Gilera 500 Dakota vs Honda XL 500 R (1988)
Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the Gilera 500 Dakotastacks up against the Honda XL 500 R. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Spec comparison
| Spec | Gilera 500 Dakota | Honda XL 500 R |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 1988 | 1984 |
| Price | — | — |
| Engine | 492 cc | 497 cc |
| Horsepower | 44 hp | 27 hp |
| Fuel capacity | 5.8 L | 2.8 L |
| Fuel type | petrol | petrol |
| Transmission | 5-speed | 5-speed |
| Front brakes | Single disc | Single disc |
| Rear brakes | Expanding brake | Expanding brake |
| Tires | 90190-21 / 4.60-17/62 | 3.00-21 / 4.60-17 |
Gilera 500 Dakota vs Honda XL 500 R — which should you buy?
Picking between the Gilera 500 Dakota and the Honda XL 500 R usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the Gilera 500 Dakota brings 44 hp, while the Honda XL 500 R counters with 27 hp.
Our spec tables above highlight the winning number on each line. For the full rider-focused reviews including real-world fuel economy, service costs and available colors, click into either bike: