wich 500 is the best CR, KX, (rm?)

**Darius1502** · 02-15-2006, 01:18 AM

Here is an interesting comparison of the CR 500, KX 500 and the KTM 550 on repeated runs up a very wet sand dune at St. Anthony's. This is where true HP is measured. Riders all tried each bike. This is from my buddy over at the 550 thead at KTMtalk.com:

Here is a big dune that is called Devils Dune. It doesn't look it from the picture but it is long and steep. The lower turnouts about halfway up the hill are from Buddy's cousin Ty and his 250. The turnouts that are about 80% up the hill are from Buddy and Bill's 500s. The turnouts at the very top of the dune are from me and my 550. I had them himarked by 30 feet. The sand was very wet and climbing took a bunch of power. There was a dune down there that I couldn't make it over this particular time because it was so soft at the top. After I sunk it up there I found out why it was so soft. There was a layer of about six inches of snow and sand was piled on top of that.

**RideRed250R** · 02-15-2006, 01:33 AM

the ktm.... i have ridden before... AnD HANDLES LIKE CRAZY... closes to a CR500AF from factory... .they SCREAM but i do put them under parts availiblity SUCKS.... try getting KTM parts lol
Adam

**Darius1502** · 02-15-2006, 01:55 AM

Parts are easy....just slightly expensive. Pistons kits are $200 bucks.

Great bikes and enjoy em while you can!! Actually parts are not that bad and the motors run forever!!

I have friend that went 7 racing seasons on the original top end. He was a desert racer.

It always helps to have a spare 550 laying around:

Seriously though...just let me blabber a bit. I totally love these bikes and the Quadzilla. I'll keep going on and on. Just someone shut me up please!!

**3Razors** · 02-15-2006, 02:31 AM

I love my LT500 also!!! Really fun and the power is addicting! They dont make em like they used too. lol

As far as more power between the kx ans cr, I have raced lots of cr500 based trikes and quads but never been beat by one of those on my kx trike.

**dufrain** · 02-15-2006, 02:07 PM

Man that KTM looks good with the updated plastic.Mine was the purple and white with an fmf pipe.Guy that were used to the fastest street bikes would take it for a spin and about have an ulcer when they came back.Its the only bike I ever had that would compress the shock an inch by blipping the throttle.The cr500s I have ridden werent even close.My Old cr480 felt like a 250 compared to the ktm. A guy would probably have a hard time finding a 550 to get the motor out of for a 3 wheeler but it would be a rocket ship .

**2strokes4life** · 02-15-2006, 02:23 PM

id stick with the KX or CR. stay away from the exotic stuff.

**Darius1502** · 02-15-2006, 02:44 PM

Dufrain,

check out our 550/440 thread at KTM talk:

http://ktmtalk.com/index.php?showtopic=76665&st=0

Good to hear your comparisons with the other big bores. Most people don't realize the power of these bikes.

Mine is a 1994 and was very similar to your '95 with the exception of the forks.

Oh I shared your comments with the 550 guys on the thread!!

Great stuff.

**crd00** · 02-15-2006, 03:34 PM

man go with the HONDA cr500.Ive heard alot of good things about those motors and they're pretty easy to get parts for unlike the kx500

**3Razors** · 02-15-2006, 05:51 PM

Parts are just as easy to get for the kx as cr. Its the same motor that has been in use since 1989! The kx was also in production longer when it died in 2003 or 4.

**crd00** · 02-15-2006, 06:03 PM

Darius1502 said: Parts are easy....just slightly expensive. Pistons kits are $200 bucks.
The parts are probably easy but it doesnt matter how easy they are when you have no money in your pocket from buying a couple of ktm parts.So definetly stick with the 500.They might not be as fast and even so they're not much slower but they're a lot more efficient than the ktms

cr 500!!

**3Razors** · 02-15-2006, 06:27 PM

Kawasaki and Honda parts cost about the same. As for ktm it will be more.

**kloby** · 02-15-2006, 06:31 PM

I would go with either the KX or CR whichever comes along first or what you prefer. If you can find the last year of the KX 500 ( 2004 ) throw one into a trike and let the butt kicking begin.

**Darius1502** · 02-15-2006, 06:59 PM

Yeah I would also go with the CR or KX. I just wanted everyone to know that in terms of power...the KTM 550 is IT.

**03 ORANGE SHEE** · 02-15-2006, 07:15 PM

talk about bringing up an old topic

**3Razors** · 02-15-2006, 07:18 PM

It would be unique to check out the ATK 700 intimidator bike. I love rotax engines! Maybe someone should pull a trike conversion on one of those

Thread: wich 500 is the best CR, KX, (rm?)

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