#motocross #motorcycle #review
Honda stopped producing their CR500 two-stroke in 2001, but guys like AJ Waggoner and companies like MX-Tech Suspension and Built500 are still keeping the CR two-stroke models alive by creating suspension, engine cases, and more to shoehorn CR engines into modern-day chassis. In this video, we test some awesome CR125, CR250, and CR500 two-strokes, all customized to fit into modern-day aluminum Honda frames. Plus, we talk to Jeremy Wilkey of MX-Tech Suspension, AJ Waggoner of Built500 and Pete Payne of HDR Engines.
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Bro this channel really got me into bikes. I just bought my first bike yesterday. It’s a 2007 ttr230. I am 15 so this was a big deal for me. Thanks mxa for getting me into this amazing sport!!!!
Hell yeah brother. Let er rip💪🏼
Awesome!! Great reliable bike. Enjoy!
Welcome in the dirt bike community.😉
Enjoy riding for the rest of your life young man!
Congrats!
To the young man that just bought his first dirt bike, the TTR 230 - Congrats!! And keep that air filter properly cleaned and oiled!! This is something you may have to do often (daily if riding in dusty conditions) Oh and I just bought my 112th motorcycle in November - welcome to the family
I would like to see the look on a young guys face that becomes very comfortable on a Yamaha TTR 230 air cooled Four Stroke, and then set them on a CR500... Its like Night and Day, honestly there for many years you could get a CR500 pretty cheap because so many guys thought they wanted one until they had, and realized the thing is a monster.
Dude literally my first bike was an 08 ttr 230! Lol but it didn't take long till I just wanted a 250! 2 or 4 stroke! Mainly wanted a 450 tho!
Rode 2 strokes since I was 14. Bought a 450 4stroke, quickly sold it and got back on a cr250 and I’ve never looked back! Great vid!
Four strokes just aren't the same! I can't live without the sounds and smells that come from a two stroke!
Nothing like the smell of pre mix in the morning. Had a debat years ago in the pub when the 450 came out. A 450 four stroke will not out power a 500cc cr. Had to go prove it
Happy to see the European manufacturers and Yamaha still doing well with 2 stroke sales. I've owned at least one Honda since the first Elsinores until they stopped making 2 strokes and have left the brand because of it.
I'm planning to move out of the US and into a two stroke friendly country. Land of the free my ass
Well i've new Honda 2 strokes for the last 27 years :) Built500
Lucky enough to have a 2008 cr500af built by service Honda, aka AJ Waggoner. 1995 cr500 motor in a 2008 crf450 chassis.
I've no idea who did mine. It is a '97KX500 motor in a CRF250R chassis.
Best 4s chassis Honda ever made.
I hope Honda sees this and realizes they are missing out on a dedicated long term market
Ive been building them.since 1997, and they are well.aware the thousand of units ( and parts). we putchased from.them over the decades :)
Back before most of you were born (assuming ;) ....I raced a YZ125 and YZ250. At the Sunday tracks I raced the 125 class, 250 class and then rode the 125 in the Open class where any size bike could be raced. The 500cc guys always got pissed when I blew them away (usually in the corners). Point is, depending on the track, a 125cc bike can be deadly.
Back in the 90’s, I had the fastest lap time at a local practice track on a 125.
Go back to 1986's MXDN - when Johnny O'Mara (on his 125 - first year of the AMA production rule) beat David Thorpe (then 500 MXGP champion) on his Honda RC500 works bike.
I raced a 125 Pursang in the early 70's and we often had the fastest lap times at places like Carlsbad and Saddleback. Funest of times.
I remember the days when 125's could be the fastest bike at the track, if conditions were just right for it. That flickability has a lot of value on an MX track.
Remember with the introduction of the 1974 Honda CR125 Elsinore to the dealerships in late July/early August of 73 it was as potent if not quicker in lap times than many 250's manufactured in 73-74. 81 Maico 490 may be one of the greatest dirt bikes ever manufactured but the 74 CR125 was just as great and far more influential.
