy and the 500 is pretty much unridable in trails and way too much bike on a mx track for 95% of the public


The last year for the CR 500 was 2001. So, the technology is not really that old at all. As far as being too much bike for me...that is not possible.

As far as being too much bike for me...that is not possible.

Theres your first mistake to getting hurt or getting killed.. :smokin:

Theres your first mistake to getting hurt or getting killed.. :smokin:




OK :evillol:

Quazy wasnt kidding,,, 500cc Dirtbikes are heavy and powerful machines.. Ive been riding for a long time and my experience on a 500cc was making sure I didnt snap the throttle too much, it just launches you.. Im 6'1" 210lbs and the 500cc's just throw you around like a ragdoll. My modded RM250 Had a great sac and was a better all around bike for trails, pits, etc.. the 500cc should be used for the track and wide open sand dunes...
-Jimmy

Its actually almost too fast for the track.. hehe I got a 98' Honda Factory racing CR250 and its got all the power you need on the track, dunes, or trails! I also got a Hayabusa almost pushing 200hp thats a street bike that I ride around too so when I say a CR500 dirtbike is powerful & fast for even a pro rider, then I mean it... :smokin:

I currently have a KLX 300, but am looking to get a CR500 or CR250. I have never been able to figure out, however, why the 500's cost about the same, or even cheaper. While they seem to weigh about the same, and the 500 is much more powerful, why don't more people own them? Does the 250 have any problems with power? I will mostly be in the sand, and want something that can go anywhere and do anything--what do you guys reccomend?

Thank you in advance!!

If you want a bike that will do anything that's on the CR250/CR500 scale, I would highly recomend the CRF450. It has the snap of a two stroke, and also the torque of the four stroke. It weighs the same as the CR250. I think it's a little more expensive than the two strokes mostly because it's a high demand bike, but if you want the top of the line it's worth the money. Plus no mixing gas, or fouled plugs. Ride the track, ride the dunes ride the trails....just ride.

Hope this helps.

ya, that's a little spendy though (the CRF450). I sure wish the CR 500's were easier to come by. I've got a friend with one and I just keep begging him to sell it to me since it still looks brand new!! (which, by the way, I never have any problems handling the power of)

Nobody is saying you cant ride a 500cc we are just trying to advise you for your safety that its not your average trailbike... A fourstroke is a much better bike if you want to spend the extra money..
if your looking for balls to the wall look into the KTM 525 SX, My friend has one i believe its a 01' or 02' but its like no other dirtbike. it has more Power than a 500cc 2 stroke and the torque is always there with the twist of the throttle. I dont think anyone is saying you cant ride we just dont want to see you get too much bike for your riding purpose. Good luck, but seriously look into the KTM bikes they make some Beautiful machines. let us know what you end up buying.
-Jimmy

just get the 250 it better alround and will still keep up with the 500 because 500 are only 4 speeds my yz250 will keep up with a 500 no prob. the 500 are not reliable and are real hard to start. thats all i have to say.

Okay, I have friends with 500's, and they are certainly no problem to ride. People always complain about them having too much power and it being too unpredictable. I do most of my riding at the dunes, and from my experience they are perfect for those conditions.

I would love to get a KTM, for they are excelent bikes. However, they are a little spendy.

Hotwheelsgt, my 300 (4stroke) has a much higher top speed than most 250's and 500's. There's no question about that. My bike is even geared down fairly lower than stock (I have a 54 tooth rear sprocket now). It is not because I have 6 gears either, it's the way that they are geared (in the sprockets).

If you have trouble starting it, maybe something is wrong with yours. If I got one, it would be one that I know has been well maintained and treated well.

i dout your 300 is faster than my 250

That is very interresting. What do you mean by faster?? Top speed or off the line? What have you done to your 250 that makes you think it is faster?

Mine is also bored and stroked, with pretty much everything else being aftermarket or modified.

so has mine its been bored, stroked, ported polished, i have reeds and cage, pipe, silencer, regeared, carb bored, oversize float bowl, and thats not includin ever thing else aftermarket

Hotwheelsgt wins cause his sig. is cooler than yours :rofl:

Jimmiz71...You're very correct!!! I like the way you think

is that lopez in your sig, face kinda looks like her, never sen her like that in a pic though, or is it airbrushed or something, whoever/however it is I like it though. lol

I had an 83 CR480 and for an old diasour (but new back then) it would rip. I mastered the 3rd gear launch quite easily. Most guys we rode with had 125s and 250s, so it was good for showing off. No matter how long the straightaways were, it could carry the front wheel at will-any speed, any gear. It made for a fun bike. The only bad thing is the brutalness of the thing- instant wheelie, instant roost, instant gas cap in your face-. I learned really fast to keep my toes on the rear brake. Funnest bike I ever had.

My heavily modded CR 250 was just as fun. Keep it pinned and jam through the gears without any fear. It too would wheelie in every gear but with less rush factor. Always predictable, more nimble and much faster lap times.

If you can handle the 500, go for it. It is a beast and will put the moxt experienced on their ass. The 250 is strong, more predictable, and still powerful. Have to decide which would be best for you and your terrain.

---TEX---

I have owned both CR500 and KX500. Im 6ft 1 and 205lbs. Im also a 17 year rider. I prefer the CR over the KX cuz the CR has a meaner midrange hit. I allways loved the look on peoples faces when I flew by them or conqured big hills easier than them on my older half exspensive bikes. Throttle Control is the name of the game when riding the big 5's. Even if your in the sand. It was a challenge at times to keep the front end down in 5th gear at the dunes. These bikes are more of a response to a want then a need though. A 250 will have more than enough power any sane rider will need. Ive mellowed out since then though and my XR600 suits me just fine.:)