OMG!!! they made a Limited Edition (LE) model that has the 500 engine stuffed into a CR125 frame!!!
From the Transworld Motocross site's test of the LE version!
When I fired her up for the first time, I heard a sound that was meaner, crisper, and deeper than most of the new school MX kids have even heard in their lives. You don't even need to ride it to know that this bike is no joke in the power department. I immediately threw my leg over and set out to hunt down the perfect spot for Swap's Canon to capture this beast. On the track I gained immediate respect for the fierce power of the Service Honda 500. The power rolls on smoothly at first, but it doesn't take long before the mid-range hit comes on so abruptly that even seasoned riders get a case of white knuckle. The cure? Up shift! I know… Sounds crazy to up shift on a bike that has more power than most of us know what to do with, but that's the only way to smooth this baby out. Once adjusted to the delivery of the strong powerband, I had an absolute blast on this bike. The hardest part was adjusting to how much more quickly you approach the jumps and corners. I found myself having to look farther ahead on the track than usual, much like driving a shifter kart.
Coming into corners much faster was a fairly easy task to handle, however, with the incredible turning capability of the CR500. The stout CR500 powerplant nestled inside of a CR125 chassis allows for quick turning and great predictability when diving into ruts, and delivers an unexpected lightness for a 500. The MX Tech Kayaba suspension felt solid, but the rougher-than-usual Cahuilla track made fine-tuning extremely difficult. With three different test riders taking turns on the bike, suspension settings remained the way they were when the bike was received from Service Honda. For me, the bike felt slightly rigid and wouldn't settle into a straight line when tracking through the braking bumps. Overall though, I felt like I could make some minor adjustments to the suspension and this thing would be magical. Although I felt slower and less able to be aggressive on the bike the way it was set up, my lap times were actually a little over one second faster than those on our modified CRF450R. I guess big power actually does make big gains!
After riding the Service Honda CR500AF Limited Edition you'll be throwing the rest of your bikes around like an XR50. The ride-ability of the big two-stroke definitely varies depending on the rider, however. The 500 requires a great deal of patience and smooth riding. For those of you who have chronic arm pump, the Epstein-Barr virus, or a Supercross-only contract, this is not the bike for you. I would recommend this bike to anyone who can afford an extra practice/play bike, or for the regular sand rider or desert-goers: This bike's for you! Unfortunately, buying a 500 for race purposes would be very disappointing now that the class is all but extinct at most local racetracks. Although… The Mammoth Motocross is right around the corner. Ahh… I can see the holeshots now!
2004 CR500AF Specifications
ENGINE
Engine Type: 500cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, two-stroke
Bore and Stroke: 89mm x 79mm
Compression Ratio: 6.8:1
Induction: Eight petal reed valve
Carburetion: 39mm flat-slide
DRIVE TRAIN
Transmission: Close-ratio five-speed
Final Drive: #520 chain; 14T/48T
CHASSIS / SUSPENSION / BRAKES
Front Suspension: 46mm inverted Kayaba cartridge fork with 18-position rebound and 20-position compression damping adjustability; 12.0 inches of travel
Rear Suspension: Pro Link Kayaba single shock with spring preload, 30-position rebound damping adjustability, and compression damping adjustment separated into low speed (18 positions) and high speed (2.0 turns); 12.5 inches travel.
Front Brake: Single 240mm disc with twin-piston caliper
Rear Brake: Single 240mm disc
Front Tire: 80/100-21
Rear Tire: 110/90-19
DIMENSIONS
Rake: 29.53 degrees
Trail: 101.3mm
Wheelbase: 57.4 inches
Seat Height: 37.3 inches
Ground Clearance: 13.6 inches
Dry Weight: 213.8 pounds
Fuel Capacity: 2.0 gallons
OTHER
Available Colors: White
Model ID: CR500AF Limited Edition
Price: $9,630
The Truth!
Average Lap Times:
CR500AF Limited Edition VS. CRF450R
CR500AF LE
Donn Maeda: 158.69
Mitchell Bailey: 153.44
Ryan Cooley: 149.03
CRF450R
Donn Maeda: 159.06
Mitchell Bailey: 155.12
Ryan Cooley: 153.78
Also the CR500AFX LE pictured below comes with a 500watt stator to power plenty of lights and comes with a LED tail light and Halogen headlight.
Maximus! this bike gives me WOOD! ... I'm sick
I CANT HAVE ONE! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA