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Honda CR 500R

Make Model	Honda CR 500R
Year	1996 - 98
Engine	Two stroke, single cylinder, membrane & power valve
Capacity	491.4 cc / 29.9 cu-in
Bore x Stroke	89.0 x 79.0 mm
Compression Ratio	6.8:1
Cooling System	Liquid cooled
Exhaust	Expansion chamber
Lubrication	Pre-mix
Induction	Single 38mm Keihin flat-slide carburettor
Ignition	CDI
Starting	Kick
Max Power	56 hp / 41.7 kW @ 6000 rpm
Max Torque	72.2 Nm / 53.3 lb-ft @ 6000 rpm
Clutch	Wet plate
Transmission	5 Speed
Final Drive	Chain
Primary Reduction	2.520
Final Reduction	3.500
Gear Ratio	1st 1.750 / 2nd 1.388 / 3rd 1.150 / 4th 1.000 / 5th 0.870
Frame	Welded steel tubing
Front Suspension	43mm Showa leading axle USD fork with adjustable compression rebound damping
Front Wheel Travel	310 mm / 12.2 in
Rear Suspension	Showa Prolink with adjustable compression rebound damping
Rear Wheel Travel	320 mm / 12.6 in
Front Brakes	240mm Single disc hydraulic 2 piston caliper
Rear Brakes	220mm Single disc hydraulic 1 piston caliper
Front Tyre	80/100 - 21
Rear Tyre	110/100 - 18
Rake	28°
Trail	122 mm / 4.8 in
Wheelbase	1489 mm / 58.6 in
Seat Height	964 mm / 38.0 in
Ground Clearance	343 mm / 13.5 in
Dry Weight	105.6 kg / 233.0 lbs
Wet Weight	112 kg / 247 lbs
Fuel Capacity	9 Litres / 2.4 US gal

The 196 CR500R came in Nuclear Red with Shasta White and Black. The front fork had a 46mm inverted Kayaba cartridge. The "CR" logo on the tank shroud was fluorescent yellow outlined in black on a red background.

The serial number began JH2PE020*TM500001

The 1997 CR500R came in Nuclear Red. The graphics were newly redesigned. The front fender was red while the rear fender was white. The rear section of the frame was detachable.

The serial number began JH2PE020*VM600001

CR 500R Overview

The Honda CR500R, a two stroke, single cylinder, dirt bike series was produced by Honda between 1984 and 2001.

The 1984 model was the only year to be air cooled and was nick named the "ping king", with a claimed 59 hp.

In 1985, Honda made the first water cooled CR500R.

The 1984-1986 models had a rear drum brake and front disc brakes, and from 1987 and up Honda fitted a disc brake at the rear.

The bottom end power is specially notorious for the years 1985 to 1991 with a claimed 64.6 hp.

For the years 1989 onwards, Honda smoothed out the power band by redesigning the head. This also helped with kick starting since there was less compression to push down. Also the bike received some big exhaust changes that resembles modern two stroke exhaust designs. The front suspension was upgrades to Showa up-side-down forks.

The bike stayed basically the same throughout the years, but in 1993 to 2001 the hp was mellowed out to approximately 56 hp.

In 1993 the AMA 500 motocross races were stopped and there was no longer a designated motocross race for the bike to be in, so Honda stopped developing the CR500R.

2001 was the last year of production of the CR500R.

Dave Thorpe, three-time World 500cc MX champion said:

“The CR500 has a reputation as being an animal, but when you are thinking straight and everything is together, it’s a lovely machine. But as soon as your mind wanders you tire and become a passenger, that’s when a 500cc two-stroke becomes a beast that will bite you…

What amazed me the most was just how tractable it was, which people often forget. I used to race with a four-speed gearbox and start the race in third! It would just plough away from the trap like a tractor, digging a trench behind it due to its torque. It was awesome and I often used to only shift once in a lap, the rest of the time I just left it in third.

The time I used to notice just how fearsome the CR could be, was during pre-season testing. When you hadn’t ridden it for a while it really felt wild. Dad used to describe watching me as like seeing some washing hanging off the back of the bike. I wish some of the modern top-level riders could try one for size, I’m sure they would still be amazingly competitive as the CR500 was so far ahead of its time.”

The 1998 CR500R came in Nuclear Red with Ross White. Again there was new graphics. The rear section of the frame was detachable.

The serial number began JH2PE020*WM700001