RIP to Robbie Dagan (who loved this channel) He was a 2x Australian Road Race Champ also my best mate that lost his life on his KTM500EXC 21 setup for Motard on the 15th November 2021... He would have bought this bike if he could...
Love it. My very first bike was a CR500. Crazy I know. I had no idea what I was in for. It was a stubborn beast. I really had to work to get it started. Fun as hell. I learned to respect that powerband very quickly
lol my first bike was a KLX250 and my second bike a CR500E. I felt like the KLX250 had taught me absolutely nothing when I twisted the throttle of the 500. Scary thing was that after a year I didn't even think the 500 was very fast as I got so used to it. Probably a good thing I sold it as I think this is when you get into trouble. Did you do the lean over trick to drain the float bowl before starting? Mine would usually start first kick this way.
oh man what a beauty! if you've never driven a dirt bike fast on pavement, you are missing out on the elemental motorcycle experience. awesome video boys, many thanks.
I had a '03 super motarded XR650R water cooled Honda thumper that was an absolute gas to ride, and street legal to boot! Sold it for more than what I paid for it a couple years later. Very fun bike, would outcorner any sportbike out there on a tight road.
I loved this video. Ive been off two wheels for about 5 yrs now. Once my little girl was born I decided to sell my bike and take it easy for a bit.... but seeing him hit those twisties brought back some memories. Man i gotta get back in the wind soon
Awesome job with that! Looks great sounds even better! Looks like she's a real trouble maker with the power at the twist of the wrist! Light weight moto-cross chassis and the HP and torque of the legendary CR500! Sick build guys! REALLY sick!
Absolutely brilliant machine. I've owned loads of 2 stroke bikes ranging from cr 250 to cr 500, this vlog takes me back to my track days. Thanks guys brilliant
My buddy had kx500 growing up. What a beast! My old ktm 530exc was just as fast with the right gearing,jetting,akro exhaust and a supermoto kit, she would do 120 on the highway or slap the dirt setup on and hit the singletrack and hill climbing all day. 4 stroke has come a long way but i do miss a nice 2 stroke 👍
Nice graphics Christy,this bike is too cool.Off the charts on the fun factor.I'm a 64 yr old former endure enthusiast that also rode street bikes,I'd love to try that thing!
I REALLY want to like that license plate placement to keep the tail end clear free of any nonsense on my own build, but a supermoto is supposed to look slim in my eyes and that just sticks out too much. Wish we didn't have to run plates lol, or have the option of running them on the side or the front. Regardless, unique placement, and fantastic bike!
I can't deny the fact that riding that particular CR500 on paved roads looks like a blast! I just can't find it in me to think that a *"CR 500"* should become a street bike!! Not trying to ruffle feathers!! God bless America!!
@@kwood55981 - How about a 2 stroke though? Would it be as reliable as a 4 banger, or would you have to rebuild the top end more often? I’m curious, because NOTHING compares to the sound of a 2 stroke in my opinion, and I’d like to build one if it’s just as reliable, or remotely close.
I love every bike they build, from awesome hand made graphics kits to immaculate engines and chassis work, every bike runs perfectly and is just drool worthy in every way, kaplan america and his team are simply awesome ✌️🇦🇺👍😊😁♥️
I once owned a 2001 KTM Duke II LC4 that had the Supermoto style and handling. Easily the most fun I ever had on two wheels. It could only DREAM of being this bike! If Honda made them like this from factory, street ready and titled, they’d sell like CRAZY!
I have a road registered cr125 and it needs a smaller rear sprocket it’s running a 14 tooth front sprocket was thinking around a 40 tooth rear and needing the bigger front disc ,that thing looks awesome
That's one gorgeous Super-Moto CR 500! Billy was taking all of those very tight turns like they were nothing. Didn't even phase Billy! That dude can ride his ass off. I would love to see Billy take his 2 stroke Yamaha TZ 750 on the Tail of the Dragon! I know he would love that!
Loved the “coming to join. You Elizabeth” quote From Sanford and Son. Love that you’re from my era too. Those lines and shows and music and movies stick with you. It would be great to hang with you.
This is awesome, and as a lifelong CT resident, I’m just wondering how you got it road legal and registered! Always dreamed of running a bike like this! Lol!
Depending on the age of the bike you can get it registered in Vermont without a title or inspection as long as it has a VIN, doesn't matter where you live, all done by mail.. They will mail you the reg and new plate. Then you can transfer the registration to your state. I did it with an 83' Honda XR350r. Although, it is unlikely to pass state inspection depending on the rules where you live.
