2 Strokes -vs- 4 Strokes

I think a AF500 would be a nice trail bike if it was set up properly. I have had a chance to ride a AF500 in the woods before, it was a Service Honda, not a hack job done up in a garage.

The first thing that I felt right off the bat was vibs... which transmitted into the bars. I would think that a balance and crank true job would be the first thing that would need to be done! My buddys EC300 was had much less vibs than the 500. I think the aluminum frame may have something to do with that. Or could be the bike I rode had a ton of miles on it? Never the less it took some time to get used too. If you had to change the plug on the AF on the trail, it was tight, due to the over sized IMS tank that was on the bike.

The motor was a hoot....I rode it for about 45 minutes on single track trails in the mountains and I think I pretty much used one gear during my seat time....again, much like the EC300....stump pulling power that was beyond anything I have ever rode. It could be lugged way down and very nicely ramp up into the mid range.....that was when things would get a little spooky...there was SO much hook up very little wheel spin that it kindy made me nervous at times. The bike I rode had a oversized front rotor, which was pretty much a required item to bring that beast to a stop.

My brother in law had a very nice off road 2002 CRF450 that had 18 inch rear wheel, auto clutch (Reckuse sp) off road valved and spring suspension which I have barrowed several times just for kicks. The auto clutch was killer on the 450, like butter, but over heated real bad, did not like to start when hot. The trail habits were very nice and plenty of power and handled the trails nice.....but I WOULD NEVER, EVER THINK OF PUTTING ONE IN MY STABLE! Don't really need to go into details as to why

I would not want to race the AF500 in a cross country, at least here in my area...too much motor to try to tame for 2 -2.5 hours at race speed. Given my limited time on the AF, and having riden the CRF several times all day, If I had the coin...the AF500 would be in the garage. Not as a race bike, but as a do everything trail bike, that you could "wick it up" when needed.
Toss on a APT carb .....that could be a monster:eek:
 
I had a 1995 CR500 for about a month and a half about 13 years ago. Way too much power for the trails I ride. I hated it lol.

Good article though.
 
Gawd that was a poorly designed comparison test, nearly matched by the poor writing.

Lessee, put a few guys who've only ridden 4Ts over the last few years (and previous to that, they likely rode 250 2Ts with power valves. Then put them on a fire-breathing 500 2T. Brilliant.
 
Eric Gore 285 kitted AF might have actualy faired better, not everyone can hang onto a 500 2T.

Hell I have a hard enough time reeling in my 250, there is no way I'm getting on a 500 unless its a gravel road lol.
 
They could've but them on any number of current manufacturer's 250/300 2Ts who also have 350/450 4Ts piloted by competent riders.
 
Rick,

So why the AF500 in your stable over the CRF 450?

I road my buddy's '04 CRF 450 and thought, "Why doesn't everyone ride one of these?" Powerful, light, turns great - yes, stalls, but a Rekluse would fix that, I think.

I have always heard on the forums that the 450Fs were too heavy, wouldn't turn, tiring in the tight trails - but I think they must be referring to the enduro models. The mx bike is lighter than my GG, I think.
 
farmerj said:
Rick,


I have always heard on the forums that the 450Fs were too heavy, wouldn't turn, tiring in the tight trails - but I think they must be referring to the enduro models. The mx bike is lighter than my GG, I think.
Click to expand...

The AF500's are nice bikes (actually the KX500 is a nicer engine), the biggest draw back is the poor fuel economy if you want to do
any type of serious trail work...20 mpg if you're lucky.

391595_10150394941824630_726995473_n.jpg


Why Honda doesn't "enduroize" the R model for the US market is beyond me.

http://www.hmmoto.it/it/prodotti/CRE-F500R-13

2134_p.jpg
 
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yah they did everything they could, like tiring the boys out and getting them to post their fast lap times on the 450 4t's brfore they put them on an un-familiar 2t, and then doing a "comparison". a 65 horse 2 stroke versus a 45 horse 4t is not really a fair fight either. but I already new the outcome of this test as soon as i read the title! the jap manufacture's really want the average rider to be on a 4 stroke. very high parts and rebuild costs, versus a $350 rebuild on the average 2 stroke, that you can do in your garage,with a six pack and a buddy helping??
 
farmerj said:
Rick,

So why the AF500 in your stable over the CRF 450?

