| MODEL | HONDA XBR 500 1985 - 1989 |
| Year | 1985 - 1989 |
| Engine Type | Four-stroke, single cylinder, SOHC, RFVC 4-valve |
| Displacement / Capacity | 498 cc / 30.4 cu in |
| Bore X Stroke | 92 x 75 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.0:1 |
| Cooling System | Air cooled |
| Max Power | 32.8 kW / 44 hp @ 7000 rpm |
| Max Torque | 42.7 Nm / 31.8 lb-ft @ 6000 rpm |
| Ignition | CDI |
| Induction | 39 mm CV carburettor |
| Start System | Electric and kick |
| TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
| Lubrication | Quasi-dry sump, oil tank under the seat |
| Gear Box | 5-speed |
| Clutch | — |
| Final Drive | Chain |
| CHASSIS SPECS | |
| Frame | — |
| Front Suspension | 35 mm telescopic forks, 140 mm travel |
| Rear Suspension | Swingarm with hydraulic dampers, 100 mm travel |
| Front Brakes | Single 276 mm disc, 2-piston caliper |
| Rear Brakes | 140 mm drum |
| DIMENSION SPECS | |
| Overall Length | 2100 mm / 82.6 in |
| Overall Width | 700 mm / 27.5 in |
| Overall Height | 1050 mm / 41.3 in |
| Seat Height | 780 mm / 30.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 1400 mm / 55.1 in |
| Ground Clearance | 160 mm / 6.3 in |
| Dry Weight | 150 kg / 330.6 lbs |
| Wet Weight | — |
| WHEEL SPECS | |
| Front Tyre | 100/90-18 |
| Rear Tyre | 110/90-18 |
| FUEL SYSTEM | |
| Fuel Capacity | 20 Litres / 5.2 US gal |
| Fuel Consumption | — |
| Top Speed | 173.8 km/h / 108 mph |
Photo: SG2012, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Trubadix (German Wikipedia), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The XBR500 was Honda's mid-1980s take on the classic British-style sporting single, with a traditional look, a single front disc and an air-cooled 498 cc four-valve RFVC engine. The engine was related to Honda's XL and XR off-road singles and used a quasi-dry-sump oil system. It was light, frugal and had a big 20-litre tank, but reviewers criticised the soft rear damping, carburation and early starter-clutch failures. Early bikes ran on Comstar wheels, and the final H and J versions switched to wire wheels. Sales peaked in 1985-86 and the model was later remembered as an under-appreciated classic.
