Across 4 covered model years from 1979 to 1982, the Honda XL 500 S motorcycle has a listed wet/running weight of 313.1 lb (142 kg).
Honda XL 500 S weight overview
This sits in a fairly light weight range. That does not guarantee easy handling, but it reduces the sheer mass you have to manage at a stop.
Light Motorcycle
How heavy is the Honda XL 500 S?
wet weight
Using a model-level wet weight comparison, the Honda XL 500 S is lighter than about 51.4% of 36 Honda allround models with compatible weight data.
Ready-to-ride weight
Bike + rider total weight
These totals use the model’s representative wet weight. They exclude riding gear, luggage and a passenger.
Honda XL 500 S weight & related specs
| Model years covered | 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982 |
|---|---|
| Wet / running weight | 313.1 lb (142 kg) |
| Engine displacement | 497 cc |
| Power | 27 hp |
| Fuel capacity | 2.77 US gal (10.5 L) |
| Full-tank fuel weight (estimated) | 17.2 lb (7.8 kg) |
Weight changes by model year
Useful weight calculations
| Horsepower per 100 lb | 8.62 hp / 100 lb |
|---|---|
| Pounds per horsepower | 11.59 lb / hp |
| Displacement per pound | 1.59 cc / lb |
| Weight per 100 cc | 63 lb / 100 cc |
| Fuel weight as % of bike weight | 5.5% |
What the weight numbers tell you
Honda XL 500 S weight FAQ
How heavy is the Honda XL 500 S ready to ride?
Listed ready-to-ride weight is 313.1 lb (142 kg). The year-specific section above shows which years use each figure where the supplied value changes.
Is the Honda XL 500 S heavy compared with other Honda allround models?
It sits fairly close to the middle of the category. Its representative wet weight is around the 49th percentile among 36 compatible Honda allround models.
Does the Honda XL 500 S weight change by model year?
Not in the usable weight data on this page. Across the covered 1979-1982 years, the supplied weight figure remains the same where comparable values are available.
How much does the Honda XL 500 S fuel weigh?
The listed tank capacity is 2.77 US gal (10.5 L). Using approximately 0.745 kg/L gasoline, a full tank is roughly 17.2 lb (7.8 kg). That is an estimate for fuel mass, not an official Honda curb-weight calculation.
How heavy is the Honda XL 500 S with an average-size rider?
A 180 lb rider brings the simple bike-plus-rider total to roughly 493.1 lb (223.6 kg) using the representative wet/running figure. Gear and luggage would add more.
How much horsepower does the Honda XL 500 S have per 100 lb?
Where compatible power and weight figures are available, it works out to 8.62 hp per 100 lb. That places it around the 64th percentile within the compatible Honda allround power-to-weight comparison.
How many cc does the Honda XL 500 S have per pound?
Engine displacement relative to bike weight is 1.59 cc per lb. It can help compare motorcycles from very different displacement classes without relying on cc alone.
How does the Honda XL 500 S compare with the median Honda allround weight?
The model sits about 6.6 lb (3 kg) lighter than the compatible median Honda allround weight used on this page.
Will the Honda XL 500 S 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.
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.