Honda XR500

The Honda XR500 was a dirtbike produced by Honda between 1979 and 1984. It had a 498cc Air cooled engine. All XR500s after 1980 were XR500Rs.

1979

1979 Honda XR500

The XR500'79 was sold in 1979 in Tahitian Red. The "HONDA" tank decal was red. The top of the tank, side cover panels, and headlight cowl were black. The "XR500" side cover graphic was red and white. The front wheel was 23" while the rear was 18". The engine was a 498cc OHC 4-valve single cylinder with 2 head pipes. The transmission was a 5-speed. The serial number began PE01-5000001

1980

1980 Honda XR500

The XR500'80 was sold in 1980 in Tahitian Red. The gas tank had a wing decal. The control levers and kickstarter arm were black. This year it had a smaller muffler. The front wheel was 23" while the rear was 18". The engine was a 498cc OHC 4-valve single cylinder with 2 head pipes. The transmission was a 5-speed. The serial number began PE01-5100001

1981

1981 Honda XR500

The XR500R'81 was sold in 1981 in Tahitian Red. The number plate panels were black. The "XR"side cover decal was black. The engine color was solid black. The rear suspension had a Pro-Link. The gas tank was plastic. The front wheel was 21" while the rear was 17". The engine had reed valve induction. The engine was a 498cc OHC 4-valve single cylinder with 2 head pipes. The transmission was a 5-speed. The serial number began JH2PE010*BM200013

1981 Honda Motorcycle Full-Line Brochure

1982

1982 Honda XR500

The XR500R'82 was sold in 1982 in Tahitian Red. The number plate panels were white. The "XR" side cover decal was white. The engine color was black with polished cylinder head fins. The rear suspension had a Pro-Link. The gas tank was plastic. The front wheel was 21" while the rear was 17". The engine had reed valve induction. The engine was a 498cc OHC 4-valve single cylinder with 2 head pipes. The transmission was a 5-speed. The serial number began JH2PE010*CM300003

1983

1983 Honda XR500

1983 Honda XR500 in Red

1983 Honda XR500R in Flash Red

1983 Honda XR500R in Orange

1983 Honda XR500R in Orange

1983 Honda XR500R in Orange

The XR500R'83 was sold in 1983 in Flash Red. The number plate panels were yellow. The seat and tool bag were blue. The fork boots were black. the "500R" swingarm decal was also black. The front brakes were hydraulic disc. The rear suspension had a Pro-Link. The gas tank was plastic. The engine was a 498cc OHC RFVC dry sump single cylinder fueled by two carburetors and had two head pipes. The transmission was a 5-speed. The serial number began JH2PE030*DM000022

1984

1984 Honda XR500

1984 Honda XR500

The XR500R'84 was sold in 1984 in Flash Red. It had plastic handguards. The "500R" swingarm decal was red and white. The front brakes were hydraulic disc. The rear suspension had a Pro-Link. The gas tank was plastic. The engine was a 498cc OHC RFVC dry sump single cylinder fueled by two carburetors and had two head pipes. The transmission was a 5-speed.

• Engine: RFVC radial valve, 498cc dual-carburetor dry sump
• Suspension: Pro-Link™ rear suspension
• Brake: Disc front brake
• Wheelbase: 1425mm (56.1 in.)
• Dry weight: 121 kg (266.7 lb)
• Seat height: 950mm (37.4 in.)
• Front wheel travel: 280mm (11 in.)
• Rear wheel travel: 280mm (11 in.)
• The serial number began JH2PE030*EM100001