Honda VT 500 C Weight (443lb)

Quick answer

Across the 1983, 1986 and 1987 model years, the Honda VT 500 C (reduced effect) motorcycle has a listed wet/running weight of 443.1 lb (201 kg).

Wet / running weight443.1 lb (201 kg)
Fuel capacity3.04 US gal (11.5 L)
Full tank fuel weight18.9 lb (8.6 kg)
Power / 100 lb6.09 hp / 100 lb
Model years covered
198319861987

Honda VT 500 C (reduced effect) weight overview

WHAT THIS MEANS

This is neither unusually light nor extremely heavy. For most riders the practical weight question is more about seat height, center of mass and low-speed balance than the scale number alone.

Middleweight Motorcycle

CATEGORY WEIGHT POSITION

How heavy is the Honda VT 500 C (reduced effect)?

wet weight

Using a model-level wet weight comparison, the Honda VT 500 C (reduced effect) is lighter than about 81.3% of 67 Honda custom/cruiser motorcycles with compatible weight data.

LighterTypicalHeavier
443.1 lb (201 kg)
67 Honda custom/cruiser motorcyclesMedian: 553.4 lb (251 kg)
WEIGHT VISUAL

Ready-to-ride weight

Wet / running weight443.1 lb (201 kg)
REAL-WORLD LOAD

Bike + rider total weight

These totals use the model’s representative wet weight. They exclude riding gear, luggage and a passenger.

150 lb rider593.1 lb (269 kg)bike + rider • bike is 74.7% of total mass
180 lb rider623.1 lb (282.6 kg)bike + rider • bike is 71.1% of total mass
210 lb rider653.1 lb (296.3 kg)bike + rider • bike is 67.8% of total mass

Honda VT 500 C (reduced effect) weight & related specs

Model years covered 1983, 1986, 1987
Wet / running weight 443.1 lb (201 kg)
Engine displacement 491 cc
Power 27 hp
Fuel capacity 3.04 US gal (11.5 L)
Full-tank fuel weight (estimated) 18.9 lb (8.6 kg)

Weight changes by model year

The available comparable weight figures do not show a meaningful year-to-year change.

Useful weight calculations

Horsepower per 100 lb 6.09 hp / 100 lb
Pounds per horsepower 16.41 lb / hp
Displacement per pound 1.11 cc / lb
Weight per 100 cc 90.3 lb / 100 cc
Fuel weight as % of bike weight 4.3%

What the weight numbers tell you

Using a model-level wet weight comparison, the Honda VT 500 C (reduced effect) is lighter than about 81.3% of 67 Honda custom/cruiser motorcycles with compatible weight data.
Fuel capacity is 3.04 US gal (11.5 L). Using approximately 0.745 kg/L gasoline, that represents roughly 18.9 lb (8.6 kg) of fuel when full.
Available power and weight figures produce a power-to-weight range of 6.09 hp per 100 lb. That is more useful for comparing acceleration potential than horsepower alone.

Honda VT 500 C (reduced effect) weight FAQ

How heavy is the Honda VT 500 C (reduced effect) ready to ride?

Listed ready-to-ride weight is 443.1 lb (201 kg). The year-specific section above shows which years use each figure where the supplied value changes.

Is the Honda VT 500 C (reduced effect) heavy compared with other Honda custom/cruiser motorcycles?

It is on the lighter side in this dataset. Its representative wet weight sits around the 19th weight percentile among 67 Honda custom/cruiser motorcycles, meaning most compatible models are heavier.

Does the Honda VT 500 C (reduced effect) weight change by model year?

Not in the usable weight data on this page. Across the covered 1983, 1986, 1987 years, the supplied weight figure remains the same where comparable values are available.

How much does the Honda VT 500 C (reduced effect) fuel weigh?

The listed tank capacity is 3.04 US gal (11.5 L). Using approximately 0.745 kg/L gasoline, a full tank is roughly 18.9 lb (8.6 kg). That is an estimate for fuel mass, not an official Honda curb-weight calculation.

How heavy is the Honda VT 500 C (reduced effect) with an average-size rider?

A 180 lb rider brings the simple bike-plus-rider total to roughly 623.1 lb (282.6 kg) using the representative wet/running figure. Gear and luggage would add more.

How much horsepower does the Honda VT 500 C (reduced effect) have per 100 lb?

Where compatible power and weight figures are available, it works out to 6.09 hp per 100 lb. That places it around the 24th percentile within the compatible Honda custom / cruiser power-to-weight comparison.

How many cc does the Honda VT 500 C (reduced effect) have per pound?

Engine displacement relative to bike weight is 1.11 cc per lb. It can help compare motorcycles from very different displacement classes without relying on cc alone.

How does the Honda VT 500 C (reduced effect) compare with the median Honda custom/cruiser motorcycle weight?

The model sits about 110.2 lb (50 kg) lighter than the compatible median Honda custom/cruiser motorcycle weight used on this page.

Will the Honda VT 500 C (reduced effect) feel heavy at low speed?

It is most likely to feel heavy while stopped, backing up or on a slope rather than once settled at normal riding speed. Seat height and center of gravity matter a lot.

Official information note

Motorcycle specifications can vary by model year, market, equipment and the exact dry/curb-weight definition. Calculated fuel-weight and ratio figures on this page are estimates derived from the supplied specifications. Confirm critical figures in the owner’s manual or on the official Honda Powersports website.