| MODEL | HONDA XL 500S 1979 |
| Year | 1979 |
| Engine Type | Four stroke, single cylinder, SOHC, 4 valve, counterbalanced |
| Displacement / Capacity | 497 cc / 30.3 cu in |
| Bore X Stroke | 89 x 80 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 8.6:1 |
| Cooling System | Air cooled |
| Max Power | 23.9 kW / 32 hp @ 6500 rpm |
| Max Torque | 37.3 Nm / 3.8 kgf-m @ 5000 rpm |
| Ignition | CDI |
| Induction | Single 32 mm Keihin CV carburettor |
| Start System | Kick |
| TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
| Lubrication | — |
| Gear Box | 5 Speed |
| Clutch | Wet multi-plate with judder spring |
| Final Drive | Chain |
| CHASSIS SPECS | |
| Frame | Mild steel |
| Front Suspension | Leading axle coil spring forks |
| Rear Suspension | Swing arm, twin dampers, adjustable for preload |
| Front Brakes | 140 mm drum |
| Rear Brakes | 130 mm drum |
| DIMENSION SPECS | |
| Overall Length | — |
| Overall Width | — |
| Overall Height | — |
| Seat Height | 879 mm / 34.6 in |
| Wheelbase | 1420 mm / 55.9 in |
| Ground Clearance | 259 mm / 10.2 in |
| Dry Weight | 135 kg / 297 lbs |
| Wet Weight | — |
| WHEEL SPECS | |
| Front Tyre | 3.00-23 |
| Rear Tyre | 4.60-18 |
| FUEL SYSTEM | |
| Fuel Capacity | 9.8 Litres / 2.6 US gal |
| Fuel Consumption | 50 - 65 mpg |
| Top Speed | 146.5 km/h / 91 mph |
Photo: Dominik g~commonswiki (assumed, no machine-readable author), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The XL500S was Honda's first big four-valve dual-purpose single, a street-legal derivative of the XR500 with twin counterbalancers to smooth the 497 cc engine. Its unusual 23-inch front wheel and leading-axle forks gave it good bump absorption off-road, while it could cruise comfortably on the highway. Cycle World rated it the best dual-purpose bike of its day, though the drum brakes and starting technique drew criticism.
