Dual-Sport Motorcycles
1981Honda XL 500 S
19 fields on record
The 1981 Honda XL 500 S is a dual-sport for riders who want one bike for roads and dirt tracks. Its 497cc air-cooled single makes 27 hp, with a 142 kg wet weight, a 10.5-litre tank and a 135 km/h top speed.
- Capacity
- 497.0 ccm
- Engine
- Single
- Gearbox
- 5-speed
- Wet weight
- 142.0 kg
- Seat height
- Not on record
Know it? Add it → - Power
- 27.0 HP (19.9 kW) @ 5500 RPM
How it rides
Editorial estimate from the spec sheet - not lab tested- Best for
- Built primarily as a dual-sport allrounder for mixed on- and off-road exploration rather than high-speed road use.
- Built for
- A simple, air-cooled single with modest power that favors torquey, unhurried riding and mechanical honesty over refinement.
- Not ideal for
- Not a good fit for riders wanting sustained highway speed, passenger comfort, or modern sport-touring amenities.
Scores are derived from the spec sheet using the same model across every bike, so they compare like for like.
Engine
- Capacity
- 497.0 ccm
- Power
- 27.0 HP (19.9 kW) @ 5500 RPM
- Engine type
- Single
- Power/weight ratio
- 0.1901 HP/kg (wet)
- Bore x stroke
- 89.0 x 80.0 mm
- Compression
- 8.6:1
- Cooling system
- Air
- Valves per cylinder
- 4
- Torque
- Not on record - add it
Transmission
- Gearbox
- 5-speed
- Transmission type
- Manual
- Final drive
- Chain
Performance
- Top speed
- 135.0 km/h (83.9 mph)
Dimensions & weight
Brakes & wheels
- Front brakes
- Expanding brake
- Rear brakes
- Expanding brake
- Front tyre
- 3.00-23
- Rear tyre
- 4.60-18
Compiled from manufacturer documentation and user contributions, corrected on an ongoing basis. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
What changed, year to year
Differences highlighted| Specification | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 497 cc | 497 cc | 497 cc |
| Fuel capacity | 10.5 L | 10.5 L | 10.5 L |
Illustrative - generated automatically by diffing the year records already on file, not a manufacturer-published changelog.
Rider Reviews
Common questions
What is the engine size of the Honda XL 500 S?
The 1981 Honda XL 500 S has a Capacity of 497.0 ccm (30.33 cubic inches).
What engine power does the Honda XL 500 S have?
The 1981 Honda XL 500 S has a Power of 27.0 HP (19.9 kW) @ 5500 RPM.
How many gears does the Honda XL 500 S have?
The 1981 Honda XL 500 S has a Gearbox of 5-speed.
How much does the Honda XL 500 S weigh?
The 1981 Honda XL 500 S has a Wet weight of 142.0 kg (313.1 pounds).
Shop this bike
Affiliate linksWe may earn a commission from qualifying eBay or Amazon purchases made through these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Please log in or register if you'd like to leave a comment.
Own one? Add it to My Garage and write an owner review with an Owner badge.