Suzuki DR500S (1980-81)

The Suzuki DR500S was a motorcycle produced between 1980 and 1981, equipped with a four-stroke, single-cylinder, SOHC, 4-valve, TSCC engine that had a displacement of 498 cc / 30.4 cu in, delivering a power of 26 kW / 36 hp @ 6500 rpm and a torque of 42 Nm / 4.3 kgf-m / 31 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm. The bike was air-cooled and had wet-sump lubrication with a Mikuni 35SS slingshot induction and PEI pointless ignition system. The engine was connected to a wet, multi-plate clutch and a five-speed constant mesh transmission with a chain, O-ring final drive, and gear ratios of 1st 2.42 / 2nd 1.63 / 3rd 1.63 / 4th 1.00 / 5th 0.83:1. The motorcycle had a 1465 mm / 57.7″ wheelbase, 870 mm / 34.3″ seat height, and 270 mm / 10.6″ ground clearance. The front suspension incorporated telescopic Showa 36mm, oil-damped, while the rear suspension utilized a swinging arm with an adjustable spring preload, gas/oil damped, and adjustable compression damping. It was equipped with drum brakes on the front and rear wheels, measuring 150 mm in diameter, and the bike had a fuel capacity of 9 litres / 2.4 US gal / 2.0 Imp gal, with a top speed of 136 km/h / 84.5 mph. The dry weight of the motorcycle was 128 kg / 282 lbs, and the wet weight was 148 kg / 326 lbs. The Suzuki DR500S was a reliable, versatile motorcycle that could handle multiple types of terrains and situations, and was well-liked by many riders in its time.

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Technical specifications:

Make Model: Suzuki DR 500S

Year: 1980-81

Engine: Four stroke, single cylinder, SOHC, 4 valves, TSCC

Capacity: 498 cc / 30.4 cu in

Bore x Stroke: 88 x 82 mm

Compression Ratio: 8.9:1

Cooling System: Air cooled

Lubrication System: Wet sump

Induction: Mikuni 35SS, slingshot

Ignition: PEI pointless

Starting: Kick

Max Power: 26 kW / 36 hp @ 6500 rpm

Max Torque: 42 Nm / 4.3 kgf-m / 31 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm

Clutch: Wet, multi-plate

Transmission: 5 Speed constant mesh

Final Drive: Chain, O-ring

Gear Ratios: 1st 2.42 / 2nd 1.63 / 3rd 1.63 / 4th 1.00 / 5th 0.83:1

Primary Drive Ratio: 2.39:1

Final Drive Ratio: 3.36:1

Front Suspension: Telescopic Showa 36mm, oil damped

Front Wheel Travel: 230 mm / 9.1″

Rear Suspension: Swinging arm , adjustable spring preload, gas/oil damped, adjustable compression damping

Rear Wheel Travel: 220 mm / 8.7″

Front Brakes: Drum, 150 mm, expanding

Rear Brakes: Drum, 150 mm, expanding

Front Tyre: 3.00-21

Rear Tyre: 4.60-18

Dry Weight: 128 kg / 282 lbs

Wet-Weight: 148 kg / 326 lbs

Wheelbase: 1465 mm / 57.7″

Seat Height: 870 mm / 34.3″

Ground Clearance: 270 mm / 10.6″

Fuel Capacity: 9 Litres / 2.4 US gal / 2.0 Imp gal

Fuel Reserve: 2 Litres / 2.1 US qt / 1.8 Imp qt

Top Speed: 136 km/h / 84.5 mph