CX 500 (reduced effect)

1981 Honda CX 500 (reduced effect) Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

At the heart of the 1981 Honda CX 500 (reduced effect) custom - cruiser motorcycle, Honda features a 497 cc (30.3 cu in) liquid-cooled v2, four-stroke configuration. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 27 HP (19.7 kW) at 6,500 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through a 5-speed gearbox and shaft drive (cardan) final drive. With a specific output of 54.3 HP per liter, the engine character is prioritizing low-RPM tractability, mechanical longevity and relaxed throttle response over peak redline numbers.

On the scales, the CX 500 (reduced effect) measures 221 kg (487 lbs) wet (curb), translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.12 HP/kg (8.19 kg per horsepower). The 17-liter (4.5 US gal) fuel tank supports practical everyday commuting and weekend road stints, while factory top speed is listed at 148 km/h (92 mph).

Within MotoLibrary's Honda archive, this model family spans 5 indexed model years from 1978 to 1982, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.