GL 500 Silver Wing

1983 Honda GL 500 Silver Wing Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

Built around Honda's naked motorcycle platform, the 1983 Honda GL 500 Silver Wing features a 497 cc (30.3 cu in) liquid-cooled v2, four-stroke configuration. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 50 HP (36.5 kW) at 9,000 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through a 5-speed gearbox and shaft drive (cardan) final drive. With a specific output of 100.6 HP per liter, the engine character is reflecting a performance-oriented street tune that balances strong mid-range pull with an energetic top-end rush.

On the scales, the GL 500 Silver Wing measures 235 kg (518 lbs) wet (curb), translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.21 HP/kg (4.7 kg per horsepower). The 20-liter (5.3 US gal) fuel tank supports practical everyday commuting and weekend road stints, while factory top speed is listed at 153 km/h (95 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.