Honda NS500

Honda NS500

Manufacturer	Honda Racing Corporation
Production	1982–1983
Predecessor	Honda NR500
Successor	Honda NSR500
Class	500 cc
Engine	499 cc (30.5 cu in) two-stroke 112° V3
Bore / stroke	62.6 mm × 54 mm (2.46 in × 2.13 in)
Power	123 hp (92 kW) @ 11,000 rpm
Torque	78 N⋅m (58 lbf⋅ft) @ 10,500 rpm
Wheelbase	1,380 mm (54 in)
Weight	108 kg (238 lb) (dry)

The Honda NS500 is a 500cc Grand Prix racing motorcycle of the early 1980s, powered by a two-stroke V3 engine. Created as a replacement for the innovative but unsuccessful four-stroke NR500, the bike went against Honda's preference for four-stroke machines but proved very effective and quickly won the 1983 500cc World Championship with Freddie Spencer on board. ^[1] Spencer was able to use the lower weight and superior handling of the NS500 to achieve higher cornering speeds, and getting on the power earlier leaving corners. ^[2] Ron Haslam also won the 1983 Macau Grand Prix on an NS. After a relatively short lifespan the bike was replaced by the more successful two-stroke, V4 engine powered NSR500.

RS500 customer version

In 1983, Honda introduced a production version of the NS500 called the RS500 for privateer racers. ^[3] These were very similar to the NS500 machines used by the factory racing team but, lacked the special exhaust system. ^[3]

References

1. Young, Roger (1997). "American MotorcyclistVol. 51, No. 8". American Motorcyclist: The Monthly Journal of the American Motorcyclist Association. American Motorcyclist: 34. ISSN   0277-9358.
2. Walker, Mick (2002). Mick Walker's Japanese Grand Prix Racing Motorcycles. United Kingdom: Redline Books. p. 220. ISBN   9780953131181.
3. Clifford, Peter (1983), Motocourse 1983-1984, Hazleton Publishing Ltd, ISBN   0-905138-26-0