| MODEL | HONDA XR 500RE 1983 |
| Year | 1983 |
| Engine Type | Four stroke, single cylinder, SOHC, 4 valve RFVC (Radial Four Valve Combustion chamber) |
| Displacement / Capacity | 497 cc / 30.3 cu in |
| Bore X Stroke | 92 x 75 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 8.6:1 |
| Cooling System | Air cooled |
| Max Power | 30.8 kW / 42 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Max Torque | 46 Nm / 34 lb-ft @ 5500 rpm |
| Ignition | CDI |
| Induction | 2 x 28 mm piston valve Keihin carburettors |
| Start System | Kick |
| TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
| Lubrication | Dry sump |
| Gear Box | 5 Speed |
| Clutch | Wet plate |
| Final Drive | Chain |
| CHASSIS SPECS | |
| Frame | Welded tubular steel |
| Front Suspension | 43 mm telescopic Showa forks, 280 mm / 11 in travel |
| Rear Suspension | Pro-Link Showa damper, adjustable spring preload and rebound damping, 280 mm / 11 in travel |
| Front Brakes | Single disc, 2 piston caliper |
| Rear Brakes | 130 mm drum |
| DIMENSION SPECS | |
| Overall Length | 2135 mm |
| Overall Width | 860 mm / 33.8 in |
| Overall Height | 1240 mm / 48.8 in |
| Seat Height | 950 mm / 37.4 in |
| Wheelbase | 1425 mm / 56.1 in |
| Ground Clearance | 338 mm / 13.3 in |
| Dry Weight | 121 kg / 266.7 lbs |
| Wet Weight | — |
| WHEEL SPECS | |
| Front Tyre | 3.00-21 |
| Rear Tyre | 5.10-17 |
| FUEL SYSTEM | |
| Fuel Capacity | 12 Litres / 3.1 US gal |
| Fuel Consumption | — |
| Top Speed | — |
1983 brought an all-new XR500R with Honda's RFVC radial four-valve head, a dry-sump engine fed by two carburettors, and a much longer-travel chassis with 43 mm forks and about 280 mm of travel at each end. A hydraulic front disc replaced the drum, and testers liked the stronger power and better handling, though the 500 was heavier than its XR350R sibling.
