Honda XR500: history, specs, pictures
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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| Manufacturer | Honda |
|---|---|
| Also called | XR 500 |
| Production | 1980 - 1983 |
| Class | Misc |
| Engine | single cylinder, four-stroke |
| Bore / Stroke | 89.0mm x 80.0mm |
| Top speed | 93 mph (150 km/h) |
| Horse Power | 85.15 HP (63.5 KW) @ 6500RPM |
| Torque | 30.61 ft/lbs (41.5 Nm) @ 5500RPM |
| Fuel system | carburettor |
| Ignition type | cdi |
| Battery | 8.6:1 |
| Transmission | Gear box: 5-speed Final Drive: chain |
| Suspension | Front: oil dumped telescopic Rear: pivoted rear fork |
| Brakes | Front: expanding brake (drum brake) Rear: expanding brake (drum brake) |
| Wheelbase | 55.12 inches (1400 mm) |
| Dimensions | L 87.01 inches (2210 mm) W 34.45 inches (875 mm) H 47.83 inches (1215 mm) |
| Seat height | 34.65 inches (880 mm) |
| Weight | 271.17 pounds (123.0 Kg) (dry), 135.0 kg (wet) |
| Fuel capacity | 5.28 Gallon (20.00 Liters) |
| Oil capacity | 0.53 Gallon (2.00 Liters) |
| Fuel consumption | 6.00 litres/100 km (16.7 km/l or 39.20 mpg) |
| Manuals | Service Manual |
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The Honda XR500 was a single cylinder, four-stroke Misc motorcycle produced by Honda between 1980 and 1983. It could reach a top speed of 93 mph (150 km/h). Max torque was 30.61 ft/lbs (41.5 Nm) @ 5500 RPM. Claimed horsepower was 85.15 HP (63.5 KW) @ 6500 RPM.
Engine
The engine was a air cooled single cylinder, four-stroke. A 89.0mm bore x 80.0mm stroke result in a displacement of just 500.0 cubic centimeters. Fuel was supplied via a overhead cams (ohc).
Drive
The bike has a 5-speed transmission. Power was moderated via the wet plate.
Chassis
Stopping was achieved via expanding brake (drum brake) in the front and a expanding brake (drum brake) in the rear. The front suspension was a oil dumped telescopic while the rear was equipped with a pivoted rear fork. The XR500 was fitted with a 5.28 Gallon (20.00 Liters) fuel tank. The bike weighed just 271.17 pounds (123.0 Kg). The wheelbase was 55.12 inches (1400 mm) long.