Yamaha XT 500 (1980)

The Yamaha XT 500 from 1980 is a powerful motorcycle with a four-stroke, single cylinder, SOHC, 2-valve engine and a capacity of 499cc. It has a compression ratio of 9.0:1 and is cooled by air. The bike kicks and has a maximum power output of 32 horsepower at 6500 rpm and a maximum torque of 4.0 kgf-m at 5500 rpm. The bike has a wet multiplate clutch, a 5-speed transmission, and a chain final drive. The half-duplex cradle frame supports a front suspension with a leading axle coil spring fork and a rear suspension with a swing arm with adjustable preload. The bike’s front brakes have a single 160mm drum, while the rear has a single 150mm drum. The 3.00-21 front tire and 4.00-18 rear tire offer stability on the road. The Yamaha XT 500 has a length of 2160 mm, a width of 875 mm, and a height of 1165 mm, with a wheelbase of 1475 mm and a dry weight of 140 kg. The bike can hold up to 8.8 liters of fuel and has an average consumption rate of 59 mpg. In a 15.0-second standing quarter-mile test, the bike reached a speed of 87.1 mph, with a top speed of 100.8 mph. The Yamaha XT 500 was road-tested by various magazines, including Bike Magazine in 1977, Bike Magazine Group Test in 1978, Motorcycling Monthly in 1976, and Moto Journal in 1982.

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Technical specifications:

Make Model: Yamaha XT 500

Year: 1980

Engine: Four stroke, single cylinder, SOHC, 2 valve

Capacity: 499 cc / 30.5 cuin

Bore x Stroke: 87 84 mm

Cooling System: Air cooled

Compression Ratio: 9.0:1

Induction: 32mm Mikuni VM32SS carburetor

Ignition: Magneto, CB/coil

Starting: Kick

Max Power: 32 hp / 23.5 kW @ 6500 rpm

Max Torque: 4.0 kgf-m / 39.2 Nm @ 5500 rpm

Clutch: Wet multiplate

Transmission: 5 Speed

Final Drive: Chain

Frame: Half-duplex cradle

Front Suspension: Leading axle coil spring fork

Front Wheel Travel: 195 mm / 7.6 in

Rear Suspension: Swing arm adjustable preload

Rear Wheel Travel: 160 mm / 6.2 in

Front Brakes: Single 160mm drum

Rear Brakes: Single 150mm drum

Front Tyre: 3.00-21

Rear Tyre: 4.00-18

Dimensions: Length 2160 mm / 85.0 in Width 875 mm / 34.4 in Height 1165 mm / 45.8 in

Wheelbase: 1475 mm / 58.0 in

Seat Height: 840 mm / 33.0 in

Ground Clearance: 215 mm / 8.4 in

Dry Weight: 140 kg / 308.6 lbs

Fuel Capacity: 8.8 Litres / 2.3 US gal

Consumption Average: 59 mpg

Standing 1/4 Mile: 15.0 sec / 87.1 mph

Top Speed: 100.8 mph

Road Test: Bike magazine 1977 Bike magazine Group Test 1978 Motorcycling Monthly 1976 Moto Journal 1982