FT 500

1983 Honda FT 500 Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

At the heart of the 1983 Honda FT 500 naked motorcycle, Honda features a 497 cc (30.3 cu in) air-cooled single cylinder, four-stroke configuration. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 27 HP (19.7 kW) at 5,500 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through a 5-speed gearbox and chain 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 FT 500 measures 175 kg (386 lbs) wet (curb), translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.15 HP/kg (6.48 kg per horsepower). The 13.5-liter (3.6 US gal) fuel tank supports practical everyday commuting and weekend road stints, while factory top speed is listed at 147 km/h (91 mph).

Within MotoLibrary's Honda archive, this model family spans 2 indexed model years from 1982 to 1983, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.