HONDA CR500 VS. KX500 VS YZ490 two-Stroke Drag Race 500cc SHOOT-OUT

After an overwhelming response on our original big-bore two-stroke video, we decided to pull the museum bikes out of storage and race them around at the iconic Kaplan Compound.
Thanks to all of our subscribers dropping positive comments, it drives us to keep making these videos!
Here's the Big Bore Two-Stroke CR500 Vs KX500 VS RM500 VS CR48O VS CR500AF SERVICE HONDA showdown!
Be sure to follow us on Facebook.com/KaplanCycles & Facebook.com/NewEnglandMotorcycleMuseum

[@johncast9565]

The lawn is just as incredible as the bikes.

[@rickgruffman7132]

The lawn -- and the house and multi-car garage and driveway and just about every thing else there. Someone's loaded.

[@yfz350twin]

This guy has to be the coolest dude on KZbin.

[@mcmc8496]

yfz350twin Who Wolverine or the guy with the purple arse....

[@yfz350twin]

Emil Lerp Wolverine.

[@scottbradford4130]

Lol rite.all American rippa is a bad ass in my book but the chops and the rag take it to the top haha

[@yzmoto80]

You bet ! He’s definitely American made !!

[@keaponlaffin6737]

3:10 yeah but Larry's literally a bad ass!

[@billdavis6978]

Personally, I love the fact Kaplan and Co. do these tests on incredibly nice lawns.

[@MachineintheMonkey]

I can see the poor old green keeper shedding a tear… or chasing the boys with a shovel! 🤙

[@Logan-or5qw]

I wonder how many weeks Larry slept on his stomach? 🤓👍

[@KaplanCycles]

Lol

[@74superglide]

Should do a calendar with the ladies sitting on the bikes!

[@josejardim6989]

Yebo no we talking 😁

[@modsquad8817]

The guy that owns all the 500’s and 605 should make KZbin videos.

[@yzmoto80]

That is just a beautiful piece of property you have there Mr. Kaplan! Hats off to you and your family, friends and crew for sharing your awesome home to all of us here at YOU TUBE !

[@TNTMOTO]

Great to see everyone having a good time and ripping it up on the old 2 strokes. Times like this are the reason i rebuild them.

[@asylumvideos9358]

They look like a bunch of kids when they put all there gear on lol..good stuff

[@calebmartin2457]

asylum video's right lol

[@2000magnumrt]

This is hands down the best f ing video on KZbin

[@Chalz108]

That microphone makes all the difference guys! Great upgrade

[@nowthatsfunny1]

chalz108 At first I thought it was "The Shake Weight."

[@markmajors408]

Bob Barker

[@Maicowerk]

The KTM 495 was made 4 years. 1981 was dual shock, piston port that Rod Bush rode at 123 MPH. The 82-84 were single shock, reed valved and the 84 they went to a single spark plug head and reduced the compression ratio. They went to a 500 in 1985. The one there looks like a 1984 because of the upside down front forks and dual leading drum front brake. The previous years had conventional forks and 83 had a disc front break. The 84 came in 2 versions, 4 speed and 5 speed. The gearing was the same 2-5 MXC vs. 1-4 MX but the MXC had a 1st that was low. I had the 84 5 speed. The one thing about that bike is that it was over-square. It had a huge piston, 92mm and a very short stroke, something like 73mm. So it reved quick.

[@MitzvosGolem1]

Opferman Motors Dirtbiking I had KTM gearbox was notchy missed gears.

[@gboo9490]

Holy crap i thought that was gary busey when he pulled up slamming his helmet

[@robertnocerajr3985]

Unfortunately inside of NJ here, dirt bikes are frowned upon... But we have plenty of places to ride.. I only feel safe on my XR dual sport ... I have a better chance of getting a ticket instead of getting the bike impounded for trespassing and then they will hold the bike until you go to court and probably get a thousand dollar fine plus towing and storage fees... Alot of people lose their biike,, if you don't have a title... Forget it then... It's gone..... never buy a untitled bike... .... But I would love to make some noise on a 500 2stroke. And then run from the authorities.. that would be fun...

[@johnricci1819]

Robert Nocera Jr I’m a fellow jersian , can’t impound it if they can’t catch you . Where do you like to ride I like sarco a lot . Also have you checked out getting a Vermont title?

[@brycelynch8094]

That's what living right looks like, I can almost smell those 2 strokes makes me want to let my dad's 87 yz 250 kick my ass like the good old days, these vintage two strokes are timeless cant wait to make the trip to the museum!!!

