Norton 490 CS 1 vs Honda VT 500 E (1987)
Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the Norton 490 CS 1stacks up against the Honda VT 500 E. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Spec comparison
| Spec | Norton 490 CS 1 | Honda VT 500 E |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 1939 | 1987 |
| Price | — | — |
| Engine | 490 cc | 491 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 50 hp |
| Fuel capacity | — | 4.5 L |
| Fuel type | petrol | petrol |
| Transmission | — | 6-speed |
| Front brakes | Expanding brake (drum brake) | Single disc |
| Rear brakes | Expanding brake (drum brake) | Expanding brake |
| Tires | — | 100/90-18 / 120/80-18 |
Norton 490 CS 1 vs Honda VT 500 E — which should you buy?
Picking between the Norton 490 CS 1 and the Honda VT 500 E usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the Norton 490 CS 1 brings its published horsepower, while the Honda VT 500 E counters with 50 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: