Honda GB500
Encyclopedia
The Honda GB500 'Tourist Trophy' was a niche motorcycle
introduced in the late 1980s. Based on the Honda XBR500
and first marketed in Japan as a 400, it was exported to the US, Europe and Australia as a 500. It was a moderate success in Japan, but in the US sales were hindered by the American preference for large engines.
The XBR500/GB500 engine was based on the motor from the Honda XR600, a dry-sump
four-stroke dirt bike
. The modern four-valve RVFC single was wrapped in a classic-look tubular frame with wire wheels, clip-ons, solo seat, seat hump, and a period-style pin-striped gas tank. The look was convincingly authentic, and while not copying any particular model, the GB500 recalled the classic TT single-cylinder racing bikes (such as the Manx Norton, the BSA Gold Star
and the AJS 7R
) that dominated the TT until the 1960s. The TT name comes from the Tourist Trophy motorcycle races on a 37-mile road circuit in the Isle of Man
.
In the USA, the GB500 was considered too small and too slow, and sales were disappointing. GB500s were imported for only two years, 1989 and 1990.
Both the 400 cc and 500 cc versions were imported and sold by Honda New Zealand, and many are still on the road. When originally released in NZ, the GB came in three basic models:
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
introduced in the late 1980s. Based on the Honda XBR500
Honda XBR500
thumb|300px|Honda XBR 500 thumb|300px|Honda XBR 500 The Honda XBR 500 is a 500cc Japanese sports single motorcycle launched by Honda in 1985 in response to the Yamaha SR500. It is powered by a single-cylinder four-valve engine with the valves arranged radially...
and first marketed in Japan as a 400, it was exported to the US, Europe and Australia as a 500. It was a moderate success in Japan, but in the US sales were hindered by the American preference for large engines.
The XBR500/GB500 engine was based on the motor from the Honda XR600, a dry-sump
Dry sump
A dry sump is a lubricating motor oil management method for four-stroke and large two-stroke piston internal combustion engines that uses external pumps and a secondary external reservoir for oil, as compared to a conventional wet sump system....
four-stroke dirt bike
Off Road
Off Road may refer to:*Super Off Road, 1989 arcade game released by Leland Corporation*Off Road Challenge, 1998 console game released by Nintendo*Ford Racing: Off Road, 2008 video game published by Empire Interactive...
. The modern four-valve RVFC single was wrapped in a classic-look tubular frame with wire wheels, clip-ons, solo seat, seat hump, and a period-style pin-striped gas tank. The look was convincingly authentic, and while not copying any particular model, the GB500 recalled the classic TT single-cylinder racing bikes (such as the Manx Norton, the BSA Gold Star
BSA Gold Star
The Gold Star is a motorcycle made by BSA from 1938–1963. They were 350 cc and 500 cc single-cylinder four-stroke production motorcycle known for being among the fastest bikes of the 1950s...
and the AJS 7R
AJS 7R
The AJS 7R was a 350 cc racing motorcycle built from 1948 to 1963 by Associated Motor Cycles, also known as the ‘Boy Racer’, first won victories for the factory, and then went on to win races for privateers when made generally available from 1954....
) that dominated the TT until the 1960s. The TT name comes from the Tourist Trophy motorcycle races on a 37-mile road circuit in the Isle of Man
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
.
In the USA, the GB500 was considered too small and too slow, and sales were disappointing. GB500s were imported for only two years, 1989 and 1990.
Both the 400 cc and 500 cc versions were imported and sold by Honda New Zealand, and many are still on the road. When originally released in NZ, the GB came in three basic models:
- GB400TT - dual seat,
- GB400TT - Mk2 with half-fairing, single seat with plastic cowling showing Mk2 logo, and different footpeg outriggers to suit solo,
- GB500TT - no fairing, dual seat, single with alt. pegs etc. as an option.