700cc vs 500cc 2 Stroke Dirt Bike Shootout!

Can our shed built 700cc Two Stroke Dirt Bike really defeat the almighty Honda CR500? Place your bets now, we are about to find out! :-)
This video has been over a year in the making. Ever since we set out on our ambitious project to built the Megalodon 700 MX Bike we always wanted to put it head to head vs the mighty Big Red in the ultimate Big Bore shootout. 13 months after the first build episode was released we've finally we made it happen! Enjoy guys, we've also got a few surprises in store as well, you know we had to feed the Meg some 4 Strokes first! ;-)
If you liked to look of my RIDE race gear be sure to get in touch with the guys. New customers will get 20% off their first order, and be sure to sign up to the mail list to keep up to date on the latest designs and products:
www.ridemfg.co.uk/
Email: [e-mail]
Social Media: @ridemfg
A big thanks goes to Daniel Farren and the Farren family for making this happen and also to Neville Bradshaw for coming along to shred Big Red. A big shout out goes to Darren for letting us rip his KTM's and to our start girls as well! :-)
If you've loved this project and want to support us to do more like this in the future be sure to check out the Megalodon Merch. There's a limited supply left, so be quick! :-) - toofast-apparel.creator-spring.com/listing/megalodon-700?product=389
Another big shout out goes to everyone else that is helping us bring the Megalodon to life:
HGS Exhaust Systems
Muc-Off
WP Suspension
Apico Factory Racing
Moto-Master
Raptor Footpegs
Venhill
SM Pro Wheels
ESP Graphics - extremesportspeople
Phil Clarke carbon fibre - groups/203744036315307
Hardcore Racing
Raven Motorcycles/ CL Thorpe Engineering
Dave Clarke Racing
Cal Loveridge
Ian Hanks - Cambtech
Ed Bradley

[@markgibbons4938]

Thanks guys. Keep up the great work.

[@999lazer]

Thanks so much Mark! You will go down in history as the first 'Super Thanker' on the channel! :-) And you'll be the first to be featured in the next video, so keep your eyes peeled for next weeks vid! Thanks again Mark

[@nathanyeazle8930]

@@999lazer ?d$!$!! ?S?s?#se

[@Maxwelliouss]

m...m....... money

[@DaneH64]

@@Maxwelliouss mr krabs?

[@Errol.C-nz]

@@999lazer mxv550 aprilia

[@darylsmioth1904]

That little 125 held its own for the first 100 ft or so. I was surprised.

[@999lazer]

She's a ripper a tell ya...i would say that Nev is just a little better at starts than me as well! lol Thanks for watching Daryl

[@rakel9000]

Yeah! “125s isn’t powerful enough!”

[@joshe2420]

Tbf, the power to weight ratio on 125s do be mad, you talking like 90kg dry and upper 30s hp

[@LooseCannonRacing]

Thats because the other bikes couldn’t get grip either

[@chyocom9338]

In the 1980's 125's had the fastest lap times on AMA National tracks. But, times they are a changing!

[@davidbusleta9576]

Definitely need to tune the Meg to reach it's potential. Would expect it to completely dominate. At least change sprocket for top speed. Always fun to watch dirt bikes in action.

[@elitecystuning]

Yea that things super weak

[@destruction8motocrossking801]

Sometimes it’s the old bikes that rip up the most dirt

[@petergriffin4629]

I think if they put street tires on the rear and went on a drag strip you'd see the difference. But in Motocross even straight line acceleration is way more about skill than horsepower. Would be interesting to do a similar experiment with one of those crazy super Enduros from the early 2000s like the KTM 950 or the BMW HP

[@elitecystuning]

@@petergriffin4629 this man is correct lol🤘 totally agree it’s all rider weight transfer and method

[@ethanpierce55]

yeah definently

[@GoodluckCodfishing]

I used to own a 2005 yz125 and told alot of people how fast it actually was, eyebrows were raised. This video showed how well it can hang! Thank you Yamaha for the re-release of the bike!!!

