Going big!!! CR OR KX!!!

[badchevelleman66]

well my next build is going to be a 500

just dont know which way to go

for the CR's ive heard the 85-86's were the power house and tuned them down for easy riding after that

as for the KX dont know much about them, i know they probley arent as reliable as the honda but how are they for power, what problems should i expect from one, is there any years better then the other???


all suggestions and comments welcomed!!!

[Lomax]

A buddy of mine has both. A 1996 CR and a 2001 KX. The KX is a little easier to ride with its power valve motor and I think that he has mentioned its a little more plush than the CR is. The CR is not as fast top end but has a much harder hitting engine and from what I have seen makes is difficult to ride. My experiance with the 2 machines, I would buy a KX if i thought that i needed something that big.
-Will

[dovesprings250R]

I'd do honda. I don't think there's a huge difference between the kawi and honda as far as power. I've ridden various years of both. Honda just in my opinion has always been more reliable and you can get parts from service honda for cheap.
as far as years go the fastest 500 I can remember was the 1989 honda Cr 500. Are you gonna make an all arounder or just a drag bike?

[badchevelleman66]

dont wanna build a DRAG bike but something that can handle alittle bit of everything i do

i found a 89 kx for $500 that looks pretty good, and i know they have powervalves over honda, and i havent really heard anything bad about them

reliability for the tecate got solved with the ricky stator ignition, is that kawi's problem when people talk about reliablity what else goes wrong???

[Black Sheep]

you are correct the 85 and 86 CR 500's were the most powerfull and detuned after that. I bought a 86 brand new and it was sick. later on a friend of mine not only bought my 86 but a 90 and the 86 would smoke the newer one. also Honda makes a wide ratio gear kit for the 500 that replaces 4th and 5th gears. not sure if kawi does though. i know the kawi 500's also are not as reliable

[badchevelleman66]

can anyone tell me why the kawis are unreliable what goes wrong with them

[dovesprings250R]

When it comes to reliability I think the Honda is always a bit better. I gotta say though, in tough desert racing events the KX 500 is what all the open class desert guys used to use............Roseler, Abbott, the late Danny Hamel, Ty Davis before he went to Yammie. Look in Baja results from years back.not a cr500 in the top 20. They used xr 600's. Goota be reliable to finish and win those tough events. Which conversion will require the least amount of work? Which engine can be had the cheapest? Tough one here.

[badchevelleman66]

Originally Posted by dovesprings250R

Which conversion will require the least amount of work? Which engine can be had the cheapest? Tough one here.

well i have a tecate frame i can drop the kx into which i heard is almost a bolt in swap and can get the kawi for 500 right now

can get a roller 250r for about $500 and pick a cr for about $800 i'll have more work involved BUT ill have a honda lol

orrrrrr save up and finish my damn CHEVELLE

[dovesprings250R]

Oh man....go Kawie. Easier, less money, less common I think.

[badchevelleman66]

what i want to know it what is the problem with kawi's why arent they a reliable bike, electrical, nickasil cylinder, power valves,weak bottom ends, i mean what goes wrong with them

[dovesprings250R]

From some quick research I just did with my buddies at Scotts performance the KX 500 is very reliable. No known issues worth noting. Nikasil cylinder is tough, electrical system is reliable. The honda had a bit better bottom end but the kawie was better on top. Thus making the honda a better mx bike than the kawie. Although Larocco was the last 500cc national champ on a kawie. Scott over there raced Kx 500's in Baja for many years. I trust those guys.

[badchevelleman66]

Originally Posted by dovesprings250R

From some quick research I just did with my buddies at Scotts performance the KX 500 is very reliable. No known issues worth noting. Nikasil cylinder is tough, electrical system is reliable. The honda had a bit better bottom end but the kawie was better on top. Thus making the honda a better mx bike than the kawie. Although Larocco was the last 500cc national champ on a kawie. Scott over there raced Kx 500's in Baja for many years. I trust those guys.

SWEET!!! thanks for the info brent!!!

[Black Sheep]

I agree with just about everything dove has said although one thing can be misleading...


"I gotta say though, in tough desert racing events the KX 500 is what all the open class desert guys used to use............Roseler, Abbott, the late Danny Hamel, Ty Davis before he went to Yammie. Look in Baja results from years back.not a cr500 in the top 20. They used xr 600's. Goota be reliable to finish and win those tough events. "

the reason behind this is less to do with the CR not being up to the task but rather poor management from Honda. the race team managers wanted to use CR's but Honda HQ was pushing the XR 600. Going back to the mid 80's CR 500's did win Baja races.


i agree that the KX 500 is one of the most reliable kawasaki's built. it did not change significantly after 89. it was just refined.

why you here so much about Honda's being relable and Kaw's not is related to philosophy. Honda feels long term longeveity is better hense they concentrate on durability. Kawasaki is more Race oriantated feeling that fast motors sell. Honda feels racers always modify thier bikes anyway so give them a reliable platform. Kaw believes riders want fastest motors stock to start with. the more performance you get the less reliability you end up with.

also honda pays more attention to the little details then the other companies.

Honda Motor company is first and foremost a MOTOR company

Kawasaki Heavy Industries specializes in Oil Tankers (exxon valdeze) Motorcycles are a subdivision of K.H.I.

Yamaha's main product is musical instraments. hense the tuning fork logo.

Suzuki is partially owned by Honda.


whether you go Honda or Kawasaki you'll still have a good trike. the most important thing for reliabiliy is proper maintenence. since you already have most of the kaw stuff i'd say go green.

[Xmuddog]

Originally Posted by badchevelleman66

well i have a tecate frame i can drop the kx into which i heard is almost a bolt in swap and can get the kawi for 500 right now

can get a roller 250r for about $500 and pick a cr for about $800 i'll have more work involved BUT ill have a honda lol

orrrrrr save up and finish my damn CHEVELLE

I think the down tube is in the center of the pipe outlet when you put the KX in . you need to cut it and put in a split two down tube to the frame under the front of the motor !!!! I could be wrong but I have a 84 frame and putting a KX 500 in and thats what I found!!!!!!!!

[3razors]

I currently have both and they each share their pro's and cons.

Honda has always set the bar when it comes to reliability but the KX500 is a very durable machine. Nothing on my KX has ever let me down, then again I give it very strict maintnence. The very early kx's (early 80's) did have some reliability troubles but I think that goes for all kawi's of that era.

In bike form the CR is better for mx, and the KX is better for desert racing. It won the baja 1000 like 9 straight times, and it also won the last 500cc ama national championship.

As for power they put it out differently due to the different bore x stroke combinations. The CR has a much shorter stroke so it has more midrange punch. The KX hits harder of the bottom with a very smooth midrange and a long top-end.

If you do go KX stick with the 89-04 motors because everything is all the same.