Supermoto advice - CR500 Yay or nay? Input needed!

[mattevans58]

Looking to buy a CR 500 in Supermoto format, just wanted some owner input!

As far as I'm aware they're savage beasts with plenty of go and very little weight holding it back so its sounds brilliant to me.

I cycle (yeah it saves money ) to work 5 days a week and I would use the CR as a toy for the weekend twisties! Is it viable? Don't mind maintenance as long as it isn't too OTT. If the CR is in bits or what not I have a trusty Bandit 600 to enjoy myself on.

So if you've owned or have any info on the bike could you please give me some information as I'm curious!

[stevo as b4]

If you can afford a nice (not worn out) one in supermoto spec that's been made road legal, and you can afford the maintenance and know how to fix/look after it then buy it IMO!

You is da Man!

It's not a great road bike, and the 500 MX'ers are all pretty expensive/sought after now, but it's a bike so far off most road rider's radar's, and many wouldn't have the balls to try one!

If your keeping your Bandido as your distance/workhorse bike, and don't need to leave the CR parked at work/in town etc, Then I say Hell Yeah!

If it don't get nicked, it's a bike that's only ever going up in value now, and if your going to try out a two stroke in 2015 which is very socially un-acceptable, then you might as well have a big one!

[MCN.]

Fun to say you've ridden one but utterley pointless on the road. Also nearly impossible to start.

[Irn-Bru]

Do it
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KTM 990 SMT & Suzuki DR-Z 400 SM

[bikertomm]

If I knew anything about 2 strokes I'd probably have one for the lulz. Plus, if it's a nice one surely the only way the value is going is up.

+1 on the do it.
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07' Honda Hornet now full powaah! My guide on performing an oil change!

[Eddie Hitler]

As a toy, F**K yes. If there was any chance you'd want to commute, I'd consider the XR650 in supermoto form aswell.

[chris-red]

I looked at this once. I believe the service manual specifies a 15 hour piston life. That put me off
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
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[G]

Will keep it's value providing you don't pay a silly amount.

I do like 2 strokes for lots of reasons.

I like revvy bikes and many 2 strokes are.

Consensus is the CR500 isn't that revvy.

I like light bikes - you won't get that much range of power in a lighter frame I doubt.

For fun, I think I'd go for a 250 2 stroke mx bike setup for SM. Something like a modern KTM 250SX will be a chunk lighter than the 500, with not far off the peak power but more of a powerbandy hit.

Remember the 15 hour piston life is probably based on race use - where you're going at a flat out pace for shorter periods. On the road you'll probably not need such a harsh regime.

[mattevans58]

[G]

95.9 for the latest 250SX - or 87.8kg for the latest 150SX! (So a potential 4/5ths of the weight of the CR for the diddy one; though a bit less than 4/5ths the power probably.)

I reckon the 150 with a 200 bore kit and SM wheels could be VERY interesting. (I do have a 98 200EXC and some wheels that need some bodging to go on, but alas time and space are lacking.)

[mattevans58]

Pleased to say i'm gonna start looking for a CR500SM! Found ones on ebay with tones of mods going for £5k...it's in budget but does seem a bit much! Seeing CRF450SM's going for under £4k makes me think

[binge]

If you intend to ride it properly, the engine braking will kill it.

Big 4t single all the way for a decent supermoto.

Although if funds would allow, I'd have an SXV550 in a heartbeat!

[G]

Thought you'd already found one; if I was going for a road SM with a linear power delivery it'd be a late Husaberg 650. Seen them going in good nick with both sets of wheels for under £3k.

[LittleRestrai...]

If you haven't ridden something similar before then it will be a fun, but harsh lesson in brutal 2 stroke power, regular maintenance, and impending danger.

Once you get it started.

But it will be fun.





Until it rips your arms out of their sockets and kicks you off the back like a rabid stallion.

I'd buy one tomorrow.

[Just_James]

It would be one of those bikes that I'd certainly want to have a go on... but probably not own


I used to have a KX500 and it was a savage beast offroad..... that was when the rear wheel was free to spin as much as it liked!