[@eric0sbob]

I knew that 125 would run strong off the line. Had the same result many times especially on loose surfaces. There's only so much power you can put down off the line with an 18" knobbie on a dirt bike before the wheel breaks traction or you loop out.

[@JETZcorp]

Sometimes the small bike will be faster! Less weight but the same traction. I saw a KX80 pull big length on a 400 CZ once. The big bore dug trench while the 80 just left. By the time the 400 was getting ready to roost by and melt the kid's face, they ran out of field.

[@rossbrighty1079]

The problem is they stopped developing big bore 2t cause of emissions. 125 has power valves, ECU etc. If 500 2 strokes was developed they wouldn't be very easy to handle. Power curve would be insane!

[@rossbrighty1079]

Think we have same problem in Formula One tho let them have all the power and let the drivers do the math!

[@Sn0w1981]

Impressive results! As long as it's never a "dead engine start" to the race :)

[@999lazer]

Haha Yep we'd be screwed in a Le Mans style start that's for sure! lol Thanks for watching dude

[@felixlaing2520]

The 125 just goes to show the power of those 2 strokes, I remember one time my mate showed me his 85cc full size dirt bike and it had plenty more power than my 140cc 4 stroke

[@imjustspeakingfactsbro4189]

I mean a 450 EXC almost beat this thing so

[@jak5008]

Finally the video I've been waiting for. Other videos show the 700 idling on a driveway or putting slowly on a trail. Now it's riddin like it should be. Good job!

[@999lazer]

Thanks Jak! You've got to let the beast feed once in a while ay!? ;-D

[@Tibingi84]

Finally! like many other average riders I’ve been struggling to decide which bike to choose between a 500 stroke and a 700 2 stroke. I’m surprised there aren’t more shootouts like this for us weekend warriors 😜

[@pauluspaulvladuske]

🤣

[@alanhepburn2514]

Love the sound of big 2 strokes.reminds me of watching my dad race sidecar motocross with the 700cc zabel engine.what a machine you have there. been thinking of building my own.

[@jeremygardiner4265]

I've wanted to see a bike this cool for most of my life. so awesome you guys made it happen. keep it up!

[@999lazer]

Thanks so much for the support Jeremy! :-D I'm going to do in-video shoutouts for everyone that sends in a Super Thanks, this weeks video is already edited and about to go Live so watch out for yours in next weeks upload. Thanks again!

[@philellis386]

The sound of the cr 500 is awesome. 👍

[@999lazer]

You can't beat it!

[@jetenginethrust863]

@@999lazer Yeah it's like a sore dick, you can't beat it! LOL, well you can but it hurts like a MOFO! 😜

[@lucascady4992]

Had a 95' CR500, it was a beast in the quarter mile!

[@jasonfalcon4052]

I bet I could walk a wheelie on the 700 and never drop the front. Awesome video y’all are amazing.❤️🏁😎

[@tessbushell5489]

Great video as usual and a surprising outcome to be honest,keep them coming 👍🏻

[@999lazer]

Thanks as always Tess! :-D

[@kevinmee3501]

Great video Max, great shots of the bikes , your yz flies and put up a good fight, what was more scary flat out , big red or megladon great work again max.

[@999lazer]

Thanks Kevin mate! The Meg definitely caused a few more twitchy bum moments haha Especially the power wheelies, i didn't have the same problem on the CR as you can see in the footage. Thank for the support as always dude

[@VentoVr61987]

I love the Sound and the smell of 2 Strokes, soooo nice! 😍👌

[@MightyWhiteofYou]

Awesome production. Thanks . Super entertaining

[@181le6]

