The Honda XR 500 motorcycle specifications include a 498 cc (30.39 cu in) engine, a 5-speed gearbox, and a listed weight of 135 kg (297.6 lb).
Key specifications
The 1980 model is treated as the standard specification. Only later model years with a different supplied value are shown below.
How the Honda XR 500 compares
This compares the motorcycle with all Honda models in this specifications database. The blue marker is this model and the grey line is the Honda database average.
About 12% lower than the Honda database average. Around the 54th percentile across Honda models.
About 32% lighter than the Honda database average. Around the 27th percentile across Honda models.
About 13% taller than the Honda database average. Around the 92nd percentile across Honda models.
About 26% smaller than the Honda database average. Around the 33rd percentile across Honda models.
Honda database percentile rankings
Percentiles show where this motorcycle sits across the Honda specifications database. They are descriptive database rankings, not performance ratings.
498 cc — larger displacement than about 54% of Honda models.
135 kg — heavier than about 27% of Honda models, or lighter than about 73%.
880 mm — taller than about 92% of Honda models.
10 L — larger than about 33% of Honda fuel tanks in this database.
Dimensions compared with Honda average
Each measurement is compared with the average value across Honda models where that dimension is available.
2,210
2,078
6% above average.
875
827
6% above average.
1,215
1,161
5% above average.
1,400
1,431
Close to average.
880
780
13% above average.
280
184
52% above average.
Mechanical overview
Additional useful specifications
| Front tire size | 3.00-21 |
|---|---|
| Rear tire size | 4.10-17 |
| Engine oil capacity | 2.00 L (2.11 US qt) |
| Estimated theoretical fuel range | 167 km |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 1.11:1 (Oversquare) |
Model information
| Category | Enduro / offroad |
|---|
Engine specifications
| Engine type | Single cylinder, four-stroke |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 498 cc (30.39 cu in) |
| Torque | 41.5 Nm (4.2 kgf-m or 30.6 ft.lbs) @ 5,500 rpm |
| Bore × stroke | 89.0 x 80 mm (3.5 x 3.1 inches) |
| Compression ratio | 8.6:1 |
| Valves per cylinder | 4 |
| Cooling system | Air |
| Fuel system | Carburettor. KEIHIN |
| Fuel control | Single Overhead Cams (SOHC) |
| Ignition | CDI |
| Starter | Kick |
| Lubrication | WET SUMP |
| Oil capacity | 2.00 L (2.11 US qt) |
Transmission and drivetrain
| Gearbox | 5-speed |
|---|---|
| Final drive | Chain (final drive) |
| Clutch | WET PLATE |
Chassis and suspension
| Frame | WELDED TUBULAR |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | OIL DUMPED TELESCOPIC |
| Rear suspension | PIVOTED REAR FORK |
| Front wheel travel | 224 mm (8.8 inches) |
| Rear wheel travel | 198 mm (7.8 inches) |
Brakes, wheels and tires
| Front brakes | Expanding brake (drum brake) |
|---|---|
| Rear brakes | Expanding brake (drum brake) |
| Front tire | 3.00-21 |
| Rear tire | 4.10-17 |
Dimensions and weight
| Wet weight | 135 kg (297.6 lb) |
|---|---|
| Dry weight | 123 kg (271.2 lb) |
| Seat height | 880 mm (34.6 inches) |
| Overall length | 2,210 mm (87.0 inches) |
| Overall width | 875 mm (34.4 inches) |
| Overall height | 1,215 mm (47.8 inches) |
| Wheelbase | 1,400 mm (55.1 inches) |
| Ground clearance | 280 mm (11.0 inches) |
Fuel and emissions
| Fuel capacity | 10.00 L (2.64 US gal) |
|---|---|
| Reserve fuel capacity | 2.00 L (0.53 US gal) |
| Fuel consumption | 6.00 L/100 km (16.7 km/l or 39.20 mpg) |
| Greenhouse gases | 139.2 CO 2 g/km. (CO2 – Carbon dioxide emission) |
Performance
| Top speed | 140.0 km/h (87.0 mph) |
|---|---|
| Power/weight ratio | 0.2927 hp/kg |
Other specifications
| Color options | RED |
|---|
Disclaimer: Specifications may vary by market, trim, production date and optional equipment, and scraped or historical data can contain errors. Comparison and percentile values are calculated from Honda models in this specifications database. Always double-check important specifications against the motorcycle owner’s/service manual and official Honda information before relying on them. Visit the official Honda website.