Wow... You been riding a CR500 since 2001 and have never crashed it?
LOL, well I worked with a guy for a while who raced a CR250, and he was having surgery after every race, and so I vowed (after the skiing incident where I tore up my shoulder) to not break myself again.
So I ride it a bit like a little old lady, but I have had the throttle wide open.
Hard to hang on with the throttle fully open; it starts sliding you off the seat, no matter how tightly you grip with your legs.
And I did not want to bend the bars or frame, since bikes never quite track correctly after that, and I can feel a bent bike when I ride it (I had one of those).
So I ride to survive, an no racing, or no "official" racing anyway.
Seems like those informal rides always turn into an unofficial race.
I can remember many times riding with a group on my 175, and I would go to shift to a higher gear, and it would not shift, and I would realize that I had the throttle fully open, and was in 5th gear (which for a 175 is not really that fast).
With the 500, I basically accelerate in bursts, where you pop the throttle open for a second or two, and then back off, doing that repeatedly.
Holding the throttle open for more than a second or two (depending on the gear) is risky on a CR500.
Had I know that it was the last year the bike would have been available, I would have bought two of them.
I guess one is enough though.
I live in TN, but intend to set up for riding in Arkansas.
Looks like you are somewhat within driving range, so perhaps one day we will meet up and ride, virus allowing.
Edit:
I really love the feel of a CR500; it becomes like an extension of your body, and feels featherweight compared to fourstrokes I have ridden and own.
And if I get into trouble, I can lock both wheels and slide to a stop, regardless of how fast I am going, or pretty much regardless of the terrain, except loose rocks and such.
Some of my other bikes will do a 180 if you lock both wheels.
And if the bike gets out of whack, and gets all sideways and stuff, just let off the throttle for a second, and it will straighten itself out quickly.
It is a very nimble bike, and a real joy to ride. No bad manners at all, as long as you lean forward.
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