Raced a buddy of mine with a 2014 Suzuki rmz450, with my 1985 CR500. I started in 2nd about half throttle for the first 10ft or so, before giving it full throttle as i quickly grabbed 3rd, 4th, and 5th. I just remember that i kept trying to grab another gear. I was thinking, what the hell is wrong with my bike? Why won't it shift. Then the other voice in my head says, " because you're already in 5th, ya damn fool" I was like, oh, yes i believe you are correct. lol. As you stated, 80 mph is not a speed you're gonna see on a mx track. As you already know, these bikes weren't meant for top speed runs. My CR is all original. The factory rear sprocket is huge. I think the CR's redline may be around 8-9k rpm's. These new modern 4 strokes rev much much higher, so gearing being the same, the 4 stroke would win because of that reason alone, top speed wise. When i raced the RMZ450, i beat him pretty badly, but just ran out of gear. If the race had gone longer, I'm sure the 450 would have passed me. If i put a smaller rear sprocket on the CR, it would be easy triple digits. I remember back in the 80's, one of the big motorcycle magazines raced a CR500 against a honda interceptor 500 crotch rocket at the drag strip. Smaller rear sprocket, and a street tire, the CR laid waste to the interceptor. It's on the net. If you search for it, you'll find it. CR500 is a beast.

[@MrEliasdl]

One bigger on the front sprocket is like 3 smaller on the rear sprocket. A 14 up front is nice. Then play with the back between sand dune, trail, and desert sprocket sizing.

[@cagedaf8806]

Top notch guys!

[@Sniper.tutorial.akurasi]

amazingly solid my brother

[@TenToesUp450]

Awesome video. Very impressed by the 125

[@jasonwulff8341]

I love that you guys are doing the straight up drag racing on these bikes. All of the 450 shoot outs do all track but no one ever just runs them straight up to see who’s the fastest. For people who do dirt drags or run dunes that would be a way more helpful video. I would have liked to see you go up 1 tooth on the front sprocket of the Meg if it would fit.

[@999lazer]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment Jason! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. We've got access to this little drag strip whenever we need it so we can head back there again and spend some time testing for speed runs. Before this video we were setting up the bike for the track as we've got a couple of projects in the works on track before we shoot for the top speed goals. Thanks again

[@IdahoBrotherInChrist]

Really awesome video 🤙

[@slideglide9418]

🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️🌎🌎🌎🌎🍓🍓🍓🤪🤪 A lot of variables need to be considered, but a well done comparison. A friend of mine wondered why his son's 200 KDX was faster than his 380 MXC on the top end. I told him I could fix that with simple sprocket changes, so I installed the largest front sprocket I could find, along with the smallest rear sprocket. Altogether it made a 10 tooth difference with a higher ratio. When I saw him the next week, he said the changes made a difference and the KDX was left in the dust. He also wanted me to put it back like it was because he didn't need the bike to do 120mph!

[@tank4207]

I’ve been waiting for a video like this

[@cxbra]

This was the best dirtbike comparison video of all time!

[@shawngraham4902]

Cool I'm impressed with the YZ 125 I'm not a big guy and have always loved the two stroke 125's 700 is impressive and sounds great but its hard to beat the CR 500 with any dirt bike

[@douglaschitwood1342]

Well that was Super Dope! I mean the bikes alone says it all. Way2cool

[@HeyGoodJob]

This is awesome!

[@mattlennymoore282]

Yes Max, another great vid mate. 👌

[@999lazer]

Thanks dude, glad you enjoyed it mate :-D

[@gladegoodrich2297]

Always raced a 125 in the veterans over 30 open class. Never felt like it was any big disadvantage. Was always right there with the leaders in the first turn.

[@chyocom9338]

Fun episode Max, I'm so ready to see the Nevster run the Megalodon in a moto I'm drooling!

[@999lazer]

All in good time my friend! ;-D Nev is keen to take her for a race

[@TNTMOTO]

Awesome video. I like that you saved the CR500 till the end. Cant wait to get my CR500 build completed. Would love to see you do a Motocross track shootout with all these bikes. Could be timed laps but would rather 10 lap race.

