90 CR500 power question

[CRF397]

I found a 90 CR500 for a good deal. My question is how is the power for that year? How does it compare to a 99? How is the 90 tranny compared to a 99 wide ratio? I ride mostly trails.

[hoofarted]

I ride a 92 and can tell the difference in an 85-86 bike as they had more grunt down low. But it still has plenty of power. Wide ratio gears (93+) are the same 1st thru 3rd. The wider 4th and 5th gears help in the open desert quite a bit. If you ride open areas with a close ratio, you'll be trying to click up to 6th!

[JBaze]

I feel the power delivery on the 90 to be alot smoother than on the earlier years. I didn't notice the hit the way the 86 and 87's felt. But like Hoofarted said, you'll be wanting to up shift if you ride the dez or open areas. Hell I use a 90 engine in my AF, it has a 19" rear wheel, and it feels like the bike tops out at 60mph. But still a very good engine IMO.

[south central hoon]

If you found a deal, go get it. there are a lot of things you can do with these motors to suit your riding style i.e. porting and gearing. if you ride trails the 90 motor should be great, but i recommend a little port work for that low-end bark.

GSS in the approved vendor section is supposed to have a nice TRAIL PORT set-up.