[@johnnyem-grafix4024]

Welcome to the 2 - stroke Jungle !!! You guys sure know how to have fun !

[@retroman3075]

4 strokes are for slow pokes... Nice video. Great to see these old big bore smokers lined up and racing like that. Too bad there wasn't a Maico 700 mixed in there somewhere to make things interesting.

[@universalgasworks5050]

Retroman too expensive need to take out a mortgage

[@Dabz-g3u]

Retroman you probably never even rode a 4 stroke, if you rode a 450 you’d know damn well 4 strokes ain’t for no slow pokes lol

[@dr.hugog.hackenbush9443]

Cost to buy & import one is about $15k

[@josephwinkler4863]

Lol You’re just a joke if you ain’t blowin smoke

[@KaplanCycles]

Dan Huckins, the Builder of my CR500 ask me how it compared on the dyno to my YZ 450 4 stroke which is Bored to 500; the important thing is that my 2010 YZ 450 with a 500cc Athena Big Bore Kit ported and Polished heads Builders cam bigger throttle body balance crank and Hinson clutch with a Yoshimura exhaust that was built over the course of a year with the best of everything produced 1 horsepower LESS than the mighty CR500!!!! But that is not the most amazing thing the most amazing thing is the CR500 has 25% more torque!!! This is not Pie in the Sky B.S. bench racing this is factual proof I had $25,000 tied up in my YZ 500 built by X pro Tim Slater and run on the same exact dyno... I have Dyno sheets for both as proof.... clearly on a track it's easier to go faster with the four stroke but there's nothing like two-stroke power for fun and giggles and it takes the smiles per mile meter!

[@LChem1]

I owned 3 Cagiva 500's c. 1986 and i am hurt you excluded them! 😺

[@jamesavery6671]

Probably because it actually hooks up lol.

[@kennycampbelljr5896]

Palmer's Guns & Gear that's because the 4 stroke has a smoother power band. Put them up against each other on concrete or pavement and the 2stroke will leave the 4stroke smelling the sweet aroma of mixed fuel.

[@12gaugegavin]

You should have invited me I would have showed up and broken some of my bones for you on my 1985 Honda cr 500 I love your videos

[@thedoggystarful869]

I have a 87 cr 500, would of loved messing about with that gang of 500's for the day, would of been a bit of a hike as I live in northern England lol, great vid

[@lukereynolds9907]

Line of 2 smokers can’t beat that

[@jeremyrbaker230]

Larry agreeing at 3:55 cracked me up he didn’t skip a beat with that head nod

[@eastbaymauiboy]

This is cool AF!. You guys gotsta do a legit 89 CR500 vs 89 KX500 drag race with several drag runs. I've always heard how much more bark the KX has and you should do a head-to-head if you could. I know the planets would have to align for that one though, especially to have both relatively un (or similarly) modified + rear meat. I love those KX's ALOT, but I'm more of a CR guy...so, it'll be what it be. Expectations (or rumors??) have me thinkin the KX might win anyway? 🔧

[@thomasgreen8532]

Where is the Maico 500? They built them too and they were very competitive

[@ronniewilliz153]

They for sure gave the other 500s a run for sure

[@borismcgillicutty3042]

Nah, no chance

[@lakeshorerides]

@@ronniewilliz153 they were one of the best air cooled, but not a chance against the kx and cr.

[@Hugeroost]

it prolly wouldnt crank

[@thomasgreen8532]

Robert Tadic look at the numbers there horsepower of the Maico is right there with the rest but unlike the rest it is way more rideable.

[@positivefeedback4314]

I actually feel good just watching these guys have fun best things ever pretty girls and nice attitudes I would trade my miserable wife for a donkey for just a second of this fun😂😂😂

[@TaylerKaplan1]

“Everything is tight”

[@subarutech1078]

Tayler Kaplan , Everything🤔

[@williamjarbeau3601]

Tayler Kaplan Hi. Taylor I have question. Would my 14 old niece ride her bike alone with my 11 yr old son ride on the compound I live in Rhode Island not to many places to ride

[@frankeckert4901]

WERD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@joe429t]

Interested

[@emeryk5227]

Correct

[@murk1352]

Looks like a good time & there's nothing better than a 500 shootout day....👍🏻🔥💯🇺🇸

[@joealva1246]

3:52 that zoom on larry's experienced face 🤣

[@TaylerKaplan1]

Such a fun night!

[@jdatwood7086]

That looks like a dream summer BBQ! Jealous ...

