XL 500 R

1984 Honda XL 500 R Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

Built around Honda's enduro - offroad motorcycle platform, the 1984 Honda XL 500 R relies on a 497 cc (30.3 cu in) air-cooled single cylinder, four-stroke powerplant. 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 XL 500 R measures 152 kg (335 lbs) wet (curb), translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.18 HP/kg (5.63 kg per horsepower). The 10.5-liter (2.8 US gal) fuel tank supports practical everyday commuting and weekend road stints, while factory top speed is listed at 134 km/h (83 mph).

Within MotoLibrary's Honda archive, this model family spans 3 indexed model years from 1982 to 1984, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.