| MODEL | YAMAHA XT 500 1979 |
| Year | 1979 |
| Engine Type | Four stroke, single cylinder, SOHC, 2 valve |
| Displacement / Capacity | 499 cc / 30.5 cu in |
| Bore X Stroke | 87 x 84 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.0:1 |
| Cooling System | Air cooled |
| Max Power | 23.5 kW / 32 hp @ 6500 rpm |
| Max Torque | 39.2 Nm / 4.0 kgf-m @ 5500 rpm |
| Ignition | Magneto, CB/coil |
| Induction | 32 mm Mikuni VM32SS carburetor |
| Start System | Kick |
| TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
| Lubrication | — |
| Gear Box | 5 speed |
| Clutch | Wet multiplate |
| Final Drive | Chain |
| CHASSIS SPECS | |
| Frame | Half-duplex cradle |
| Front Suspension | Leading axle coil spring fork, 195 mm / 7.6 in travel |
| Rear Suspension | Swing arm, adjustable preload, 160 mm / 6.2 in travel |
| Front Brakes | Single 160 mm drum |
| Rear Brakes | Single 150 mm drum |
| DIMENSION SPECS | |
| Overall Length | 2160 mm / 85.0 in |
| Overall Width | 875 mm / 34.4 in |
| Overall Height | 1165 mm / 45.8 in |
| Seat Height | 840 mm / 33.0 in |
| Wheelbase | 1475 mm / 58.0 in |
| Ground Clearance | 215 mm / 8.4 in |
| Dry Weight | 140 kg / 308.6 lbs |
| Wet Weight | — |
| WHEEL SPECS | |
| Front Tyre | 3.00-21 |
| Rear Tyre | 4.00-18 |
| FUEL SYSTEM | |
| Fuel Capacity | 8.8 Litres / 2.3 US gal |
| Fuel Consumption | 59 mpg |
| Top Speed | 100.8 mph |
In 1979 an XT500 ridden by Cyril Neveu won the motorcycle class of the first Paris-Dakar Rally, cementing the model's reputation. The bike itself kept the 1978 specification with long-travel rear suspension. It was still the reference big single for off-road riders.