[@Bush_Tucker]

Are you the big fellas wife or daughter?

[@TaylerKaplan1]

That Aussie Bloke yes, I’m his daughter!

[@michaeltrower6792]

Tayler Kaplan need to get you on one of those 500's and make all of the guys look silly

[@Bush_Tucker]

Tayler Kaplan jesus wouldnt want to piss him or you off, he looks like his one bad joke away from growing claws and calling himself logan

[@Lightning7474.]

Rite there folks , looks like a great time. That's how you live.

[@mikestowe6136]

any of the 500's are bad ass that's gotta be a fun day at the compound hell just to be there to watch n bullshit with everyone would be fun

[@1969cmp]

The KTM495 is from 84. The following year when they went liquid cooled was pretty much the same cc but labelled a 500. Phil Lovett won the Finke Desert Race in one and the following 1986 Finke, American Jimmy Ellis was leading the Finke race when his transfer port melted. You can find it in KZbin.

[@jasonvsd]

Two strokes have the most smiles per mile. Four strokes are for the soy boys to ride to the mall.

[@HF1600ie]

Days like these are going to be missed like we all miss the 80s. As close as it gets!!

[@joepasco1420]

80s 90s I owned all the big bores. Hadn't riden in 15 years then 2015 I got a cr500 to relive old times. 2 days of riding in the desert, I was spent.

[@Flynfish777crew]

I don’t care how old I get. This will never get old! @Kaplan America @Ken Kaplan @Kaplan Cycles @New England Motorcycle Museum

[@simssimms6522]

Suzuki guy in the beginning is like wait for meeee

[@billbright1755]

My buddy rode a 95 CR 500 and I on my 92 DR 350. Of course in a drag it was as if my motor fell out. But out on the trails he said man Bill that thing barks, always nipping at his heals. A use of momentum and tractable power delivery meant trail quickness. A dual sport I still ride it with over 30,000 on the odometer. That machine has become a part of me. Use to surprise Harley riders on the road when I got it up to 90 on the speedometer. A wide ratio 6 speed means I can rock crawl up some nasty hill climbs. 4 stroke 350 cc air/oil cooled, Suzuki quality second to none!

[@mxrider2strokebraaap54]

Cool to see all those big bikes all together

[@garybulwinkle82]

There was no true YZ490! I have (needs restored) a 1982 YZ 490 which I rode from 82 to 93 as my play bike! After a day of riding my back and shoulders would be shot! It was all I could do just to hang on! With my new bike, I received a "flyer" titled, "Race Modifications". You had to add a 20mm section to your header pipe on the exhaust to increase your low RPM power. The exhaust port, which is round, needed to be squared off on the top, and you had to drill holes in the air box; this increased your high RPM power! What a difference!!! Turned it into a tractor/rocket ship!!!

[@dr.hugog.hackenbush9443]

@@garybulwinkle82 I have an '83 490, and the best mod I ever did for it (aside from having the head squish mod done) was getting it balanced! It used to shake like a poorly jetted paint mixer, and now its smooth as glass. Completely changes its character for the better.

[@AverageGamerPlayz]

Wow Larry that’s one hell of a bruised ass

[@stevem8871]

Great video guys thanks for sharing and getting us all together it was a real treat me and my son enjoyed it we just went out and got a couple new four strokes looking for a 250 2 stroke for my son I was a kx500 man back in the day I had an 86 monster thanks again great video 💪💪

[@alec4453]

Super badass that you got a foxbody, wasnt aware of that. my first car was a 87 gt, 5 speed. Currently have a 93 coupe, and a 89 coupe.

[@johnnyem-grafix4024]

Lol - I knew you love the CR’s - so wait ... you get to rip the Kaplan compound then go fishing for large mouth bass in the backyard???? 🤝🙏💪🏻💪🏻💯🙏✊

[@dr.hugog.hackenbush9443]

Team Honda seens a bit overrepresented there... Not that Im complaining..(I have 2 CR500s) my '88 & '96 can fill in the gaps you have from one of every year there..

[@tammyforbes2101]

Ha it’s the smith family reunion 😂✊🏾 oh wait, no just looked similar no sport bikes or Harley’s! Still cool as shit though I dig your guys style! Hell im just waiting till the sun goes down a little so I can get back on my suzuki GSX-S1000! No chicken strips on my tires things look like the been chewed to the rim 😂

[@arthurteigland695]

I feel kinda bad for Grandpa overwheelieing his motorsickle, gosh I hope he had a lot of Kix cereal because on the box it says helps heal bruises, I hope he had alot of Vitamin C and milk to heal good, that ass look so blue. I'm kinda glad I haven't had a bruise like that. I used to drive a XR 600. I prolly still can rip! Awesome group of guys! Keep shredding!

