Honda Motosport XL500S & XL500R Motorcycles

1979 XL500S’79

• It descended from a long line of Elsinores, although it was never called by that name
• One color was available: Tahitian Red
• The fuel tank and side cover stripes were black, red, and yellow
• The control levers and kickstarter arm were silver (next year they would be black)
• The speedometer had a 100 mph (160 kph) limit
• The front wheel was 23″ while the back was 18″
• The exhaust was a 2-into-1 system
• The engine was a 498cc OHC 4-valve single cylinder with one carburetor
• The transmission was a 5-speed
• The serial number began PD01-5000054.

1980 XL500S’80

• It came in Helios Red
• The gas tank and side cover stripes were red, orange, and white
• The control levers and kickstarter arm were black
• The bottom triple clamp was also black
• The speedometer had a 85 mph (135 kph) limit
• The front wheel was 23″ while the back was 18″
• The exhaust was a 2-into-1 system
• The engine was a 498cc OHC 4-valve single cylinder with one carburetor
• The transmission was a 5-speed
• The serial number began PD01-5100001.

1981 XL500S’81

• It came in Monza Red with Black
• The gas tank and side covers were 2-tone red and black
• The “XL500S” side cover graphic was red and white
• The speedometer and instrument light pod were separate
• The front fender was longer
• The box-section swingarm was silver painted steel
• A manual compression release lever was added
• The control levers and kickstarter arm were black
• The bottom triple clamp was also black
• The speedometer had a 85 mph (135 kph) limit
• The front wheel was 23″ while the back was 18″
• The exhaust was a 2-into-1 system
• The engine was a 498cc OHC 4-valve single cylinder with one carburetor
• The transmission was a 5-speed
• The serial number began JH2PD010*BM200001.

1982 XL500R’82

• It came in Monza Red
• The gas tank, side covers, fenders, and frame were red
• The seat, fork boots, number plate panels, and engine were black
• The bike had a Pro-Link suspension, 12-volt electrical system, and a 2-into-1 exhaust system
• The front wheel was 21″ while the rear was 17″
• It also featured double leading shoe front brake
• The engine was a 498cc OHC 4-valve single cylinder linked to a 5-speed transmission
• The serial number began JH2PD020*CM000021.