

This edition of the Honda CR 500 R is the 5 speed | Manual version and was first brought out in 1999. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2000 Honda CBR 900 RR Fireblade 929 and the 2000 Yamaha YZF1000 R1.This particular Honda CR 500 has a 491cc Liquid cooled, Four stroke, V-Twin Petrol powerplant with 1 cylinders and Carburettor.
The 1999 CR 500 shares its V-Twin engine and Off-Road style configuration with the likes of the 2020 Kawasaki KLX 250 Camo and the 2020 Kawasaki KLX 230 Single Cylinder. Alternatively, if you're looking for other bikes which share the CR 500's Off-Road style with a similar size of engine then how about the 2020 Kawasaki KLX 230 Single Cylinder | 2020cc.2020 Kawasaki KLX 250 Single Cylinder | 2020cc.
Weighing in at 112 kgs (246 lbs) this makes the Honda CR 500 R in the same weight category as the 2025 Yamaha WR 250 F or the 2024 Yamaha YZF-R15 V4, give or take 50kg.
In terms of power the 491cc 1 valve V-Twin 1 cylinder engine produces 56 bhp (41 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2025 Yamaha WR 250 F [36.1 bhp (26 kW) @ 12000 rpm] or the 2025 Honda X-ADV 745 [57.8 bhp (43 kW) @ 6750 rpm].
The N/A Four stroke unit throws out torque of 53.2 lb-ft (72.2 Nm) @ 6000 rpm placing it alongside motorbikes of similar performance figures such as the 2025 Kawasaki Z 900 DOHC [73.0 lb-ft (99.1 Nm) @ 7700 rpm] and the 2025 Yamaha T�n�r� 700 [50.2 lb-ft (68.0 Nm) @ 6500 rpm].
If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Honda CR 500 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.
The 1999 Honda CR 500 R has a Power to weight ratio of 500.0 bhp per ton and 475.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1999 CR 500 competing with the 2019 Kawasaki Z 900 RS [523.8 bhp\ton] and the 2018 Kawasaki Z 900 RS [523.8 bhp\ton].
If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby, then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance is Torque. Factor weight into the equation and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Honda CR 500 generating around 475.8 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other motorbikes have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1985 Honda CR 500 R [493.0 lb-ft per ton] and the 2015 Honda RC 213 V-S Kit [483.5 lb-ft per ton].
With a 0-60mph time of 7.4 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.6 secs, this makes the Honda CR 500 R similar in acceleration to the 2022 Yamaha FJR 1300 20th Anniversary Edition (7.4 secs) and the 2020 Yamaha FJR 1300 Ultimate Edition (7.4 secs). This Honda CR 500 R also competes in terms of 0-60 mph and 0-100km/h with the 2018 Honda CB 250 R Neo Sports Cafe (0.0 secs) and the 2020 Norton Superlight SS (0.4 secs).
Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 1999 Honda CR 500 R and the 1978 Suzuki GP 125 Single Cylinder
When talking about the performance of the 1999 Honda CR 500 R on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 0 secs @ 0 mph. Bikes with a similar performance down the quarter mile can be found in the 1978 Suzuki GP 125 Single Cylinder (0 secs) and the 2017 Kawasaki Ninja 650 KRT (0 secs).
The 1999 version of the Honda CR 500 R has a maximum speed of 93mph.
If maxing out your bike on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster at the top end than the 1999 Honda CR 500 R then how about a 2013 Honda CBR 300 R (104 mph) and the 2010 Honda CBR 300 R (104 mph).