[@dwayneabsolutelydribblin3903]

Yr compound is paradise? Too have this much fun in the U.K. isn’t easy we all 40+ riding highly tuned 50cc 2’s lolol whaaaa need to move in there 🤘🏻👍🏻

[@timothyjohnston187]

Awesome video I have a 1992 CR500 with a big bore kit 535 hot rod crank port and polished vforce 3 reeds gnarly pipe my bike goes back to the future

[@kingoffunelvispresley261]

Holy Chinese Anthropology Batman That Was An Awesome setup & bikes & Taylor Kaplan is Awesome Too she's the Bomb💣🌋🤜🤯🤛🌋💣

[@johnnyem-grafix4024]

Love this video- all of em. Now I’m gonna watch Senior RIP that gorgeous little 500 ( 80cc - Honda Elsinore 💪🏻💯🇺🇸😜 it’s a must see on how powerful these machines really are- 🇺🇸

[@danielrelph6878]

C'mon everyone knows the kx500 has a way better motor than the Cr speed is similar but the kx has way more breadth in the power.I own an 91 kx and a 96 cr...did i mention the suspension...the cr beats your hands to death both have race tech suspension....for me kx all the way and on top end the Kx500 walks away from the Cr...in the desert it isnt even close the Cr headshakes like a wet dog tiring to ride in the desert

[@rickgruffman7132]

Be careful with that Guns n Roses intro. I hear their label is really weird about copyright infringement. I'm subscribed to another YT channel that got a nasty letter threatening legal action if the content creator didn't cease and desist. Sad but true. Love this channel, by the way.

[@davidmclavey1667]

Holy shit larry!! I remember when my KTM500 mx did that to me!! Long live the big bore 2 strokes !!!

[@chestercallahan8856]

That Saleen is beautiful!

[@kenharris8743]

There you are 4-stroke lovers the cr500 makes Moore torque on the dyno he just said it pull 25% more torque than his 4-stroke so haha stop lying to people saying for strokes make more torque!!

[@SteveHacker]

How AMAZINGLY COOL! I wish stuff like this was around where I live in Southwest Georgia! So how come no one is riding the motocross track? It looks grassed-over as if it’s either new, and waiting for some knobs to chew it up, or as if it’s old and nobody rides it anymore and grass has grown back. So what’s its story? Great video!

[@KaplanCycles]

Steve Hacker we tore it up later in the day we didn't want to have any of the old dudes wreck the bikes before the drag race so we did that first it was an all-day event started at noon until about 10 p.m. I don't know if you noticed but the track is lighter so it right at night

[@jimyounger9490]

I’m callin the RM before I see the hole shot !! My man didn’t even try !! Holy freak , I never seen orange eye !! Thumbs up to the women !!

[@jenningsmike]

I believe I've got the fastest 1984 cr500r in the U.S. you guys are just too far away for me to come play

[@n8bolton]

Fuckin' hell! Lemme put a ring on one of those gorgeous young ladies' fingers.

[@jackwilson4197]

Man I miss racing ! Nothing like line up next too 39 other guys going wide open into one turn raced a KX250 ,KX125. Four couple years 1984 to 88 . Mx people are the best. You guys rock.

[@antiantifafafa9547]

The old man, with the young heart ..😁🤐😂 How wuuuuundervoll 🙏 (don't be angry with me, please) 🤔🤓

[@daveforsythe9021]

You people are awesome!! I’m 55 grew up riding bikes. My biggest was a250. Always wanted to try a big bore. Good on ya! Thanks for preserving them. I know that the four strokes are pretty hot now. Still can’t compare to a two stroke on the pipe. God bless and stay safe . From Canada.

[@adamganjaman2275]

Oh the first cr 500 far as i know it's the most powerful one Honda has to de tune the torque curve on it the following years because they were to jumpy for most riders so it's the one I'd want lol

[@stupse4810]

Them 500's int no joke pops ass must b sore😂

[@jonellwanger7258]

[@jimiwith2eyes]

Damn them bruises on his butt look painful! !?!! Nastii just nastii eh'........................

[@victoroneill4381]

kx500 all day ...only one of the cr500s could hang with it...lol but all very nice 500s.

[@nardo2354]

Absolutely awesome video ! ! ! Love seeing all those big bore two strokes lined up beside one another.

