GasGas EC500 2 Stroke - what do you think?

[Keg]

I see a lot of people talk about Service Honda CR500AF's.

I really think that a CRF frame developed for a 4 stroke has some limitations in handling and feel when putting a totally different motor in it. Using a powervalve-less, old school motor in a modern frame does not make it a modern bike.

So if people are willing to pay $1000's of dollars more for these conversions, why doesn't someone make an EC500 or a KTM500. I know it will take alot of engineering in the cases, a new barrel/top end. Even if it is a 400cc bike it has to be better than an CR500AF, or am I just plain mad thinking this??????????

[wence]

It would have to be a good bike due to the handling and current motor setup. Would be worth a go for someone who had access to the right tools......???
Cheers Mark

[widebear]

I raced a cr500 from 93 through 95. Its not the frame thats limiting, the 500 had good geometry, good brakes, decent suspension when re worked. Its the gyro effect and vibration created by that huge piston which would make turning the beast alot more work. Late brake, perfect appex and then hammer down, no spirited flicking the bike around like having fun with a anorexic super model girlfriend more like its 2 a.m. and your having to refrain a 250 pound, four foot high, drunken Oprah from beating a path to the hoagie sandwich section of the local convienence store. I also rode my friends 2005 kx 250 to 500 conversion on our local trails .In the tight ,that was about as much fun as pushing a fully loaded wheelbarrow of wet cement.

[Fred1956]

Originally Posted by widebear

I raced a cr500 from 93 through 95. Its not the frame thats limiting, the 500 had good geometry, good brakes, decent suspension when re worked. Its the gyro effect and vibration created by that huge piston which would make turning the beast alot more work. Late brake, perfect appex and then hammer down, no spirited flicking the bike around like having fun with a anorexic super model girlfriend more like a refraining a drunken Oprah from b lining it for a seven eleven foot long hoagie.

Ahh yes, the memories of open class 2T MXers...I raced open class from the late 70's to the late 80's/early 90's, everything from 400 & 420cc Kawis to the 'turn on a dime' Maico 440 & 490, even had a monster KTM 495 (before orange) and at the time snubbed my nose at the 250 class. Somewhere technology caught up to the 'beasts' and the 250 was almost as fast and a way easier to control.
In this day and age give me a well setup EC300 or EC250 and I'll have a big smile on my face.
Late in the day the EC300 may want to go after a Big Mac but not the 7ft hoagie :-)

[iancp5]

Can't think of anything worse than a 500 smoker for what I ride. A 300 is a bit much towards the end. It'd be a real nasty thing. Ok for a bit of fun in the open.

[c-152]

I rode a 92 kx 500 for 2 years in 07 and 08. I actually enjoyed the power and felt like for the most part, it was easier to ride for a lazy rider like myself. I had a flywheel on it and it was, dare I say, smooth unless your whacked it opened and then, wow! I got rid of it admittedly because it lacked the turning ability of the smaller bikes. That or am I one of the few people to admit that it was just to much bike for my skill level? Having ridden my 99 ec250 for a few years. I can say for the riding and skill level i do, the 250 is a bike for me at this point. It is not power that ever kept me at the bottom of some really nasty hill, it was skill level. At 62, My dad still rides a 1987 yz 490 and would have it no other way. So their is still a market out there. I think a new ec500 with modern technology, and the magic button would have a market. I do not believe that the 500 was unworkable, I believe that the 500 simply ran into a lack of commitment from factories to improve arcane technology. Look at the big four and 250cc tech....pitiful.....Lets be glad to have gasgas and ktm to keep improving.

[dank]

so what if they made a 500ish big smoker, and put it at a husabergish platform, i.e make it the crazy 70 degree engine that made the 4 stroke husaberg turn so much better? if they reformatted the motor, do you think it would make a good bike?

[Keg]

I really like the idea of keeping the correct motors in the correct frame and then try to increase capacity to make a big bore. Surely it would have to handle better than a 2T/4T hybrid.

Anyone know how to cast up a barrel?

[snoopjonnyjon]

I would definately want an EC500 if one existed. 90% of the offroad riding I do is on my KX500, and the other 10% is on the EC400FSE, or KLX650R. Out in the forest where I ride, the sand just consumes so much power that I really prefer riding the 500 two stroke. Pull a gear higher than you normally would and you always have the power on tap, but very controllablle. I do think the 400fse is less fatiguing though. I think a KTM 380 would be an interesting bike to try riding. Quite a bit more modern chassis than the KX500.

[roostafish]

A KTM 380 is a fantastic bike. The ones I have ridden were horribly jetted, but overall, the bike was great. Big power, low rpm performance was hampered by a blubbery spot at about 1/8th throttle, but if it were my bike and I could get rid of that, it would be a nice bike, save for that awful rear suspension.