SR 500

1997 Yamaha SR 500 Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

Positioned in Yamaha's classic motorcycle lineup, the 1997 Yamaha SR 500 pairs a 499 cc (30.5 cu in) air-cooled single cylinder, four-stroke architecture with road-focused gearing. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 24 HP (17.5 kW) at 6,000 rpm while maximum torque reaches 37 Nm (27.3 lb-ft) at 3,500 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through a 5-speed gearbox and chain final drive. With a specific output of 48.1 HP per liter and a 2,500 rpm working window between peak torque (3,500 rpm) and peak power (6,000 rpm), the engine character is prioritizing low-RPM tractability, mechanical longevity and relaxed throttle response over peak redline numbers.

On the scales, the SR 500 measures 153 kg (337 lbs) dry, translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.16 HP/kg (6.38 kg per horsepower). Rider ergonomics and chassis geometry center around a 810 mm (31.9 in) seat height — offering a neutral standover height that accommodates most average-inseam riders without sacrificing cornering clearance.

Within MotoLibrary's Yamaha archive, this model family spans 14 indexed model years from 1978 to 1999, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.