I had the 86-87-88-89-91-and 99 model CR500, raced all the hare scrambles and enduros in FL with them! The 86 was hard to start .Now I have a 2007CR500AF Service Honda in a 250 Aluminum Frame! That is the bike to own! Of course I race the KTM 300 in Hare scrambles and Enduros now.

I used to race the 1987 CR500! The thing was a beast! The motorcycle required a tremendous amount of respect! You had to ride them totally different from a 125 or 250. Come into the turn hot lock the brakes up both of which were disc brakes lay the bike over turn the throttle, and hold on for dear life! I survived racing several years on the bike pretty much unscathed with only two blown-out ACLs, a ruptured spleen in a ruptured colon, in about a week and a half and ICU If I had to do it all over again, I would not change a thing! What a rush to ride this bike! Even though it almost killed me several times! :-)

I purchased a new Honda CR 450 back in 1981. Except for a blown base cylinder gasket which I was able to repair at our camp in less than 20 minutes, I did not experience any of the shortcomings that you listed for this bike. The engine's power band was as wide as a barn door. All that power and torque worked great with the 4 speed gear box. With a 12 cup paddle tire this bike was the perfect Glamis machine. All the years riding in the desert it never let me down. One of the most reliable bikes I have ever owned.

I love my 1982 CR480. Grandpa bought it brand new on sale in 1983 and gave it to me. She still RIPS! Still has the original top end on it.

Excellent video. I'm glad there are still a few of us enthusiasts out here. Other than those who only care about Service Honda bikes. I built my own 500AF using a 2004 CRF250R rolling chassis. I've owned 6 500s so far. Love em!

Well Done. I Had an 87 CR500, and can tell you that after installing an FMF Pipe, the power was slightly smoothed out and Extended perfectly. The bike was King where ever I went, and Never lost an open field Drag Race to any other DirtBike, including Several KX 500s, 450Fs, and even newer CR500s. I Loved that bike and the raw power that could turn Mountains into Mole Hills... The Torque actually allowed me to do quite well in a Hairscamble one time as well. From my experience the 87 model did have the most Power, but the newer bikes had better suspension for larger jumps. Great Documentary.

Had a 2000 cr500. So much fun. A lot of bike for a 150lb guy but I was nice to it and it never let me down. Had a goofy friend try to kick it over wearing sneakers against my advice and it broke his ankle. Absolute beast of a machine. What a workout!

The '83 CR480 was a GREAT bike. Not scary fast, GREAT handling, GREAT suspension, and the most amazing set of drum brakes ever put on a motorcycle.

Great doc! Thanks for putting in the time to make it. I bought a '83 495, back in the day. Wish I still had it... It had a four-speed also, but it wasn't that bad. Who rides in low gear on an open-bike? Still remember those fourth-gear launches. Now that was fun! Thanks for the memories.

Outstanding documentary narration, superb video editing ! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge here on You Tube in regards to one of the gnarliest BIG BORE 2 strokes ever manufactured the mighty HONDA CR500R .2 strokes forever !

I owned a 1985 CR500. I loved that bike!

I used to own an 89 honda cr500r that i bored to a 580 and it was just a monster machine! Im watching all these videos of everyone babying them and never actually hitting power band in 5th gear wide open and its its upsetting. I used to race that bike on the edge.... one day ill own another and rebuild and I'll send you videos of it! Im so excited now to start saving up for another one... awesome video by the way! You made me decide on if i was ever going to get another! Ty!

I had the 85 and besides being difficult to start until you figure out the technique and crazy head-shake at high speed it was lots of fun. No so great to race and I often had to race with the 250s since I was the only dummy to race beginner 500. I remember once hearing the commentator say, "Now we have the least experienced riders on the most powerful bikes."

I had an 86 CR 500! Bought brand new and coming off Maico’s was like Dammit Man! The worst thing was starting it!

Thanks for the walk down memory lane. I have had my '85 CR500 since 1994, and still have not lost in a drag race. But, it's time to sell it and pass the fun on to someone else. Long live the speed king.

thanks for sharing this, it was well done. I miss the older bikes

this video was amazing! i loved every bit of it, Good job mate

amazing video I have been a Honda dirt bike fan and rider for many years and the new knowledge I have gained from this very informative video just makes me wonder what else did I miss keep up the great videos.

This is awesome, just what I needed thanks for uploading this!!!

I've always been a KX500 fan, had two of them, still got my '04. Been to hospital more than once riding them. Always loved the CR500 too. Great video thanks. Got an '01 CR500 in the shed at the back of the farm. On the stand and covered with a sheet. Bought it new and never rode it.

Great video, thank you for taking the time to make it

Had a 89… A huge powerplant w/ a nervous front end. It's a wonder I never got seriously hurt on it. I liked & subbed. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

What a great show loved every single bit of it!

Great documentary. Thanks, I learned a lot about this amazing bad ass machine.

Thanks for the video, I've still got my cr 500 I shoehorned into a 1997 1st gen AL frame, with the help of Mickey Kessler. 19 years later, it's still a blast to roll up to the gate and have the 450 4s riders snicker and guffaw at my "antique". It's funny to them right up until I fire that engine up and the exhaust sings that beautiful and ominous note. If I'm on, That engine will easily holeshot their arses but , as I'm sixty- some now I have to cede to the young'uns. It's all good, though, cause as they come around to lap me I just line my rear wheel up with an approaching young gun and twistrightwrist an over/under load of roost at em, just for kix. hee hee, I see them shaking the pain out of their knuckles in the pits. BTW The bike handles well, is stone solid reliable, there is hardly any parts on the engine or rolling chassis you cannot buy new from Honda, it used to crack expansion chamber headers until I bought a BILLS' pipe. Soooo much fun... again, thx for the video. God bless.

this was well done and informative, enjoyed it , thanks, Will

I had Maico's back in the day and my last one was an 84 M-Star 490, that was a great machine! Now I currently ride a 92 CR500 that is outfitted for the desert (where I live) and it is a fantastic machine! I do think my Maico 490 was faster and the transmission ratios were broader which made it very versatile but this Honda has been claw hammer reliable and it is very fast (it's not stock). Being a 1992 model the suspension is far superior to the 1984 Maico (M-Star) and the handling is sharper, the Maico was more stable at high speeds. I just love riding the big 2 strokes! There is nothing else like it! I like your videos, thanks for the good work! Ride safe!

My first time on a CR500 was on an 87, model with no brakes! I was 90lbs soaking wet at 14yrs old. Coming from an 1980 XR80. Boy did I luv that powerband👀❗❗Until the road came to a curve with a House dead insight. So asphalt ass it was. That summer I talked mom into a 1989 Cr80. So to my surprise she bought an 89, Cr250 to ride with me. But I don't think she ever left the yard on it. So it became mine around 91,. My family has always been a Ride Red family! Go Honda!

Thanks for the info. I used to race a 87 .CR500 brings back memories

Very well done! I restored an '86 last fall and have wanted an 85-86 for most of my life, so that was a bucket list check! Great info here.

I bought the 1984 500 in November 1984 from the dealer. I didn't even start the bike at the dealer. I took it home and took off the head and sent it to Klemm racing. Also the Honda factory didn't even run the Keihin carburetor on the pro support dealer bikes. They ran the Mikuni carburetor. Dirt Bike magazine had an article on the setup. I might still have it. Also in 1986 was the first year of the Showa cartridge forks for the public. The factory guys has them on the factory bikes starting in 1980. They were the black leg magnesium forks. Thanks for the video. I really enjoyed it and it was very accurate of the history of the Honda CR500R.

the 87 was the best engine ive used. i have owed and rode 86.87.88.89.90.93 and the 98. the 87 engine is what ive got in my service honda af after trying a few it iz smooth power that never ends. long live the 500s (even the green 1)😀

I remember in '74 watching Chad McQueen ride his new CR125 around "the Mesa" in Malibu. We talked to his dad (who we didn't know was a famous actor-we were 12 years old) and asked him how they hade a CR125 six months before they we to be released in the states. His reply? "I know some people" Steve McQueen was a really nice guy. He liked our home-made rear suspension Schwinn Stingrays.

Awesome video man, thanks for doing it!!!

The 83 480 was scary on the power band. My gripe as I recall was dialing in the suspension. I also had the 89 500 and it was tame compared to the 480 as I recall. Cool history tour!