With road tyres and traction .... it certainly would be insanely fun but I'd say it would require some taming
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Current Bikes / Projects: 1999 Rieju RS1 50
Previous bikes - 1986 DT125R (field bike), 1989 KX250, 1980 KX420 (with 500cc big bore), 1992 YZ250, 1988 KX500, 1989 XR250R, 1988 VFR400R NC24, 1999 Cagiva Mito 125, 2008 Rieju RS2 50 , 1993 Honda NSR 125

[stevo as b4]

Set it up very rich, and just blubber round everywhere on the pilot jet! Should maybe keep all your arms and legs still fitted then?

Oh and I agree with Binge. For the ultimate road legal/road useful SM bike, then Aprilia SVX550 for me too please.

I always wanted a TDR250, but they are deep in classic tax land now, and if I had a 100mph+ bike, id want one where I can keep my left hand from hovering over the clutch lever, every time I pinned it on the by-pass etc.

[Albigularis]

[Irn-Bru]

They do quite like blowing up too, track only bike I'd say but they're gorgeous machines.

But if it does last 500 miles then that is nothing unusual for a proper SM bike.

If you wanted a more sensible SM there's the KTM 690 SMC, DRZ 400 etc. much heavier bikes, but 3,000 mile oil changes, newer 690's being 6,000 actually. Personally I do mine every 1.5k because it's just a toy therefore only ever gets rode flat out (got to be better for the bike than 20 miles of city traffic every day surely) and it takes a few months to do that mileage anyway.
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KTM 990 SMT & Suzuki DR-Z 400 SM

[G]

I don't know about the SXV, but the big singles typically don't take a massive amount of oil, so as far as cost goes, it's not as bad as you might think.

Doesn't take long for an oil change alone.

When they were first released plenty of people (including dealers) were suggesting more regular servicing than Aprilia specified.

Oh and I believe the SXV is listed at 122kg, making the 690 SMC 16.5kg heavier - so not far off the difference between a KTM 450SMR and the Aprilia - of course carry down that route and you've have a XT660 or some other similar heffer!

[0l0dom0l0]

Tried to start one once. Lol I feared for my ankle.

Just buy it no one buys a CR500 to be sensible. I looked at one once. Wish I'd bought it now.
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CBT Passed: 30/08/2009, Theory Passed: 31/08/2010, Mod 1 Passed: 6/9/2010, Mod 2 Passed: 13/09/2010. Restriction ended 13/09/2012.

Bikes: 2007 Derbi GPR 50, 1998 Yamaha Fazer 600 (written off), 2002 Yamaha Fazer 600, 1994 CBR 600F, 2003 Triumph Daytona 600, Kawasaki ZX6R J1.....Current: 2006 Yamaha FZ6, 1998 Suzuki TL1000R and a Honda VFR 400 NC30.

[Albigularis]

[Irn-Bru]

That's where a bike like the 690 SMC steps in, same weight as the DRZ but twice the (standard) BHP. My DRZ should be around 42bhp, +12-14 on standard, it does what I need it to do very well. It really depends on the roads you go on, if they're long and boring even a 690 probably will get tiresome. That is a bike that will do 125mph mind and pull hard all the way. I do miss the power (owned one for a few months) but where I ride it's not so important. You end up chasing a "do it all" bike but what you really need is 2 separate bikes.
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KTM 990 SMT & Suzuki DR-Z 400 SM

[Just_James]

I just had to look

CR500 Supermoto on Youtube

Now I feel I need another 500cc 2T
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Current Bikes / Projects: 1999 Rieju RS1 50
Previous bikes - 1986 DT125R (field bike), 1989 KX250, 1980 KX420 (with 500cc big bore), 1992 YZ250, 1988 KX500, 1989 XR250R, 1988 VFR400R NC24, 1999 Cagiva Mito 125, 2008 Rieju RS2 50 , 1993 Honda NSR 125

[stevo as b4]

Not until I've found another mint 88-90 KX500 like the one I fell for and turned by back on her and walked away from with a big looser sign on my back.

Still can't believe I didn't snap that stunner up, and I still have no idea what I would have done with it?