[@mauriziograzioli2186]

Mostruoso MAICO. ANCHE SE MI ASPETTAVO CHE DESSE PIÙ DISTACCO ALLE ALTRE MOTO

[@derekseiders3597]

super great video

[@rickydicky5889]

The CR500 is king!! Time for Honda to start making them again!

[@mxfam6700]

I love the way it just eats every bike you have!

[@Kevin.Andrews]

Awesomeness!

[@adzymckellar9552]

Cool video guys

[@wiumschmitt8717]

Gear ratios and sprocket setups can also make a big difference... but that yz125 really proved itself 💪

[@westoneaves7761]

I usually don’t enjoy videos this much. Thank you.

[@Jeremyspencer205]

All your bikes are mint

[@rumpelstiltskin6252]

yep sure was good, enjoying your fun.👍👍

[@999lazer]

Glad you enjoyed it Rumpel :-D

[@winstonchurchhill3264]

Good stuff fella’s ! Greetings from Portsmouth England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@jonbaggarly6969]

best video yet

[@999lazer]

So glad you enjoyed it Jon!

[@petelamps6055]

I remember asking for a video like this so that I could nerd out…..cheers, I managed! Get that air box sorted, film it maybe? Again, nerding out a little, nice one Max, cheers 👍

[@timdaniels2094]

Good Racing!

[@999lazer]

Thanks Tim

[@slotcarfun7058]

Cooler Vergleich 👍🤟

[@roosthrower]

Awesome I thought the exc 450 and 500 would of been in front. The old cr 500 certainly blitzed the 700. Thanks for sharing max, great job 👍🇭🇲

[@999lazer]

Thanks again for the support dude!

[@gixxer7907]

Would have if they had an exhaust and been mapped

[@MrEliasdl]

An 85 or 86 cr500 would have laid waste to both of those bikes in a drag race.

[@debbieswannick7923]

Cant beat the sound of a 2 stroke 💨

[@999lazer]

Nothing comes close! Thanks for watching Debbie :-D

[@maikelnait1051]

Matter of taste. I personally don’t like it at all. There’s no right answer.

[@RJ-wy6cx]

That's really awesome boy the cr500s are monsters

[@mistythebest]

Love it! Try more tyre?

[@garbageman3992]

amazing video!

[@999lazer]

Thanks for watching dude!

[@boonkykilla4209]

hell ya mad love

[@rcclassiccrawlers4368]

Cool video! You seemed so excited that you beat that 125 on that 700. Like it was supposed to be some big accomplishment. The 450 did quite well against that 700 and the cr500 I figured would give that 700 a helluva run, which it did.

[@lukecombs5242]

Just epic brother long live bigred Honda has anyways been at the top of the heap for me great vid 🤙🏻🤙🏻🤙🏻

[@joerglasch8255]

It was a pleasure seeing that. Boys are playing games. I know riding GME 500, xr 250r, two hva wr250, TE 350 and TE 610 in championships until 1993. I'm 51 years old and riding now off-road a FE 350 and a Beta Evo 300 4T. I know power is nothing without control! The 125 Bee 🐝 was the perfect example here! Riding such a power in dirt is needing much more than filling up fuel. Why my first idiotic bike was an Maico GME 500 and then I learn riding on an 24hp bike XR250R in 1988? And I won the German championship in the class 350 4T that year? I need to see you on the track for half an hour! Your arms will explode! Power is nice, but nothing without control!! That bike is perfect on SM mode with an experienced driver in Austria riding the Alps and drinking beer during a BBQ!

[@999lazer]

Thanks for watching Joerg, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@andybowyer3602]

NICE🦢 MAX! BEEN WAITING A WHILE FOR THIS ONE!!! 👊✊️💥💨💨💨💨💨

[@jonnyonwheels]

Would love to see the Meg matched up against a Maico 700!

[@stevesperling1489]

my thoughts exactly I owned multiple CR 125s and 250s even a 480 before the 500 came out They were all great bikes but no one wants to talk about those open class Maico’s Nothing was faster or pulled harder I remember Maico experimenting with a 760 😮

[@g.p.880]

Great comparison video, curious what size are the front and rear sprockets for the 500 and 700?

[@MrEliasdl]

Good point. Gearing them longer helps the holeshot traction in a drag race. There is plenty of horsepower to pull longer gears.

[@QSpeaks]

That was fun!

[@999lazer]

Thanks for watching Jay, glad you enjoyed it!

[@mikellewis2346]

I believe the 700 could have bin geared taller since it has the torque to pull to a higher top speed.

[@danielphillips1094]

Yea I think a little more gear in that 700 and you would've been able to see it pull mid range and top end. Still a cool video!

[@levisylvester]

Finally!🤩 it like hoonicorn vs the world but with the megadolon! Maybe some porting for more rpm would help...

[@999lazer]

Hope you enjoyed it dude! There's certainly more we can get from her, but i want to complete a few more projects on track first before we really start gunning for those massive top speed runs :-)

[@levisylvester]

😀👍

[@mathewharris5003]

Class 👌

[@markpearson145]

Same video set up but straight rhythm. Then another video of the flat drag for the Meg. and a couple old school big bore dirt bikes. Then another of the Meg. and the old school big bore dirt bikes but on the straight rhythm.

[@999lazer]

I'm not sure i could afford the bribe money to pay someone to ride the Meg through straight rhythm! lol Thanks for watching Mark

[@gmcman355crazy]

That 125 put up way more of a fight then I ever thought it would

[@realtv101]

700 is fast but not as fast as you would think for a modified 700cc 2stroke... a modified 450F would beat it with no problem!

[@999lazer]

to be fair all the bikes bikes felt fast that day (when your doing 80 mph in a field)...lol. the top end has a lot to do with the gearing, but it is so hard to keep the front down and not to spin up the back wheel on the 700 I don't doubt your right.

[@dermopedschrauber2731]

@@999lazer my 1992 Honda xr600r does 100mph

[@dr.hugog.hackenbush9443]

**laughs in Baja-spec KX500**

[@ericunderwing]

@@999lazer wheres the ktm/gsxr1000.....

[@xfdfff2620]

@martin barr's CRF450 if u can keep the front wheel down then good 700 or 500 Will beat 450 defenitely

[@Marshall1174]

The 700 needs more air, next project; "700 Megalodon Turbo"! No--really--do it. 😎

[@darkraft100]

Turbo 2t 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@arildoaparecidocosta5729]

Ótimo vídeo gualidade total parabéns guerreiros bazuka Foz do Iguaçu pr Brasil 🇧🇷🇧🇷

[@nxtgen2b416]

Wow. That was impressive with that 125 lol

[@recklessriley6]

Letsss goooo, team Honda🔥😈

[@DN4AGDX]

Always loved the big 2stroke bikes. I miss my KX500.

[@spicymeatball07]

Love all the content you guys are putting out and wouldn't miss it for the world I just have one problem that seat cover on big red 😂 it's firing up my OCD please get Nev to sort it out 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@999lazer]

Haha Nev was actually saying how he wanted to swap it on the day! lol Thanks for watching dude

[@scottyd2262]

Same.... Things like that are the only thing that l get OCD from 😆

[@whiskeyniner6416]

700cc 4 stroker in the works? Enjoyed the content.

[@christiaanjansevanvuuren7574]

Hasquvarna 700 , pops wheellies at 160 kmh

[@aimecollett8142]

Would love to see the Kx 450 in this matchup. I had one and the power was unbelievable

[@BIG_BODWELL]

most bad ass video ive seen since sm22 footage

[@999lazer]

Glad you enjoyed it! :-D

[@BIG_BODWELL]

@@999lazer i hope i see u at sm23 with the meg

[@sama5946]

Need to see TP come out abs ride this 🥰

[@Hanky_Bannist8r]

I was cheering for your Yz125 ! Alas, the megalodon is too much for almost any motocross bike in existence.