I had 87 500. in my opinion it was a great bike. loved riding the sexy beast

I really enjoyed this documental. Love that beast CR500. I have a 2009 CRF450R but I wish I could buy one of this piece of engineering.

Great presentation! Thank you for taking the time to honor this beast!

Nice documentaries man!! You should do one on big bore KTMs 400,420,495,440,500,540,550,360,380

I had the 1985 and couldn't agree with his discription more. VIOLENT! What a blast!

Great show- Thanks

Great video. Thanks for posting it. I've always wanted a CR500. But they're hard to find affordable without needing a bunch of work.

my favorite bike of all was my 96, i started with a 92 then went to a 96 (i had 2 96's) i raced them all... they seemed to be the smoothest power of any of my friends bikes, KTM's and KX's, the only bike that could beat me was racing in Silver Lake Michigan was a the Cr500 AF from service Honda in Hammond Indiana and the Guy that beat me was a Townie from Silver Lake, Great memories, thanks for the video.

great video man! very interesting

Thank you to share this video with us

My uncle had a 83 cr480 and it was very fun to race! We never notice any detonation though. It had tons of power and depending on the track you could ride it like a 4-stroke. Miss that beast!

"the 88 was toned down to make it more rideable..." So basically all I heard was "get the 87" haha!

Excellent video!! I still have my 1999 CR500. It is one mean beast! ;-)

thanks for the video, excellent review of an iconic vicious bastard

I have a CRE500 and went for a spin a couple of weeks ago and it still thrills me.

Very nice show! Info was awesome! Thanks

Hey mate I have an 84CR500 and when I first bought it a few years back it was a bit of a pig with surging and fouling plugs. The detonation fix I have read about but I didnt do it to my bike. I went through the entire motor from carb to pipe and port matched everything, gaskets included. The worst thing I noticed about the engine was the castings in the transfer ports, so I smoothed them and light bead blasted. Also the crankcase needed to be matched to the barrel plus gaskets. Checked the heights of the ports from top of barrel matched carby mounts and exhaust mounts. Put the jetting at stock. I pulled this bike out after sitting at tdc with plugged exhaust nearly 12 months and after priming with about 7 slow kicks it starts first real kick. And instead of blubbering with small throttle twists for what seemed like forever it now takes about 3 or 4 twists to get to a wide open throttle twist. Good mod is a 98 i think cr250 kicker, the stock one may as well be a chicken wing. The engine is now an absolute beast. Probably the most powerful CR500 engine because it shares the short rod bottom end which the 85 and 86 had (more power orientated than torque like the later models)but has no water pump to turn over. A small thing I know. I have a 2002 KX500 and a mint RM500 1984 and the Cr is my favourite to ride. Im in Australia so maybe our premium pump gas is a different rating but ive had no pinging since these mods. My guess for this bikes un honda like internal finish is the huge demand they were under to bring out a full 500 and the water cooled bikes were still a bit away. The 1984 actually has crankcases which were getting ready for the water pump accomodation. The other thing is the rear shock, I'm only 77kg and I'm on the too heavy side for it. Made to suit the Japanese test riders I assume. I've ended up putting 86 250 front forks on and it is as near perfect as I can get it. I think the combustion chamber mod is possibly an easy fix/bandaid solution for the real problems this engine had. If anyone owns one try doing what I've expained here first before machining a head. It really works and this engine is amazing once it can breath properly.

Very informative ... Thanx !

The '83 CR480 was a fantastic bike. It turned great, had decent suspension for the time, and the motor had a lot of easy to manage low end power. Of all of the '83 open class bikes, it was the easiest to ride fast. The '87 had lots of power but I wouldn't call it hard to ride. If you sorted the suspension, it was a good bike. All of the CRs of this era turned well but had headshake, especially with the stock springs. Dialing it the right sag was critical to avoid headshake. Very reliable bikes.

very interesting video ! great work man

Nice vid, I really enjoyed it and learned a lot about the bikes. Paul Thede at Race Tech did the same head mod for YZ490's back in the day. Those red engine RC's are friggen beautiful bikes, I remember Marty Smith riding those at High Point. We were droolin' over those, for sure.

Great video! Thank you for the vast information on the "big" CR. Hopefully one day, someone can do more research on the different heads used from '85-'87, and let us know which one can give us the most violent power delivery for our 500's.

