GPgarage Moto builds a trio of four-stroke Honda motocrossers… Introduced in 1979, the Honda XL500 would become one of the most successful dual-purpose bikes of the era, combining a 32-hp version of the XR500 engine […]
Tag: Honda XL500
Honda XL500S Flat Tracker
In 1979, Honda released the XL500S, a single-cylinder dual-purpose machine developed to compete with the Yamaha XT500, winner of the first two runnings of the Paris Dakar Rally. The bike had important improvements over the […]
Vulture Moto’s Vintage 500 Series
A pair of 500 thumpers from Germany’s Vulture Moto! The 500cc “big single” remains one of the best, most versatile all-around engine configurations in motorcycling history, from the British 500 singles of yesteryear to the […]
Baja Commander: Honda XL500R Baja
GPgarage Moto builds a Baja restomod! The XL500R was Honda’s 500cc dual-sport in the early 1980s, a mono-shock (Pro-Link) evolution of the twin-shock XL500S, featuring a 32-hp SOHC engine with counterbalancers, long-travel suspension, and a […]
Street Sweet, Dirt Worthy: Honda XL500 by Loose Screw
“Street sweet. Dirt worthy. Good time transportation…” That’s how Honda described their lineup of XL dual-purpose motorcycles in their big 1979 magazine advertisement. The ’79 Honda XL500S was the “New King Single” of the bunch, […]
Honda XL500 Scrambler by Bang Moto
How much fun does this look? We are big fans of Bang Moto of Salt Lake City, who helped Scott Haslam build the kick-ass 1982 Honda XR500R tracker we previously featured. Bang Moto built this […]