Probably the same way I got my IT400 street legal. GOT LUCKY! haha. I walked into the DMV, told them the bike originally came with lights and turn signals and is fitted for the street, when she went to register it as offroad-only I basically said I'm taking my papers and leaving because that's nonsense, and then just happened to get lucky with another DMV employee who was passing by and said "Oh, you can just change offroad to street in the system." And it was quite literally that simple. They can do it, they just don't want to/don't know the option exists. I documented the process on another channel
Beautiful bike, not sure i'd daily ride this thing though, gotten too soft after daily riding my old Husaberg FS570 factory supermoto. (6 speed EFI 4 stroke smooth power) 😁
Tony Espinoza, thanks for your enthusiasm towards the 2 strokes .. I own and race an 06 Suzuki Rm 250 .. I'm also a 2 stroke tuner... I give you a tip.. try out a fmf sst pipe with a fmf shorty silencer...fmf put alot of r and d into the sst they discontinued it .. it has a special module for the stinger.. long story short...the sst pipe when jetted properly... makes a huge difference throughout the entire powerband... I think the sst would of a bit hit if fmf would of made a works version... no matter how good the pipe worked all the feed back was that everyone hated the chrome finish .. trust me the sst is the absolute best 2 stroke pipe ever developed...be prepared to hang on .. I've try all the pipes .. the fmf sst is way better than the competition... thanks for all your hard work ..I'll send a photo of my Rm .. in a few days ...
I cant help but shake my head thinking of all the historic bikes along with variations such as this thats been a part of Kens collection. Just the chance to see whats on display at any time would be mind numbing imagine the mental image of every motocrosser thats growled thru there. A two stroke is what motocross was to me and those big bore two bangers were pure terror on the track and I will never forget their deep evil growl.
This was exactly what I was gonna do with the 97 cr500 if I won it during the raffle. Think I'd slap a 6 piston Beringer caliper and master cylinder on that bad boy would also love to see how my 660 SMC would compete with this beast
...put the big Enduro wheels in the 660 KTM ....Road tires....longer transmission....Then you Wil habe Fun ! My gründen Made 120 000 km with that Bike with one piston ,one clutch ,no Big problems Rising in Black forrest Germany and switzerland...
The seat puts me in mind of the FMX 650 super moto. A super moto set up for the macho490 would be good as well, not something you see every day that's for sure. Thanks guys.😉👍
I’ve been waiting for you guys to get ahold of a Mid 90’s CR 500 to do a Super moto build on.This is the first one I’ve ever seen and Ive always been into dirt bikes and since the Motards started gettin built I’m into those as my newest kick. And just got a 41 item packing slip full of parts to build mine today. But I’m stoked to Finally see the someone ( and who else would I expect to do a Cr 500 supermoto build but you ). Yet I’m really surprised that nobodies built out the King of them all, in my opinion , the very best example of a classic Raw horse power totally, naturally aspirated Two Stroke. And even with the crazy colors it’s kept classy and true to form in its blood red, black and white. With polished aluminum. Like the colors a 90’s cr woulda actually have been. And in my opinion warp 9 by car makes the best best super moto rims. and prolly work the best being as fat as they are! And not that I wouldn’t use the decompression release, to start this. Cause like the old rule if ya can’t kick it over ya can’t ride. Kicking over a bike that’s pushin 200lb+ compression is difficult enough to weed out 80% the people. But with a decompression, and with all the electronics as a street bike, I’ve never seen an electric start cr500, and question if there’s a stator and staring gear that’s compatible, though I guess a creative and crafty mechanic could potentially make somethin happen, the stator cover would most likely come from another bike. But might be worth the headache building it, to get the full effect. But than again. It might loose its simple wild animal character all dressed up out for a night on the town. Glad to see your take on a Cr500 supermoto.the ways it’s supposed to get done.
Now that is the bike if I was going to go all in this is the perfect setup only thing in SC have to have horn and turn signals added and your good to go, and also I really enjoy your channel my two favorite hobbies are Bikes & HamRadio 😊
Super-Moto, Super Fun,.. Super Nice Bike! I'll see your place one day when I want the best super technically & lovingly rebuilt machine(s)! Stellar Job & Stay Safe, To All!
That brings back memories , i had a supermoto street legal one a couple o years ago in florida , Even cops where pulling me over just to check it out it turned heads everywhere , sold it on Ebay to a guy on Tampa It was insane to ride , on the street ported it has it all all red , with the numbe 7 on it
Amazing build guy's. Long time fan. I had to switch my phone a while back but man what a great bike. 👍 I wish I could have this bike maybe one day. Stay blessed may GOD keep blessing us all merry Christmas eve.