Thanks for doing a video on this classic 2-stroke, legendary monster!

Grew up around these machines in the 80s.... Love em all.... I have to admit I love the 88 89 gens most with that style and RED bodywork....

Very informative and well done 👍

The only Professional Motocross Race I ever went to was in 1977 , I believe. Marty Smith was riding a CR 500 against the Legend Roger Decoster on his Suzuki RM 500. I was honored as a young man to see these two legends in person and Bob Hurricane Hannah was there riding for Yamaha. THESE GUYS WERE GOOD AND IN THEIR PRIME.

Nice Pittsburgh accent. lol GREAT job capturing the history of these AWESOME machines.

I had an 1986 CR 500. I think it had 70 h.p. it felt like it and ripped your arms off. Most people couldn't start it. I miss that bike.

Great stuff, thanks for sharing.

Good stuff! Thanks so much!

Epic! Need more please

Great documentary.

Great upload thanks

Wow, 76 RC500, I had no idea they were around that early, thanks for this video, lots of good info here.

Very informative thank you 😎

Awsome vid. I used to ride an 87. Awsome bike.

Great Doco, thank you

Putting a new top end in my 1995 cr500. Getting it ready for this years hare scrambles and enduros is this COVID-19 will give us a break. Great video. Very informative!!

Great vid, would love to ride one!

Excellent video

Great video thanks

Nicely done!

Man i miss my 88. Glad I rode it in my early 20s. Do remember my shoulder worn out at the end of a day of riding Beaumont back in the day. Love that bike.

Great work! Thank you for taking the trouble to put this together. I raced an '81 CR450 - it was awful and nearly broke my back!! then I had an '83 CR480 which I loved it was chuckable, smooth and just a delight to ride, next up I had an '85 CR500 which was my favorite, great smooth spread of power, handled well and was stable because it had quite a long wheelbase - I swapped that for a brand new '86 CR500, which was most definately the evil one! The power delivery was fierce and although it turned better it was nervier at speed - I was 22 and fit at the time, but you really needed to be 'cos they were a handful! After I dabbled with Kawasaki KX500's '89 & '90 but they were never anywhere near as brutal!

Great video 👍🏻

Awesome video

Great video

had an 83 480 and a 87 500. Also Kx 500 87. All good. Rode 250 expert class fastest on smaller bikes though. Nice video. Thanks

Great video, they should still make these...

great info. thanks!

Had an 86...beast...and still had headshake after 4th gear...miss that thing...sigh...

Great video! Health issues have forced me to quit riding. Sold my CR500, miss it dearly.

Good video. The Cr500 was a beast. I had one for awhile brand new in 1987 and a CR250. Sadly I didnt do much with it beside start it up to scare ppl. On the track it was like trying to wrestle a bull to the ground. I also had the same year Cagiva WMX500 that thing was like two cr500s lmao.

Thanks you did a job with this

Whenever I look at the RC 500 it takes me back to my teenage years I get a feeling I can’t describe

Great video, I just felt that there was a big jump from 88 - 01 that was not covered. Specifically in the changes between 89 - 90, which were huge as Honda made changes to the 90 frame that greatly inhanced the overall handling over the 89 which was twitchy at best. I just happen to have the both MXA magazine test for the 89 & 90 and they stated the 90 was the closet Honda had came to the 81 Maico 490 powerband which Honda had actually tried to immuilate in their big bores for years. They were not KX500s with power valves either, but the 90 was really the last big change that affected the bike in a huge way. Great video though!

Great video!

I wanted to learn about the baddest dirt bike of all time and I did props to you man!! liking now and subbing.

This is awesome.

My dad once left his 500 in a garage for Four years. It started 4th kick!

this was very informative. thanks!!:-)

What a great video. Well done sir. Would love to try a ride on a twin 1000cc

BTW, I have an 84 and 86 CR500. They both run great. Never had an issue with the pinging. Throw some good premix at 32:1 with 92 octane and zero issues. :) The mid hit on the 86 is a bit stronger, but the 84 is a great trail/desert bike. My YZ465 is rock solid, but the brakes, well, kinda stink.

Thank you very good video!

I had a brand new 1982 cr 480 a local dealer found 2 of them tucked away in 85. Awesome bike.