1979 XR500'79
1979 XR500
- It came in Tahitian Red
- The "HONDA" tank decal was red
- The top of the tank, side cover panels, and headlight cowl were black
- The "XR500" side cover graphic was red and white
- The front wheel was 23" while the rear was 18"
- The engine was a 498cc OHC 4-valve single cylinder with two head pipes
- The transmission was a 5-speed
- The serial number began PE01-5000001
1980 XR500'80
1980 XR500
- It came in Tahitian Red
- The gas tank had a wing decal
- The control levers and kickstarter arm were black
- This year it had a smaller muffler
- The front wheel was 23" while the rear was 18"
- The engine was a 498cc OHC 4-valve single cylinder with two head pipes
- The transmission was a 5-speed
- The serial number began PE01-5100001
1981 XR500'81
1981 XR500
- It came in Tahitian Red
- The number plate panels were black
- The "XR"side cover decal was black
- The engine color was solid black
- The rear suspension had a Pro-Link
- The gas tank was plastic
- The front wheel was 21" while the rear was 17"
- The engine had reed valve induction
- The engine was a 498cc OHC 4-valve single cylinder with two head pipes
- The transmission was a 5-speed
- The serial number began JH2PE010*BM200013
1982 XR500'82
1982 XR500
- It came in Tahitian Red
- The number plate panels were white
- The "XR" side cover decal was white
- The engine color was black with polished cylinder head fins
- The rear suspension had a Pro-Link
- The gas tank was plastic
- The front wheel was 21" while the rear was 17"
- The engine had reed valve induction
- The engine was a 498cc OHC 4-valve single cylinder with two head pipes
- The transmission was a 5-speed
- The serial number began JH2PE010*CM300003
1983 XR500'83
1983 XR500
- It came in Flash Red
- The number plate panels were yellow
- The seat and tool bag were blue
- The fork boots were black
- the "500R" swingarm decal was also black
- The front brakes were hydraulic disc
- The rear suspension had a Pro-Link
- The gas tank was plastic
- The engine was a 498cc OHC RFVC dry sump single cylinder fueled by two carburetors and had two head pipes
- The transmission was a 5-speed
- The serial number began JH2PE030*DM000022
1984 XR500'84
1984 XR500
1984 XR500
- It came in Flash Red
- It had plastic handguards
- The "500R" swingarm decal was red and white
- The front brakes were hydraulic disc
- The rear suspension had a Pro-Link
- The gas tank was plastic
- The engine was a 498cc OHC RFVC dry sump single cylinder fueled by two carburetors and had two head pipes
- The transmission was a 5-speed
- Engine: RFVC radial valve, 498cc dual-carburetor dry sump
- Suspension: Pro-LinkTM rear suspension
- Brake: Disc front brake
- Wheelbase: 1425mm (56.1 in.)
- Dry weight: 121 kg (266.7 lb)
- Seat height: 950mm (37.4 in.)
- Front wheel travel: 280mm (11 in.)
- Rear wheel travel: 280mm (11 in.)
- The serial number began JH2PE030*EM100001