You chased him down like he spilled some milk. And the big whoa when your cars going toward the woods like your on the bike. Reminds me of running full out on 180hp 2004 ninja zx10r with muzzy pearl blazing orange with orange tomahawk tires. Rocket ship
Steve from Annapolis one other comment I have to say the bike just doesn't look like a ordinary old street bike they all look the same now just like the new Corvettes they all look the same all the cars look the same boring boring boring that bike is just so badass looking and it's a red rocket and it'll run forever and you can run off the side of the road to a main dirt road without having to worry about your suspension getting damaged that's a new resource of bad ass combination motorcycle on the street keep up the good work
If anyone in the world would be building a cr500 supermoto it's going to be you Ken and your shop,, build a series of these with that billet motor and they will fly out the door and all over the world,, happy new year from Northern Ireland ☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️🌍🌍🌍🌍🌍
ive done that speed of 120mph on a modified CRF250X by changing rear sprocket...one of my goals before I die is to be in the 200 club at Bonneville with my R1
Morning Kaplan Awesome vid and work done on the supermoto ,Curiosity did you put this on your Dyno to see what it was putting out? Love the vids keep them coming , Colin all the way across the pond in England......
Hello Colin, thank you for the positive feedback I appreciate it Now! No, but we have dynod so many of them with the same build spec I know its got 53Rwhp
They geared em for 120 mph for Finke desert race back in the day they would put the biggest front sprocket on and the back was so small the chain would touch the hub after the new sprockets were run in
Amazing work guys, you’ve got a talented team. If you ever need a donor bike to show what you can do with the TW200, please let me know. Ride safe friends.
Yes dirt bikes on the street is a hole different animal. I've spent probably 35yrs of my life offroad. 4yrs ago i finally bought a supermoto 08 Husqvarna SMR 510. 98% original and it is a blast to take out an an RIP around an it can be a Handful! Instant power traction. No tickets yet!?!?. I would trade my Husky for that CR 500 in less then a second
Growing up, my buddy had a factory trials bike sponsorship from Montesa. He was and still is the best rider I’ve ever rode with, bar none, and I would ride with the likes of some professional ATV racers…anyway my friends dad had a KX500 that had tall gears in it. That bike was so dangerous that my buddy who is a true professional rider alway said that was the one bike that made him nervous. I know for a fact it would do 100+mph on knobbies. Great times. RIP Andrew Marion, killed on a fully built trinity banshee. Gone too soon.
I'm new to this, and this guy is legit. The only problem I have is every bike this guy comes across is about the same size as an XR80 to a 17 year old!
I paint some old school 73 and custom side panels to look like ,silver and green cr 250, alcohol 88 cr500 9,70 et ,123 m.p.h ,never been beat at dirt drags 4 years top end near perfect one of kind lowerd custom goodies
Sweeet awesomeness ken. You lucky sun beach 🏖️ Damm. I hear of the Swiss or French team built a 120 to 140 mph Cr 500. Is this the beast ?. simalar beast. These 500s are my faverate thing to ever come outta japan. Wild fun times. Enjoy the trip brother.
with bidenomics seemingly ever increasing prices including food costs.... with the looney dems running things in ny including many of them being flat out c o r r u p t c r i m i n a l s flip flopping hypocrites blah blahhhh with nyc swindling together $63 million to give a way to biden/democrats illegal aliens in and around nyc by way of giving bidens illegals rfillable cash cards that bidens illegals will not pay even one dime this just happend bout two weeks ago.... and it is after $hundreds of millions$ probably into the $bllions$ have been spent on and for biden/democrats illegal aliens illegally in and around nyc for blah blahh etccc you might not have an extra chunk of change anytime soon.... ya know as we the gov/tax payer are shelling out untold $billions$ on and for biden/democrats millions upon millions of illegal aliens illegally entering and illegally staing in the usa everyday.... the biden/democrat admins illegal immigrant invasion of the usa roars on and will likely continue everyday 24/7 thru 2024.... if trump dose not go back in the white house come 2025 well then more than ever it'll be time to heavily consider and planning on moving out of states such as california and new york to more rational and fiscally responsible states whichby the way tend to be far less crime ridden as well.... just saing
Smart by putting a larger sproket on the front for more speed rather than going smaller in the rear, the front is going to wear out quicker any way since the chain will go around it a bunch more times, some people dont think of that, just sayin , what a nice bike 👍
Needs the forks slid up in the tree an inch, take a bunch of rebound out of the suspension and dial more compression damping front and rear. Sweet bike
It would be awesome IF Honda produced that bike! The bike kinda reminds me of back in the early’80s ABC Wide world of sports American Superbiker series. Always liked Danny “Magoo” Chandler!