1:22 for the first time in decades i remember the sound (and some of the nerves!) of being on the start line😃 I've watched countless 125 videos yet somehow this one did it!
Why honda isn’t doing this themselves is beyond me, they’d sell like crack if they did make em. The video is awesome and much appreciated. Thank you.
Whoever is running Honda isn't that smart they've never listened to their customers Fired Ricky Carmichael for saying the CRs slow instead of fixing it. Carmichael wanted to retire on a Honda. They quit making all but 2 sport quads the 90 and 250ex or whatever its called now
They helped me out in years oast and akso purchased about ten of my bikes 🤷♂️
Saweeeet. I owned a 125 250 and a 500 at the same time. 2001 YZ125 1992 RMX250 and a '87/'93 KX500. Technically the 125 was my sons. Rode the track twice a week and hit the desert about once a month. Everyone needs to ride. In my opinion.
the 250 sounds crisp
Cannot wait to build my own CR500AF!
Do it!
They are getting a bit expensive these days. It's cheaper to just go for a 300cc 2 stroke and work one of them, they are pretty similar power characteristics just they have a bit better bottom end power than the cr500's. But it all depends what your wanting to build one for if your just building a bike to ride it's not really worth it $ wise but if you're doing it as a long term investment that's a different story but each to their own you don't need my approval 😂
@@aaronaaron3003 For me this would be a long term bike, I’m a big Honda guy, I really love the how the cockpit of my newer gen Honda feels compared to a lot of other bikes I’ve ridden and to me it’s one of the sexiest MX bikes on the market right now. I’d be building it as a Glamis machine, and I think it would be right at home at Glamis
We can help you out if interested, as while out main out put is new turn key bikes,we donoffer convertong a customers frame/rads /aitbix/exhaust. Built500 Built250 Built125
Honda 125, brings back memories ❤
That 500 will punch you in the mouth if you ain’t careful. Freakin awesome to see those bikes.
Thanks for the awesome video!
Finishing up my 500AF BUILD can’t wait!
All I can say is... Fizzing in the crotchill region. Especially that 500. Epic sound! Si, Christchurch, NZ.
I own a Limited Edition Service Honda. A 2006 frame 125cc CR Honda. It has all the bling. I love it in the deep sand in the "PIT" at Croom, FL. Other then that, I've been there and that with CR 500's. I am a pro and I will tell you there no better bike on planet earth then an XC KTM 300.
Great video. Thank you for the professional and informative review guys. Cheers!
I used to so look forward to my new MXA coming in the mail back in the early nineties. Wish I kept all those old rags.
I no most semi experienced riders go 250 and above but I love the sound of a 125 screamer, looked and rode a 90,s rm 250 and the 125. Ended up with a early 90's greg albertyn replica 125. It's more than enough for an amateur like myself.... I wanted a cr but for the price I paid and condition of the rm compared with the cr it was a no brainer. Mine is a genuine survivor bike. No leaks anywhere and it's a 100% original survivor bike.
Big Bore 2 stroke staying aliveee!!!
2 strokes will ALWAYS be more fun than 4 strokes. I wasn't a believer growing up, but after riding a 85, I am hooked
I remember the service Honda cr500 af test. I was on a 95 cr125 at the time
Awesome bikes and vid boys!
Man, those things are jetted mean. No smoke at all on those WOT passes.
Best video in a while good job
Bring back the 2 stroke
Huge fan of AJ and the CR 500 AF but unfortunately won’t own another one. Absolutely loved my custom ordered 2005 CR 500 AF but unfortunately these days the cost has gotten out of control. I’ll take my CRF 450R works edition with EFI and electric start over the 20k plus CR500 AF right now without a doubt.
Costs are an issue. When honda dropped parts, it made a huge difference in engine costs ,once we hade to produce 70% of the engine, the new 450 bikes we purchase as the start of the bike also increased dramatically. Ive got a works edition on the slab to chop up currently, then we will have 10k into the new 500 motor and another 6 k into parts and labor. Not trying to say they arnt exoensive ,tgey are, jist beyond my cibtrol.as far as pr7ducing new ones and staying solvent. Thee margin in these is quite slkm. Noone else would bother. And as you see noone has as far as producing actual new priduction bikes, for less. 🤷♂️ I do fully understand your point though ,trust me. Wish it coukd ge the old days of getting crated engines from honda. The flip sode is we do offer utilizing a customers refurbished 500 engine ,and that can make a builds cost lower.
The 125 is definitely my favorite. Love a small piston screaming smoker.
Would have been cool to compare lap times of the three bikes or line them all up for a 5 lap race. Even throw in some new 250 and 450 4-strokes and let them go head to head with the 2-strokes here. Gawd I love these 2-strokes and great video here MXA thanks for keeping it alive!
It was a cool day and it was greatvworking with MXA , jist nit enough time to do everything :)
Nevermind closed course, a CR and i could have some memorable times exploring the Mojave and playing dirtbikes the way they should play! Freedom of dirtplay.
Congrats to all these guys!! I want the 125, would love to ride the 250, and would just admire the 500!
Damn shame Honda stopped 2 stroke technology. Dumb.
I owe my entire career to Honda and Honda Racing, as a older guy I still remember the stories of Mr. Honda himself saying, " we will NEVER build a 2 stroke motorcycle ". True story.
I absolutely love that people are upgrading some older 2 strokes I to newer frames. This is stuff dreams are made of!!
Thanks,been doing this for 27 years :) Built500
Starting the CR500 engine is way easier than what you're doing in the video. After many years of fighting cold start, an old CR500 racer told me the trick to get them started on the first kick even when cold. Slowly take it to top dead center and ease it just past TDC and then give it a quick smooth kick and she'll light right up! Try it and you'll be amazed how much easier it is. I've used it on 1986, 1993, and 1997 year engines and it works great.
aj is the man‼️‼️‼️
I got excited was about to call On the Edge and order a new CR500
I got so excited when I saw the title. Why can't somebody just make a new 500?!
We do make new 500s , for the last 27 years, they are new bikes, chassis and engine. Built500. :)
@andrewwaggoner1831 you do beautiful work brother, thank you for keeping them alive. Unfortunately a casual like myself has a hard time justifying the price tag (to my wife :) I should have written why doesn't an OEM make them.
@andrewwaggoner1831 Have you ever considered partnering with other manufacturers like BRC and gpx to make your own 500? I often wonder why nobody produces a 500 when there appears to be a market for them. Several boutique brands produce 300 smokers but don't make its big bore counterpart.
@@McNamEvanI do work with those companies ;). In general they make kits,kit engines, not full engines or full bikes. We actially make New production 500cc bikes. Our 500 engines are new, we make the cases,cranks,trans gears, shafts,shift forks, etc, other parts like new cylinders are still purchased from Honda,although we are in the process of making those as well. As far as BRC we have colloborated prior, and currently ,on various parts and youll likely see that increase over time. Keep in mind we have been building new production Honda based 500s for 27 years now,since 1997. Some of these newer iriterations of big bore kits for other brands are fairly recent in comparison, and they initially reached out to us ... so as that relationship continues so will the amount of colloborating projects. :) Built500
that five hundo, oh man!...that throaty pipe goin up the hills....had a 87 CR500.....if they could counterbalance the motor with electric start and a 6 spd for the dez.....an mx, xc version.....it would sell i am sure, all of em would
ive got a very similar vortex x10 cdi on my trx 250r..its bad ass. AJ is the man. i got a set if his billet shift shafts.
Best & coolest test ever. Mxa is creative & Awesome. 3 Geniuses Jeremy showed me pistons he designed in 98 at CMJ in Wi. What Jeremy makes now is mind bending. AJ at Service Honda goes back to 99. They mailed ya 35 mm pics of the 500 back then. Larocco raced the 99 at a Red Bud race. The 125 trans sounds like a lot of work, Thx Va. guy for getting r done. I hv the cases on my 04 cr125 split now. Getting the trans tumbled. Cylinder is the last LL championship cr125 Tara Gieger replica ported 04. Super fun bike Very quick with a strong & long mid @ 57 racing a stacked 125 class in Wi. Should b a blast . Curious how the 04 stacks up against the 24,s. I know it handles better .
Damn i just died and went to heaven seeing these beautiful machines
Thanks!
These bikes are true works of art. Out of my $ range for sure
Super nice video... killer roostin shots showin the power !
Oh yeah way to go, best bike I had was a worked CR500! Just a hold on and a go machine!
It doesn't matter if that 125 is slow. It's fun to ride a slow bike fast & wide open.😁The biggest mistake the Japanese companies made was dropping 2 strokes from their production. They are finding this out now with the big resurgence of 2 stroke demand. I'm sure that CR500 has scary power. That really is a dream setup to put that engine in a modern chassis with modern suspension. Props to these guys for doing this. Props for bringing them on your channel.
Thanks!
Wished my 99 CR125 sounded and ran like that.
The Dream trio bike to own ❤
I got admit amount of fan of Honda, but they are two strokes and that new 500 with that cone pipe is a bomb❤❤
Thank you!
@@andrewwaggoner1831 and I also got to say Andrew that I’m a 125 rider and I agree with you 125s are the bomb they sound the best and I think at 1:25 would be even better if you put a cone pipe on it
Awesome video and dirtbikes!!! That pipe on the cr500 is awesome!!! Two Strokes 4 Ever : )
Best 2 stroke Honda. But there all good. I after 20 years wanted try new flavors. I have new ktm ok. But I got a 02 rm250!!!! Want a 125 because I never had one. But a 250, always find me.
Very impressive bikes and what the pros should be racing which is true race bikes. That being said the real hero’s will be getting the rules changed and reversed back to 2 strokes. For those that don’t think it can happen don’t help. For those that love the 4 strokes can’t help. We need to find a way to show the AMA and manufacturers that we want our motocross back. I agree with the build of the new bikes as far as frame and suspension but they have to be 2 stroke. This crap has now gone on for 17 years or so. It’s sickening. It does take more skill to ride a 2 stroke but that’s part of what motocross is about and with new technology they can be built even better than the best CR250 we had before 07’.
Loved this
I like the Japanese dirt bikes and street bikes the best , back in the day they were so awesome and still are , the Japanese make a lot of great products a ton of good stuff don't get me wrong I really like Husqvarna and KTM as well I even had a Husqvarna once but I just love the Japanese dirt bikes they are awesome and I love the two strokes over the four strokes , they sound way meaner and have different power bands I think the two strokes are a lot more ballsy and have better power bands but that's just my opinion and better for jumping as well !!! But in my book for dirt bikes and street bikes and car's and trucks and generators I'm going with the Japanese made products personally !!! I haven't ridden for year's due to health problems but if I still could ride I would be on a Japanese made bike for sure !!! It's awesome people are still keeping the two strokes alive !!! These three custom bikes those old timers put together kick ass and look and sound great !!!
I was hoping MXA would comment on the performance of the MX tech suspension???!
They really liked it, i feel.they will get into more deoth in the print version
That 500 👌🏼🤯
AJ, still killing it with the 2 Strokes!!!
Thank you!
Just missing a 2T CRF125RB & have one of those 😀 Cool bikes all three!
Sick looking and sounding bike loving the graphics on the 125 & 250 good job. 2-strokes all the way 💨💨💨
Keeping 2 strokes alive!! 🤘 Get some
We have tried for 27 years :)
Merci les gars pour cette vidéo et cet essai hors normes ! On se rend bien compte que vous avez bien dû vous amuser et ça fait plaisir à voir. Quant à la 500 cc elle sera toujours dans mon coeur. Love you.
This is amazing! I would love a bike from them!
