VT 500 E

1986 Honda VT 500 E Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

Engineered by Honda for the sport motorcycle segment, the 1986 Honda VT 500 E features a 491 cc (30 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 while maximum torque reaches 42 Nm (31 lb-ft) at 7,000 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through a 6-speed gearbox and shaft drive (cardan) final drive. With a specific output of 101.8 HP per liter and a 2,000 rpm working window between peak torque (7,000 rpm) and peak power (9,000 rpm), 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 VT 500 E measures 204 kg (450 lbs) wet (curb), translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.25 HP/kg (4.08 kg per horsepower). The 17-liter (4.5 US gal) fuel tank paired with a rated consumption of 4.79 L/100 km provides an estimated theoretical range of roughly 355 km (221 miles) between fill-ups, while factory top speed is listed at 187 km/h (116 mph).

Within MotoLibrary's Honda archive, this model family spans 5 indexed model years from 1983 to 1987, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.