Honda CR500 Top Speed, Specs, Horsepower, & Price in 2024 (2024)

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
Displacement491.4 cc
Transmission 5-Speed
Power67.6 hp
Seat Height38.0 inches
Curb Weight247 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 Type1-Cylinder, 2-stroke, SOHC,
Engine Displacement491.4 cc
No. of Cylinders1
Fuel TypePetrol
Fuel SupplyFlat-slide keihin carburetor
Cooling SystemLiquid Cooling
Bore 89.0 mm
Stroke79.0 mm
Compression Ratio6.8:1
Valves Per Cylinder2
Starting Kick
Ignition CDI
Transmission 5-Speed, constant mesh
ClutchWet type, multi-disc
Final DriveChain

Top Speed, Performance, & Mileage

Power 67.6 hp @ 8,500 rpm
Torque72.2 Nm @ 6,000 rpm
Top SpeedHonda CR500 top speed is 92 mph
Mileage23.5 mpg
0-60 mph6-7 seconds Approximate

Chassis & Suspension

Body TypeDirt bike
ChassisSteel tube frame
Front Suspension45 mm Showa leading-axle inverted forks
Rear Suspension Showa pro-link shock absorber
Front Wheel Travel12.2 inches
Rear Wheel Travel12.6 inches

Brakes, Wheels, & Tires

Front BrakeSingle hydraulic 2-piston caliper disc
Rear BrakeSingle hydraulic 1-piston caliper disc
Front Brake Diameter240 mm
Rear Brake Diameter220 mm
ABSNo
Front Wheel21 inch Spoke rims
Rear Wheel18 inch Spoke rims
Tire TypeTube type
Front Tire Size80/100-21 51M
Rear Tire Size110/100-18 64M

Dimension & Capacity

Wheelbase 58.6 inches
Length 85.9 inches
Width32.5 inches
Height48.8 inches
Seat Height 38.0 inches
Ground Clearance13.5 inches
Curb Weight 247 lbs
Fuel Tank Capacity2.4 gallons
Seating Capacity1

Electricals & Lighting

Battery TypeNo battery
Battery Capacity0
HeadlightNo
Pilot LightsNo
Taillights No
Turn Signals No
Pass LightNo

Instrument Console & Speedometer

Console TypeNo instrument console
SpeedometerNo
TachometerNo
OdometerNo
Trip MeterNo
No. of Trip Meters0
Fuel GaugeNo
Gear Shift LightNo
Gear Position Indicator No
Low Fuel Indicator No
Engine Temperature IndicatorNo
Service Indicator No

Other Features

Electric StarterNo
Engine kill SwitchNo
Stand Alarm No
Stepped SeatNo
Pillion SeatNo
Pillion GrabrailsNo
Pillion Footrest No
Underseat StorageNo
Additional FeaturesAdjustable 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

Is Honda bringing back the CR500?

There were some news reports about the launch of an updated CR500 but Honda has not confirmed it yet.

What is the seat height of the Honda CR500?

It has a higher seat height of 38.0 inches which also helps the bike by providing higher ground clearance.

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Honda CR500 Top Speed, Specs, Horsepower, & Price in 2024 (2024)

FAQs

How much HP does a cr500 have? ›

Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. The CR500 was first produced in 1984, and had a 491 cc (30.0 cu in) air-cooled two-stroke engine that produced 60.8hp, the most powerful motocross bike that Honda had ever produced. For 1985, a new water-cooled engine was introduced.

What year was the most powerful CR 500? ›

The bottom end power is specially notorious for the years 1985 through 1988. These are the bikes that are starting to turn into quite the collector bike these days.

What dirt bike has the most horsepower? ›

The most powerful dirt bike currently available is the 2023 KTM 450 SX-F. It produces 63 horsepower and 34 lb-ft of torque from its 449cc single-cylinder engine.

What is the nickname of the CR500? ›

In 1984 Honda introduced the first iteration of the monstrous CR500, nicknamed the 'Ping King'.

What was the last year they made the CR500? ›

Much to the dismay of dirt bike enthusiasts everywhere, the Honda CR500 was finally discontinued in 2001.

What is the dyno difference between KX500 and CR500? ›

The KX500 was the power king on the dyno at 58.78 peak horsepower, beating out the CR500 by 4 horsepower; it just took longer to get there. In the torque category, the CR500 offered 47.53 pound-feet of torque in comparison to the KX500's 45.18 pound-feet.

Why was the CR500 discontinued? ›

One of the overall best dirt bikes, the CR500, was discontinued in 2001. So, if this is one of the best bikes then why would it be discontinued? Honda will say the main reason it was discontinued was because they do not sell enough open class bikes for motocross to justify the build cost.

Will Honda ever make two-strokes again? ›

Honda is planning to bring back two-strokes with a clean-burning, fuel-injected, all-new screamer engine. Patents have just been published that show the side and front elevation of a new two-stroke engine from the big H. On the drawing above, tagged with the numbers 71, 70 and 74 can be seen a fuel injection system.

Why did they stop making KX500? ›

Lack of competition lead to stagnation, as only Honda, Maico and, briefly, KTM manufactured 500cc motocross bikes in this period. With the decline of Open-Class motocross and no need for innovation, sales of the KX500 steadily fell.

What is the best 500 dirt bike? ›

The Beta 500RR-S, Honda CRF450RL, Husqvarna FE501S and KTM 500EXC are the elite bikes with the most performance, the least weight and the highest prices. For our 2023 500 Dual-Sport Shootout, we selected those four bikes as the best of the best. We rode them in stock condition with the exception of tires.

Did Honda make an aluminum frame CR500? ›

Honda CR500R two-strokes with custom-made aluminum frames are not new. Honda never got around to making one that you could buy off the showroom floor, but the mid-2000s saw a number of talented fabricators who could combine a Honda 500 motor with a more current aluminum frame.

How fast does a 500cc 2 stroke go? ›

How fast is a 500cc dirt bike? The top speed of a 500cc dirt bike can vary, but it is typically in the range of 80-100 mph (130-160 km/h). The speed can vary, depending on factors such as the brand, model, and rider weight. However, on average, a 500cc dirt bike can reach speeds of up to 80-100 mph (130-160 km/h).

What is the top speed of the YZ 500? ›

This beautifully engineered powerplant delivered a stunning 95hp and revved to 11,000 rpm. It propelled the white, red and black racer to an eye-watering 170mph top speed.

How fast is a KX 500 2 stroke? ›

Kawasaki KX500
ManufacturerKawasaki
Bore / stroke86 x 86mm
Compression ratio8.4:1
Top speed< 90mph
Ignition typeCDI
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