Honda NS 500

Honda NS 500 (1982)

The Honda NS 500 was a racing motorcycle from the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer Honda , which was used in the motorcycle world championship from 1982 to 1986 . It was the manufacturer's first racing motorcycle in the class up to 500 cc with a two-stroke engine .

History and technology

The motorcycle world championship in the class up to 500 cc has been dominated by racing motorcycles with two-stroke engines since 1975 . The Honda NS 500, succeeding the unsuccessful four-stroke - Honda NR 500 with oval piston on. The water-cooled V-3 engine (one cylinder lying, two standing, bank angle 112 °) was evidently based on the DKW RM 350 . With a displacement of 498.6 cm³ (bore / stroke: 62.6 × 54.0 mm), the exhaust-controlled engine developed 120 hp (88 kW) at 11,000 rpm. Factory driver Freddie Spencer scored two victories in the first season ( Belgium and San Marino ). For the 1983 season , the engine's output was increased to 127.5 hp (93.8 kW). Freddie Spencer won the world championship in the 500 cm³ class with the only 113 kg motorcycle. While the 1984 season was unsuccessful for Spencer - he drove the new Honda NSR 500 with a V-4 engine - Randy Mamola finished second in the world championship with the Honda NS 500. 1985 was Wayne Gardner after all, still fourth in the World Championship; the Honda NSR 500 with V-4 engine and over 140 hp (103 kW) output couldn't be beat.

The engine of the NS 500 was also used in the Elf-3 racing machine from 1985. As a production racer, the NS 500 was available for private drivers until 1987 in a final expansion stage for 125,000 DM. Gustav Reiner became German motorcycle champion in 1987 .

Encouraged by the success of the NS 500, developed a Honda venal road version, the Honda NS 400 R .

Web links

Commons : Honda NS 500  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

• Motor of the NS 500

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Honda.com: NS 500
2. ↑ Motorcycle Catalog 1988, p. 170.