The Honda CR500 is one of the most iconic 2-stroked dirt bikes ever produced by Honda. It comes equipped with a power-packed single-cylinder engine and it features a constant-mesh 5-speed manual transmission. The CR500 comes with high-end suspensions and a rigid chassis. This dirt bike had a great run and the last model was priced at $5,899 in the United States.
Honda CR500 Top Speed, Horsepower, Specifications, & Review
Honda CR500 Key Specifications
| Price | $5,899 |
| Engine | 1-Cylinder |
| Displacement | 491.4 cc |
| Transmission | 5-Speed |
| Power | 67.6 hp |
| Seat Height | 38.0 inches |
| Curb Weight | 247 lbs |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 2.4 Gallons |
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Top Features
- Sturdy steel tube frame
- 45 mm Showa inverted front forks
- Show Pro-Link rear suspension
- Adjsutable compression and rebound damping
- Single 240 mm hydraulic front disc brake with 2-piston caliper
- Single 220 mm hydraulic rear disc brake with 1-piston caliper
- 21 Inch spoke rim front wheel
- 18 Inch spoke rim rear wheel
- Dunlop K490G 80/100-21 51M front tires
- Dunlop K695 110/100-18 64M rear tires
- Single-cylinder, two-stroke engine
- Liquid cooling system
- Membrane and power valve assemmbly
- 38 mm Flat-slide Keihin carburetor
- 5-Speed constant mesh transmission
- Capicitor discharge ignition
- Manaul kick starter only
Honda CR500 Review
Engine & Transmission
This Honda dirt bike is powered by a single-cylinder two-stroke engine with membrane and power valve assembly. It relies on a 38 mm flat-slide Keihin carburetor for the fuel supply to the engine. The Honda CR500 comes paired to a 5-speed constant mesh gearbox with a muli-plate clutch setup. It uses an electronic CDI ignition system but it doesn’t get an electric starter.
Horsepower & Top Speed
The latest-gen Honda CR500 has a maximum power output of 67.6 horsepower that comes at 8,500 rpm. Its maximum torque output is 72.2 Nm that comes at 6,000 rpm. This Honda dirt bike was one of the most popular during its time in the 500cc class. The Honda CR500 top speed is around 92 mph and that made it despite being slightly heavier.
Body & Suspension
The CR500 comes with a very compact and lightweight design that also looks very appealing. It uses a steel tube chassis that is rigid and stable. At the front, it is fitted with 45 mm Showa leading-axle inverted forks that offer a front wheel travel of 12.2 inches. While at the rear, it gets a Showa pro-link shock absorber that offers a rear wheel travel of 12.6 inches. The Honda CR500 front and rear suspension also allow compression and rebound damping adjustability.
Brakes & Wheels
The Honda CR500 comes with a 240 mm hydraulic disc brake with 2-piston caliper on the front wheel and a 220 mm hydraulic disc brake with 1-piston caliper on the rear wheel. Going by the weight and power of this dirt bike, the brake setup looks a little weak. The Honda CR500 gets a 23-inch front wheel with spoke rims and an 18-inch rear wheel with spoke rims. It got 80/100-21 51M front tire and 110/100-18 64M rear tire in stock condition.
Dimensions
This Honda dirt bike has a length of 85.9 inches and its total height is 48.8 inches. Its total width is 32.5 inches and it has a wheelbase of 58.6 inches. The Honda CR500 has a ground clearance of 13.5 inches and it has a seat height of 38.0 inches. Its dry weight is 233 lbs while it weighs 247 lbs in running order. It has a fuel tank capacity of 9 liters which is around 2.4 gallons.
Honda CR500 Price and Competiton
The Honda CR500 last variant carried a price tag of $5,899 in the united states. The first model of this dirt bike was launched at a price tag of $2,598 in the United States. Currently, this bike is sold between $2,500 to $15,000 in the aftermarket depending upon the variant and model year. The CR500 use to compete against the Kawasaki KX500, KTM450, and Yamaha YZ490. Even the Kawasaki KX500 is very popular in the motorcycling community and dirt-bike enthusiasts.
