YZ490 vs. CR500 vs. KX500
Will Wilson
power, suspension, handling, and reliability? What are the prices of
these bikes now.
Thanks
Will Wilson
wils...@direct.ca
'77 DT500
'79 YZ250(blown)
'73 CB350
'82 YT175
'78 ET250
'74 T'NT440
C3Hammer
Putt, putt, putt, putt and your busting big! If you can find one in nice
shape, I'd jump on it. Maybe around $1800 to $2200 for a good one.
Pete Carney
c3ha...@verts.com
"Will Wilson" <wils...@direct.ca> wrote in message
news:391B78...@direct.ca...
MVCronk
wrote:
>How do the mid to late '80s YZ490, CR500, and KX compare in terms of
>power, suspension, handling, and reliability? What are the prices of
>these bikes now.
>Thanks
It a bit involved, but the short of it is that each of these makes, in
the early 80's had short lived production runs with evil motors. I
can't recall all the details - best get a list together of available
bikes and then post to RMD for comments.
ie the 82(?) CR500 had a bad engine, I think it was generally accepted
that the head design was poor and pinged all the time. I think they
had it cleaned up by about 84(?).
Try to hold off until disk brakes appeared, they make a huge
difference. Front more so than the rear.
Good luck
Mark
92CR5
Simmonsmc
>that the head design was poor and pinged all the time. I think they
>had it cleaned up by about 84(?).
>
I know for a fact this was exactly the case with the YZ 490 , im not sure about
the CR perhaps you have them mixed up, im also not sure yamahe ever fixed the
flawed head but several aftermarket companies did.
Mike Simmons
99 KTM 300 MXC
AMA Dist.36
MVCronk
wrote:
Now that you mention it, I think you are correct. However, I am
pretty sure the aircooled 480 to lq 500 transition years had similar
problems.
Mark
brian goodby
retail of $675! I would maybe go a grand for one in perfect shape.
Brian the Old.
Tom Hall
YZ490(all years) blubbered down low and detonated on top and had an insane
topend hit, KX500 had suspect reliability until 1988. If I had to choose I
would look for a clean 1988 or newer CR500, the other 2 bikes were big
problems, I rode/raced all of them. Oh, I almost forgot, the 1989 KX500 was
a pretty good bike with good suspension, power, and reliability, it would be
a good choice to.. A really clean model of either could be had for
$1000-$1500. You might find one cheaper, but I would be scared of those.
Anyone who has taken care of their bikes will know they are worth the $1000+
they are asking.
Tom Hall (the penguin)
--
Will Wilson <wils...@direct.ca> wrote in message
news:391B78...@direct.ca...
> How do the mid to late '80s YZ490, CR500, and KX compare in terms of
> power, suspension, handling, and reliability? What are the prices of
> these bikes now.
> Thanks
>
Wesley Grass
|> On Thu, 11 May 2000 20:22:12 -0700, Will Wilson <wils...@direct.ca>
|> wrote:
|>
|> >power, suspension, handling, and reliability? What are the prices of
|> >these bikes now.
|>
|> that the head design was poor and pinged all the time. I think they
|> had it cleaned up by about 84(?).
82 and 83 *480's* were OK. 84 was the bad one, last of the air cooled motors.
|> Try to hold off until disk brakes appeared, they make a huge
|> difference. Front more so than the rear.
|>
|> Good luck
|>
|>
|> Mark
|> 92CR5
--
All this is for CR500's, BTW:
87 is the best of the "old" ones, first year with rear disc, and last year
of the original wide ratio tranny. 93 was the first year of the new wide ratio
tranny. The in betweens, 89-92 are close ratio. Great for MX or tight woods,
but useless everywhere else.
Wes
Vogt Family
>
> How do the mid to late '80s YZ490, CR500, and KX compare in terms of
> power, suspension, handling, and reliability? What are the prices of
> these bikes now.
I got my '88 CR500 mfor $1000. That is probably what it is worth on the
real market. NADA and Kelley go way off when you get that far back.
The way I have always heard it the motor was the same from '88 on up but
the frame changed and has been the same from '89 most notably USD
forks. I have both disks. As for forks and frame I really don't care
because I don't air it on purpose but if I do it on accident the bike
will eat it right up provided I don't make it fall.
I would stay away from the 490 unless, like me, you want one for the
history-shock value-whatever. Not to ride on.
Birken
'88 CR500
Michael Stembridge
>>the CR perhaps you have them mixed up, im also not sure yamahe ever fixed the
>>flawed head but several aftermarket companies did.
>
>Now that you mention it, I think you are correct. However, I am
>pretty sure the aircooled 480 to lq 500 transition years had similar
>problems.
According to Dirt Bike the '84 CR500 was completely and utterly
wretched (much like the '81-85 KX420/500 and just about every YZ490).
---
Back to the original post...
If you find a real nice 88-89 YZ490, don't let it pass consideration.
The 89 in particular had very good suspension (stock) - it was the
motor that held it back
Kawasaki got the KX500 cleaned up by 87. It went through some
signifigant changes through 90, which remains basically the same
machine as the 2000 model.
Honda's CR500 was the bike to have 86-87. The '87's shock left a
little to be diesired, but overall a great bike. The 88 model almost
won the shootout, but Kawasaki made an even better bike that year (and
in 89).
As far as cost goes, it really depends on the year and condition.
Unless you have a mint bike, don't spend more than $2000 for a
mid-late eighties open bike. $1500 should get you a nice bike.
Good luck!
- Michael
88 KX500
Atlanta, GA
The Georgia Off Road website:
www.georgiaoffroad.com
MVCronk
(Michael Stembridge) wrote:
>>>I know for a fact this was exactly the case with the YZ 490 , im not sure about
>>>the CR perhaps you have them mixed up, im also not sure yamahe ever fixed the
>>>flawed head but several aftermarket companies did.
>>
>>Now that you mention it, I think you are correct. However, I am
>>pretty sure the aircooled 480 to lq 500 transition years had similar
>>problems.
>
>According to Dirt Bike the '84 CR500 was completely and utterly
>wretched (much like the '81-85 KX420/500 and just about every YZ490).
>
>
Good recap of the open class development misfires.
Mark