[@Thefailcycle]

Is that wolverine?

[@AudiophileTubes]

Awesome 2 stroke bikes... gorgeous ladies... black & blue ass... only on KZbin!

[@theradchase3094]

Kaplan cycles what's the difference in power between the cr500 and kx500

[@derwinwestfall7329]

Had a m.star maico gm 500 1985 watercooled omg an assbuster.there lol

[@dakotaosmer4391]

Wr500???? There’s no videos of vintage husky’s ☹️.

[@dannywilliams3928]

What a blast! Looks like you guys had a hell of a lot of fun on the 500 race.

[@stephengalvan7722]

Dang larry get better soon

[@billyhighfill]

Bro. You hang out with some cool dudes!! I want a 2 stroke now. They sound amazing

[@gtisid]

think larry might need to be put on a jig for re alignment . daughters or girlfriends? cool video guys

[@racingjunk7024]

This video is golden makes me happy to be on a bike

[@markcdeyoung3118]

Dang'd all that over load a stereo like eyeeye candy will make you dog excited enough ta sprout horns

[@LeeKirkman88]

What no Maico 490?

[@mattyfresh9698]

That cacklin harmony of big bore smokers is enough to give any gearhead a stiffy

[@MrJames-dk3my]

That's why I never let unqualified people ride my bike.

[@DetroitFettyghost]

Kaplan- your a dying breed. A real patriot. A real American bad ass. Lamb chops Xtra Large in charge, Still ripped going on 60, Tall as an Oak- manhandles 500's like a bear on a salmon. Thank you for allowing us to enjoy your museum and buisness- online for free!

[@KaplanCycles]

Thank you brother ML&R

[@stephenbrown5844]

Just another fantastic vid, cheers guys n girls💖💖👍😂😊

[@japhethbonnema]

As an fyeah subscriber I kinda fanboyed a bit when I saw pete

[@JakeMas]

Dear mr Kaplan you just have it all and seem like a cool dude to ride and chill with if you do this again before the end of the summer please add me to the invite list.

[@KaplanCycles]

Jake Mastro Jake you are in!

[@iamkazie9401]

@@KaplanCycles love watching your videos I liked and subscribed awhile back I'm 54 and grew up riding dirt bikes this looks like it was a fun time what a beautiful place to ride what I wouldn't give to come out there with my 19 year old son and jump on one of your Honda CR125,250,500 THANKS FOR SHARING PEACE AND GOD BLESS FROM CHICAGO!!

[@johnnyem-grafix4024]

Pink Floyd!!!! You got some yard my friend! Oh my God !!!!

[@andybowyer3602]

KENNY YOUR PLACE IS BOSS! AN THEM 500 HUGE BORE'S BLOW MY MIND 😜🤪🤪👍

[@zacharyfridmann8226]

Just got a 84 4 stroke xr500r can’t wait to get her runnin. Been sittin for a year

[@nicobas773]

Good Times- Happ days- happy Wife- happy Life !!!

[@dieseldave71]

I have an '81 KTM 495 (the Dirt Bike Magazine 123mph record holder) , I'd like to bring it if you do this again

[@KaplanCycles]

Consider yourself invited we will post the date soon

[@KaplanCycles]

April 26th! Can u make it

[@dieseldave71]

I sure would like to! I'll need the address and the password to the Compound, you can text them to 609 377 9950

[@KaplanCycles]

200 west main street, ROCKVILLE ct 06066, the password is BIGBORE2STROKES4EVER BB2SFFBB2S

[@cmcycles8387]

Will there be a next one? ill bring up the 84 cheers from Beaver PA

[@edwardweiszbeck1649]

Awesome video. You guys are from my era. Great to see you all still into motorbikes

[@yamaharaptor01able]

Man,can I come hang out some weekend lol? Looks wicked over there! Have 2 kx500's I'll bring with,90&93. BRAAAAAAAAPPPPPP!!!!!!!!

[@fullnoyz7670]

How are all these guys sitting down with balls that big!?

[@andybowyer3602]

2.22 PETER making himself known!!!!

[@nk0723]

Love the bikes And the girls

[@stp479]

We all know 4 strokes are for mowing grass.

[@sendit1158]

Go Larry

[@HWG-wm8ld]

Man, I could do that all day. Then fire up the grill.

[@logansportpilotrp8174]

nice bikes,my brother in law has a 87 husqvarna 500

[@christomczak3387]

WHERE S THE maico 500 kING OF THE HILL!!!!