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Naked Motorcycles

1980Suzuki GS 500 E

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The 1980 Suzuki GS 500 E is the original GS500E, a middleweight from Suzuki's early GS range and not the later twin. Its air-cooled 486cc inline-four makes 46 hp and drives through a six-speed gearbox and chain. A 225 kg wet weight and 17-litre tank make it a dependable everyday and touring bike.

Capacity
486.0 ccm
Engine
In-line four, four-stroke
Gearbox
6-speed
Wet weight
225.0 kg
Seat height
Not on record
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Power
46.0 HP (35.0 kW) @ 9250 RPM
⇄ Compare with another bike + Add to garage All model years
Other years 1980 1981 1982 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

How it rides

Editorial estimate from the spec sheet - not lab tested
Speed 17Agility 45Comfort 58Off-road 15Touring 45Road manners 62
Off-road & trail15%
Cornering60%
City riding75%
Daily riding78%
Touring45%
Two-up40%
Track30%
Best for
It's built as an everyday commuter and learner-friendly naked bike rather than a performance or adventure machine.
Built for
Its air-cooled parallel-twin delivers mild, predictable power with an easygoing, no-drama personality.
Not ideal for
It's not the right choice for riders chasing high-speed thrills, aggressive track cornering, or serious off-road use.

Scores are derived from the spec sheet using the same model across every bike, so they compare like for like.

Full specifications

Engine
Capacity
486.0 ccm
Power
46.0 HP (35.0 kW) @ 9250 RPM
Engine type
In-line four, four-stroke
Power/weight ratio
0.2044 HP/kg (wet)
Bore x stroke
53.0 x 55.8 mm
Compression
8.5:1
Cooling system
Air
Fuel system
Carburettor
Starting
Electric
Valves per cylinder
2
Torque
Not on record - add it
Transmission
Gearbox
6-speed
Transmission type
Manual
Final drive
Chain
Performance
Top speed
148.0 km/h (92.0 mph)
Dimensions & weight
Wet weight
225.0 kg
Fuel capacity
17.00 litres
Seat height
Not on record - add it
Dry weight
Not on record - add it
Brakes & wheels
Front brakes
Dual disc
Rear brakes
Single disc
Front tyre
3.25-19
Rear tyre
3.75-18
Other
Comments
A restricted 27 PS (19.9 kW) version was also sold.

Specs last verified against published sources: .

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 19801990199419992003
Capacity 486 cc 487 cc 487 cc 487 cc 487 cc
Dry weight — 169 kg 169 kg 170 kg 173 kg
Seat height — 785 mm 785 mm 790 mm 790 mm
Fuel capacity 17 L 17 L 17 L 17 L 20 L

Illustrative - generated automatically by diffing the year records already on file, not a manufacturer-published changelog.

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Common questions

What is the engine size of the Suzuki GS 500 E?

The 1980 Suzuki GS 500 E has a Capacity of 486.0 ccm (29.66 cubic inches).

What engine power does the Suzuki GS 500 E have?

The 1980 Suzuki GS 500 E has a Power of 46.0 HP (35.0 kW) @ 9250 RPM.

How many gears does the Suzuki GS 500 E have?

The 1980 Suzuki GS 500 E has a Gearbox of 6-speed.

How much does the Suzuki GS 500 E weigh?

The 1980 Suzuki GS 500 E has a Wet weight of 225.0 kg (496.0 pounds).

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