The AMA needs to allow the 250 2stroke to race the 250 4stroke like Australia & Canada were allowing
I remember racing at glen helen on one of the dirtbike games back in the day and watching them test here alot of it looks familiar
Amazing video for us old school 2 stroke racers - I haven’t been into dirt bikes / racing them in 20 years. How would it look in current days if they paired 250 2 strokes with 250 4 strokes Instead of the 125 2 stroke / 250 4 stroke pairing they ended up doing which was not fair from what I’ve read in any way. And what about pairing the 500 2 strokes with the 450 4 strokes would it be closer or still no comparison because of how much 4 strokes have excelled over the years?
Its actually still very very close. ;)
Love 2 strokes and even more Honda Cr 2 strokes
If only this was the real world we lived in. When men were men and rode two strokes. Instead of getting excited about plugging their dirt bike into the wall next to their hair dryers while putting on makeup.
Wut? Lol...
People like you are so funny..
@MitchellCamps I know, your mom thinks so, too champ.
@@chetmanley7209 You put the comma in the wrong place, champ.
Mine is plugged into next to the dryer to dry my scro Beard......
I love this line up🍻🍻💯💯💯
Sick! I’m still rocking old school steel frame 96’ cr250 with procircuit susp, and lots of bolt ons, And just got done building a 94’ cr250 with full blown racetech susp and tons of bolt on accessories. I love old school. I was eyeing some late model crf450 rollers on eBay, they make motor mounts to throw in old cr250 motors. But i just love my 90s bikes. And the cost to built a new bike off a roller is $$$. $4500 plus shipping is the cheapest roller I found. cr250 motors are getting expensive now too. They are all several thousand and look pretty well used. I’ll keep dreaming on getting something like these built one day. For the time being I’ll gladly rock my nice 90s machines
I'm glad a 500cc 2stroke is back 😎 we been left wanting 😎🔥😎
Thanks! I actually never stopped making them since 1997. We have made thousands of brand new CR500AFs over the last 27 yeaes :) Built500
Aj is a wizard
Screamerssss 🦅
Dam that cr500 seems like a 450 killer but aj Waggoner I'll have to remember that name. All those guys built some awsome machines
Thanks! Been making them since 1997. ( service honda/built500) I made Jeremey all 3 of these bikes Built125,Built250,and Built500
I've been wanting to make my 2022 frf 250 rx into a 6 speed. Does anyone know if it's possible I assume it is in some way, isn't the 2022 and up crf 250x a 6 speed ? I know my friend made a 07 crf 250r into a 6 speed using parts from the 6 speed 125
What a beautiful bike 😍
Thanks!
That 500 is pulling!
That 125 😮💨🤤
NICE! I wonder where 2-stroke technology would be today if Japan hadn't given up on it. Yeah, we have Yamaha and many Euro 2-t's, but more competition would've made them waay better.
Spent lots of time on a YZ490 and a WR500. Been riding an 07 YZ250 since 2010. All my big bores are gone.
2 Stroke ❤️🇯🇵💪
Really, really nice video
U guys should try and get a factory yz125 and yz250 2 stroke from star
Mos' gets it on the 1st kick😂😂😂😂😂you gonna race a national again this year Mr badass?
Hope he does!!
I wonder why Lectron carbs on the 125 and 250? Were the stock carbs worn out, or is the Lectron that much better than the Keihin that used to come on them?
Lectron is good, SmartCarb is the best, though. Both are better than Mikuni or Keihin (even new ones.)
@@HorsepowerHouse The Lectron Pro Series outperforms those in every measurable way.
Im surprised the engine builder didn’t mention anything about it…sponsor, personal choice, the best carb ! Great product obviously
@@julienverchere1548 I have used both the Lectron and SmartCarb on my YZ250. I did much testing & tuning with both carbs. The SmartCarb is "expensive" but better than all the rest.
The guys that just spent $650 on a carb will always swear by them. The TMX and PWK outperform on the track and the dyno. Don't drink the kool-aid.
