Honda XL 500 R vs KTM 500 MX (1990)
Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the Honda XL 500 Rstacks up against the KTM 500 MX. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Spec comparison
| Spec | Honda XL 500 R | KTM 500 MX |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 1984 | 1990 |
| Price | — | — |
| Engine | 497 cc | 498 cc |
| Horsepower | 27 hp | 65 hp |
| Torque | — | 80 Nm |
| Weight | — | 103 kg |
| Seat height | — | 38 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 2.8 L | 3.2 L |
| Fuel type | petrol | petrol |
| Transmission | 5-speed | — |
| Front brakes | Single disc | Single disc |
| Rear brakes | Expanding brake | Single disc |
| Tires | 3.00-21 / 4.60-17 | — |
Honda XL 500 R vs KTM 500 MX — which should you buy?
Picking between the Honda XL 500 R and the KTM 500 MX usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the Honda XL 500 R brings 27 hp, while the KTM 500 MX counters with 65 hp at 103 kg.
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: