Honda CR500 dirt bike weight comparison. Aluminum frame vs. steel frame which one wins? Part 2

[@jimalexander9230]

Nice video! I'd like to address a couple of bits of info. With regards to which years were the most similar, the '85 and '86 were physically identical, except the '86 had a cartridge fork. I think that fork weighed a little more, due to the internals. The '87 and '88 were identical except for color. The '89 was the oddball, and the first year lowboy pipe and inverted fork. '90 and '91 were basically identical, just different suspension components. The '92 through '01 interchanged almost parts, but the forks stayed the same from '96 through '01, and somewhere around '95, the hubs changed. The front brake master changed around that time too, I think. That '93 had a plate on the frame, so that might have added a pound. I used to race, and then I was a race mechanic. We used to weigh EVERYTHING. Not on my 500s, but on the 250s. We ran Michelin tires for a long time, but not just because of the traction. Some of the Michelins were nearly 6 pounds lighter than the other brands. Premium tires like Michelin, Dunlop, and Bridgestone were lighter than the Cheng Shin and IRC tires, but even the premium tires had fairly big differences in weight. We compared a set of Michelins to a set of IRCs, and there was nearly a twelve pound difference between the pairs. When every gram counts, tires seemed to be the biggest variable.

[@2WheelKam]

Love the videos bro! Keep it up. You're making cool bikes and keeping visibility on the best bikes from a bygone era. Dirt bikes were good back in the 80's and 90's and very capable. Compared to mordern bikes, they're not going to win in a lap time comparison, but they're surprisingly close. You can still take them out and do dirt bike things and have a great time on them. Plus building them and personalizing them is part of the fun.

[@rclmxshift]

Whichever one I can ride. I have never ridden a 500 2 stroke and I'm a 52-year-old that has owned a bunch of different bikes in my lifetime. Currently ridding a 2023-1/2 FC 450. My last 2 stroke was a 2002 CR 250. I miss that bike every day.

[@JesStricker]

Fun video. I figured the weight was close on all of them after you weighed the frames last week.

[@Hanky_Bannist8r]

I never would have guessed that. That seems really light for a 500, I ride an Xr650 that weighs 348 dry. Any one of your Cr's would be a treat but I'd still take the '87 🤙

[@plumbit111]

Definitely surprised was thinking the AF's would be like 5-6 lbs lighter. I noticed the 92 made a skid plate which the first one didn't i believe thanks for sharing.

[@phatheadracingmx]

Closish is a very technical measure says a trustworthy friend. This is not misinformation

[@kevchard5214]

Interesting!! I wouldn't have guested either. This makes me feel much better about my 97 KDX 220R.LOL

[@beaverc2884]

All caught up. Thanks for the ride. 😊

[@DIRTBIKEFAB]

You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@DanDan_and_the_boys]

No that’s some king of ping right there 👌🏼🤙🏼.

[@briknapek]

Old school ... My 96 yz125 always out run my brothers 2004 Kawasaki 250

[@MoaByte-v2z]

Steel self heals from the flexing and withstands more flexes before cracking than aluminum. The biggest downside is rust.

[@coloradodirtbike5930]

Zinc primer powdercoat followed with a top layer of powder works pretty well adding corrosion and rust resistance.

[@c0c0asauce]

It comes down to personal preference and what you ate for breakfast. I think I'd go with the 18', extra pancake, and another sausage.

[@jmudd5449]

Thought weight differences could be all in tires

[@sirrotten6963]

I wonder if they were engineered, the aluminum frame ones anyway, to keep the weight very close together even with different materials? Between the metal and the aluminum frames I mean

[@andrewarcher880]

Man you are slow, I can't watch anymore!

[@DIRTBIKEFAB]

Bye