Honda NS500

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. After a relatively short lifespan the bike was replaced by the more successful two-stroke, V4 engine powered NSR500.

Honda NS500
ManufacturerHonda Racing Corporation
Production1982-1983
PredecessorHonda NR500
SuccessorHonda NSR500
Engine500 cc two-stroke V3

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. p. 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
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