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Honda CR500 Specifications
Engine & Transmission
| Engine Type | 1-Cylinder, 2-stroke, SOHC, |
| Engine Displacement | 491.4 cc |
| No. of Cylinders | 1 |
| Fuel Type | Petrol |
| Fuel Supply | Flat-slide keihin carburetor |
| Cooling System | Liquid Cooling |
| Bore | 89.0 mm |
| Stroke | 79.0 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 6.8:1 |
| Valves Per Cylinder | 2 |
| Starting | Kick |
| Ignition | CDI |
| Transmission | 5-Speed, constant mesh |
| Clutch | Wet type, multi-disc |
| Final Drive | Chain |
Top Speed, Performance, & Mileage
| Power | 67.6 hp @ 8,500 rpm |
| Torque | 72.2 Nm @ 6,000 rpm |
| Top Speed | Honda CR500 top speed is 92 mph |
| Mileage | 23.5 mpg |
| 0-60 mph | 6-7 seconds Approximate |
Chassis & Suspension
| Body Type | Dirt bike |
| Chassis | Steel tube frame |
| Front Suspension | 45 mm Showa leading-axle inverted forks |
| Rear Suspension | Showa pro-link shock absorber |
| Front Wheel Travel | 12.2 inches |
| Rear Wheel Travel | 12.6 inches |
Brakes, Wheels, & Tires
| Front Brake | Single hydraulic 2-piston caliper disc |
| Rear Brake | Single hydraulic 1-piston caliper disc |
| Front Brake Diameter | 240 mm |
| Rear Brake Diameter | 220 mm |
| ABS | No |
| Front Wheel | 21 inch Spoke rims |
| Rear Wheel | 18 inch Spoke rims |
| Tire Type | Tube type |
| Front Tire Size | 80/100-21 51M |
| Rear Tire Size | 110/100-18 64M |
Dimension & Capacity
| Wheelbase | 58.6 inches |
| Length | 85.9 inches |
| Width | 32.5 inches |
| Height | 48.8 inches |
| Seat Height | 38.0 inches |
| Ground Clearance | 13.5 inches |
| Curb Weight | 247 lbs |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 2.4 gallons |
| Seating Capacity | 1 |
Electricals & Lighting
| Battery Type | No battery |
| Battery Capacity | 0 |
| Headlight | No |
| Pilot Lights | No |
| Taillights | No |
| Turn Signals | No |
| Pass Light | No |
Instrument Console & Speedometer
| Console Type | No instrument console |
| Speedometer | No |
| Tachometer | No |
| Odometer | No |
| Trip Meter | No |
| No. of Trip Meters | 0 |
| Fuel Gauge | No |
| Gear Shift Light | No |
| Gear Position Indicator | No |
| Low Fuel Indicator | No |
| Engine Temperature Indicator | No |
| Service Indicator | No |
Other Features
| Electric Starter | No |
| Engine kill Switch | No |
| Stand Alarm | No |
| Stepped Seat | No |
| Pillion Seat | No |
| Pillion Grabrails | No |
| Pillion Footrest | No |
| Underseat Storage | No |
| Additional Features | Adjustable front and rear suspension |
Conclusion on Honda CR500
The CR500 has carved a name for itself in the history of iconic off-road machines for obvious reasons. It comes with a furious single-cylinder 2-stroke engine that delivers brute performance. Its sturdy and rigid chassis allows it to tackle the most challenging terrains. It comes with high-quality Showa suspensions that are very responsive. The Honda CR500 is one of the finest off-road motorcycles ever made.
Frequently Asked Questions
There were some news reports about the launch of an updated CR500 but Honda has not confirmed it yet.
It has a higher seat height of 38.0 inches which also helps the bike by providing higher ground clearance.