[@mfatcat1978]

I enjoyed this.... Should look at a Macio 700çc 2stroke vs big red 🇭🇲👍

[@MarcoFerreira-tu6le]

Nice machine

[@69Atho]

There is just nothing that beats a CR500 - the best of the beasts.

[@rachelmccurry1936]

that was great my brother had a built cr500 for years it was a beast he took it to Baja

[@racker5108]

are all the bikes geared the same? I'd think the Megalodon would benefit from longer gearing / sprockets for top end since it has good torque. Seems like the acceleration tapers of because of the RPMs

[@xipingpooh5783]

Now that was a Heavyweight Bout!!!! Even the slimey 4 strokes gave Mighty Megalodon a go…. But in the end the old saying “ there is no replacement for displacement” holds true!! Love the riding gear, we can all be style’n and profile’n wearing that gear👍🏼

[@vtecmossy]

@martin barr's CRF450 700 seemed to run of of gears it's a 4 speed and geared a bit high i reckon with better top speed gearing it would win but be close, or like the cr500 trade victories at best

[@xipingpooh5783]

@martin barr's CRF450 keep your thumpers and I’ll keep my 2strikes

[@youareright5431]

Love that 125 until 45👍👍

[@vtecmossy]

Very nice shoot out Mega gearing might need dropping a tooth or two 🤔gain some top end seems to have plenty down low

[@999lazer]

Thanks for watching! Yes i would agree on the gearing, we did change it a few weeks back to make it a bit more manageable on track but for speed runs it would be better to go the other way

[@181le6]

I love my 1985 cr 500. Bike is an absolute beast.

[@trip6071]

Oh yes this is all the way my type of video

[@rusty6314]

Excellent! How about the same drag race but at the bottom of a steep hill? A sand track test would be interesting or some deep mud.

[@999lazer]

Hey Rusty, thanks for watching! We've got a big hill climb scheduled in the calendar in the next few weeks. So keep your eyes open for that video :-D

[@jak5008]

Awesome! Love to see the beast with Nev on board climbing a monster hill. Maybe in a hillclimb competition.👍

[@dr.hugog.hackenbush9443]

It allmost allways comes down to grunt versus revs. Given enough space, revs can usually win, because you've run out of gear with grunt. But anywhere you dont depend on rpm, the grunt engine will stomp everything.

[@999lazer]

And our engine certainly has GRUNT! lol We are heading to a big old hill in a few weeks Doc, i think you'll enjoy that video :D

[@rwbblade1]

Where is the kx500 to get comparisons? Still a great watch. 👍

[@tammyforbes2101]

This one show made me subscribe and like so good job I normally don’t do either as I see so much stuff but this caught my eye it answered a question we all have! What would this do against that. Good job mates surprised someone in the states hasn’t done this already but nobody has 700cc here we got bored out 500 up to 700+cc but no one I know has ever had anything bigger then the 500cc bored out.

[@dabh4204]

A smaller rear sprocket i think would help with the top end, it seemed to run out of gears but had more to give

[@trevorwhite3783]

that’s how my CR500 feels it’s in a 2005 crf250r frame

[@lorenchaney2213]

You should do the same test with all the same tooth sprockets on front and back on all bikes I think that would be more accurate

[@edwardbraverock7649]

If you can’t win with a CR500, it’s not the bike it’s the rider. Plain & simple. Meg is a beast though. Nice looking too.

[@bn8706]

That 125 was legit asf!

[@seanc6754]

700cc 2 stroke?!?! Omfg what a savage bike that thing mist be

[@stare-n-aaron9806]

Love that name Megalodon

[@Jonah.the.moist.noodle]

So did you use the maico 700cc engine in the mageledon?