Unboxing a brand new 2001 Honda CR500

This must feel like finding buried treasure.

Honda cr500 2001

All the way back in 1984 Honda introduced the first iteration of the legendary CR500, fittingly nicknamed the ‘Ping King’. Back then its 491cc 2 stroke motor was pushing out a ridiculous 60-64 HP, but in 2001 when the CR500 was discontinued the HP had mellowed to around 56. The CR's power figure is enough to rival new off-road bikes today, but that’s not what made the ‘Ping King’ so special.

What made the CR500 so unique was the way it ripped around an MX track or open field. The humongous 38mm flatside carb, the brutally small power band, and a weight of 101kg made the bike accelerate like a rocket ship. And much like the fragrance by Diesel ‘only the brave’ would ride it, as the throttle was like an on/off switch.

These guys from Full Force Racing Components were lucky enough to find a brand new 2001 model, still in its original crate. What would you do with it? Polish it or rip it?

Full Specs

Specifications
DIMENSIONSOverall length2183 mm / 85,9 in – CR500 (1992-1993)
 
2185 mm / 86,0 in – CR500 (1994)
 
2179 mm / 85,8 in – CR500 (1995+)
Overall width825 mm / 32,5 in – CR500 (1992-1994)
 
835 mm / 32,9 in – CR500 (1995+)
Overall height1240 mm / 48,8 in – CR500 (1992-1994)
 
1237 mm /48,7 in – CR500 (1995+)
Seat height964 mm / 38,0 in – CR500 (1992-1993)
 
961 mm / 37,8 in – CR500 (1994)
 
937 mm / 36,9 in – CR500 (1995+)
Wheelbase1489 mm / 58,6 in – CR500 (1992-1993)
 
1491 mm / 58,7 in – CR500 (1994)
 
1485 mm / 58,5 in – CR500 (1995+)
Ground clearance343 mm / 13,5 in – CR500 (1992-1993)
 
341 mm / 13,4 in – CR500 (1994)
 
328 mm / 12,9 in – CR500 (1995+)
Dry weight101 kg / 222,7 lbs
Curb (wet) weight 
FRAMETypeSemi double-cradle (steel)
Front suspension, travelTelescopic fork – CR500 (1984-1988)
 
Inverted telescopic fork (adjustable) , 310 mm / 12,2 in – CR500 (1989+)
Rear suspension, travelSwingarm Pro-link with mono-shock (adjustable), 320 mm / 12,6 in
Front tire size80/100-21 51M
Rear tire size110/100-18 64M
Front brakeSingle disc, 2-piston caliper
Rear brakeDrum – CR500 (1984-1986)
 
Single disc, 1-piston caliper – CR500 (1987+)
Fuel capacity9,0 l / 2,38 US gal
Trail119 mm / 4,7 in – CR500 (1992-1993)
 
121 mm / 4,8 in – CR500 (1994)
 
114 mm / 4,5 in – CR500 (1995+)
Fuel economy 
ENGINETypeAir-cooled 2-stroke – CR500 (1984)
 
Water-cooled 2-stroke – CR500 (1985+)
Cylinder arrangementSingle cylinder
Bore & Stroke89,0 x 79,0 mm
Displacement491,4 cm³ (29,9 cu-in)
Compression ratio6.8:1
Valve train 
Max. power64,6 hp (47,5 kW) / 6000 rpm
Max. torque72,2 Nm (7,3 kgm) / 6000 rpm – CR500 (1985-1992)
 
75,6 Nm (7,7 kgm) / 6000 rpm – CR500 (1993+)
0 to 100 km/h 
Top speed 
CARBURETION SYSTEMTypeCarburetor, 1x 38 mm
ID 
DRIVE TRAINClutchWet, multi-plate
Transmission5-speed constant mesh
Final driveChain
Primary reduction2.52
Final reduction3.5
Gear ratio 
 1.75
I 
 1.388
II 
 1.15
III 
 1.000 (1984-1992); 0.955 (1993+)
IV 
 0.870 (1984-1992); 0.792 (1993+)
V 
ELECTRICALIgnitionCDI
Alternator 
Battery capacity 

Honda CB500x Review 2019