I road my buddy's '04 CRF 450 and thought, "Why doesn't everyone ride one of these?" Powerful, light, turns great - yes, stalls, but a Rekluse would fix that, I think.

I have always heard on the forums that the 450Fs were too heavy, wouldn't turn, tiring in the tight trails - but I think they must be referring to the enduro models. The mx bike is lighter than my GG, I think.
Click to expand...

I will be honest, I don't have a ton of time on 4 strokes. My brother in laws 450, my buddy's Yamaha WR 250 is about it. I have more time on the 450 than the 250, however they both are great bikes for their intended purpose . I consider myself as a more traditional old school dirt bike rider who refuses to move forward to valve springs, cam chains and oil filters.
I tend to go against the grain and follow my traditional views with simplicity and ease of maintenance.

I am not a four stroke guy.

The simplicity of the 2 stroke gets the nod.

Lower cost of engine maintenance is also a plus.

Coolness factor of the AF

Exhaust note of the 4 stroke is just annoying to me as

I might not be putting up a great defence, but what I choose to buy is a very personal preference and as long as I can still buy 2 stroke oil I will continue to mix at 32/1.
 
One of the smoothest and easiest to ride bikes I've ever ridden was the old Husky WR 400 2 stroke. Plenty of power and acceleration (with control), didn't stall, didn't wear me out, would crawl in 1st gear and do 90mph in 6th gear with ease. Weight under 260lbs, full of gas.

With proper tuning and setup any big bore 2 stroke can be a great woods bike. I've owned a Honda CR 480, Kawi KX 500, and many others in that class. When properly set up for terrain and rider preference, any big bore 2t can work very well. Just takes the patience to get it right.

The best thing about big bore 2ts is that they are extremely versatile and reliable, then easy to work on when it's rarely needed.

HARD TO JET! HARD TO KICKSTART! HARD TO GET USED TO THE EXCESS POWER! All this can be overcome with tuning, practice, and patience.

All but the hard to kickstart part. If your right leg is strong, Just Do It! Win or lose, you'll have fun.

Start out with wheelie bars, then remove after 10 rides.
 
Mick said:
The AF500's are nice bikes (actually the KX500 is a nicer engine), the biggest draw back is the poor fuel economy if you want to do
any type of serious trail work...20 mpg if you're lucky.


Why Honda doesn't "enduroize" the R model for the US market is beyond me.

http://www.hmmoto.it/it/prodotti/CRE-F500R-13

2134_p.jpg
Click to expand...

Mick,

That bike looks so much better than the "X" - looks lighter, less clutter around the engine, etc. - but I don't quite get it. How is the CRE different from a CRF "X"? I thought the "X" was the enduro-ized version!?

& thanks for the reply, Rick.

Jeff
 
farmerj said:
Mick,

That bike looks so much better than the "X" - looks lighter, less clutter around the engine, etc. - but I don't quite get it. How is the CRE different from a CRF "X"? I thought the "X" was the enduro-ized version!?

& thanks for the reply, Rick.

Jeff
Click to expand...

I believe the "E" in CRE stands for Enduro (not sure why they call them CRE's and not CRF's, Italian thing?), they sell both the R and X models. R based off of the fuel injected CRF450R we in the US get, and the X, which has a little nicer parts hung off it than our CRF-X version.

That particular bike is 477cc.

Incase you missed the link, here is. All kind of goodies on it.

HM Honda

Top picture is the "R", bottom is the "X", probably see the differences when they are side by side.

2136_p.jpg


2088_p.jpg
 
Last edited:
Mick said:
I believe the "E" in CRE stands for Enduro (not sure why they call them CRE's and not CRF's, Italian thing?), they sell both the R and X models. R based off of the fuel injected CRF450R we in the US get, and the X, which has a little nicer parts hung off it than our CRF-X version.

That particular bike is 477cc.

Incase you missed the link, here is. All kind of goodies on it.

HM Honda

Top picture is the "R", bottom is the "X", probably see the differences when they are side by side.

2136_p.jpg


2088_p.jpg
Click to expand...

I ha've a riding buddy that a CRE 250.....2 stroke....that I think Kevin Hines imported.....this would have been back in about 95-99....That bike was set up really nice!
 
HM is an Italian firm that mod's stock honda's. they have a right hand drive
CRE 125 that looks bad ass. I think it's a 2012 model
 
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