page_title: Honda XR series
section_title: XR 500 / XR 500R
hierarchical_section_title: Honda XR series / XR 500 / XR 500R
context_page_description: The Honda XR series is a range of four-stroke off-road motorcycles that were designed in Japan but assembled all over the world.
  Some of the XR series came in two versions: R and L. The R version bikes were enduro machines designed for off-road competitive riding. They were fitted with knobby off-road tires and were not always street legal. The L version models were dual-sport trailbikes, fitted with lights, indicators, horn, and street legal tyres.
context_section_description: Introduced in 1979, the twin-shock Honda XR 500 was the first "XR" model.  The engine was a four-stroke, four-valve OHC, 497 cc (30.3 cu in) Pentroof engine. The bike had a conventional 18" rear wheel but an unusual 23" front wheel which was supposed to be better for riding over potholes and ruts. The 23" size proved unpopular and did not catch on as the wheel/tyre assembly was heavy, and there was little choice of replacement 23" tyres.
  In 1981 Honda introduced 'Pro-Link’ models, with rising-rate single-shock rear suspension, a 17" rear wheel and a 21" front wheel. Unusual for a four-stroke with its typical intake and exhaust valves, the 1981 and 1982 XR-500 utilized a six-petal reed valve set-up between the carburetor and the intake valves.  This was intended to provide better low-end performance while still allowing a large carburetor to be used. The 1982 XR 500RC was very similar to the 1981 RB apart from decal and trim changes.
  The 1983 XR500R was thoroughly revised with a new dry-sump RFVC 5-speed engine which was lighter and more powerful than the older engine. Induction was by 2 carburetors, the first in use until 1/4 throttle, whereupon the second started to take effect. Power was 41hp @6000 rpm, torque was 4.7 Kg-m of  at 5500 rpm, and dry weight was 266.7lbs. The frame was entirely revised, and suspension was updated with 43mm air-adjustable forks with 11" of suspension travel both front and rear. Wheels were 21" front and  17" rear.  The fuel tank had a 12 litre capacity, the front brake was a single hydraulic disc, and the handlebars sported plastic ‘bark-buster’ hand protectors. 
  The 1984 XR500RE model was the last 500cc XR, being superseded in 1985 by the larger Honda XR 600RF.
caption: 1984 Honda XR 500RE (with hand protectors removed)
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