I understand LED performance makes a big bore power valve CR-350 with a CP cylinder.
AJ is the man.
Thanks ! Im just like anyone else that digs working on dirt bikes 🤷♂️😊
Ya last time I cracked the cases on my cr 500... I sold it. Dam near impossible to find un repaired cases. It was around 1,500.00 a case side for their billet cases. Had my right side case that always cracks welded up. Re machined as needed. Didn't last long lol.
Its $1700 for a full set of billet cases . (Not per side) But yes its a tad pricey,but they also never break. :) Built500
Tomasin T500 is a more modern Honda cr500, it would be great to see it tested!
Imagine if they were still building 500cc 2 strokes.
you can buy a modern one just not made by Honda and such
I never stopped ,since 1997. :) Built500
I'm curious how the 500 compares to modern 350 2T kits and modern 4Ts. overall of course, but I'm particularly curious about weight/feel. is weight a significant advantage against modern 4Ts anymore? what's the power delivery like? back in the day, I found the 500s power mostly unusable (see below). side note: I was a B-rider in the mid-90s, and I thought the CR 250 was more than enough power for anything a B-rider could do. And the CR 500 was just...sign a waiver before you ride it. holy cow. why would anyone ever need this engine an an MX track? I almost killed myself on my father's at Budd's Creek. 😄
The modern 450 is still better than the 500 2T. There are countless videos about them against each other.
@@HorsepowerHouse yeah. I'm more interested in establishing a bar by which I can compare this particular bike with it's "factory" suspension, new frame, does it still come on like a bat out of hell? etc.
@@danegwhen the mags did a transponded lap time test ( several years back) The 500 was faster laps than a 450 when ridden by pro riders . Signifucantelybfaster like 2 to 3 seconds average. The pro was on his personal crf450 so he should have been faster in his own bike, with suspension set for him,but he wasnt. Intermediate riders were generally faster on the 500, by about 1 secing ,or they were dead even. All novice riders were faster in the 450. So skill level was a factor. And noone would ever transponder test again. Thing is factory teams woud literally kill to gain 0.5 seconds a lap average. So 3 seconds is inssme to them.as far as same rider same track same day.
Two stroke... WOW!
Nothing better than listening to some old fashion two smokers !!
IF only I had a spare 60K to have all 3 in my stable. Nevermind... I'd rather have 6 pristine 81 Maico 490's or 4 79 Fox suspeded Honda Mugen 360's or 5 beautiful 1974 YZ 360's or 7 immaculate 1974.5 Ossa 250 Phantoms or 6 correctly restored 74 CR250 Elsinore's or 4 authentic 1980 Mugen CR125 Johnny O's or 6 1975 CZ400 Falta Replicas or 4 OEM 73 Maico 501's or 5 choice 1966 Husqvarna 360 Cross's or 5 spiffy 1974 YZ250 A's or 3 1974-1980 CCM open classes or maybe a tank off one of McQueens Husky's. Probably forgot a few from brands SWM's, Montessa, Penton, Cagiva, Derbi, Bultaco,Hodaka and AMF Aermacchi/Harley as an investment!
Sure all great bikes to have ;) Fantastic list!
Beautiful bikes man ...
Thanks!
The Motocross.. The Real One.
Honda has to get back into the 2 stroke game. It’d be awesome to see them compete with the tpi bikes.
Cool!!!
I wonder why they chose a 98 engine. I ride a 98 and swapped it with a 96 and it was a breath of fresh air, 98s were dogs compared to the gen before and after it.
Parts availability?
You mean the.125? That had a different cylinder on it and 6 speed trans
Interesting. I'd like to know what the cost was to get these bikes set up. I've got 250 hours plus riding time on the KX500. Always bought them new, still got my '04. Have you guys spent any real time on a 500 ? I've owned them for over 23 years. Thanks for the post
We build them.daily :) Built500
If you can start it you can ride it….common round here in 90s with ones of us with 500s…