1982 Honda CX500 Turbo

Lot details
Registration No: Un-Reg
Frame No: JH2PC0301CM002376
Engine No: P003E2004186

Introduced during 1981 the Honda CX500 Turbo was one of four machines equipped with a turbine to emerge from Japan. The application of a turbocharger to a motorcycle promised significant power gains without an increase in capacity. When tested against a CB900 the new machine matched the larger capacity motorcycle turning in a maximum speed of 130 mph.
The CX500 Turbo differed considerably from its more mundane normally aspirated sister. A wind tunnel developed fairing and a revised tank and seat unit combined with gold six spoke Comstar wheels to give the machine a futuristic appearance. The chassis utilised the Honda monoshock "Pro-Link" system and had a longer wheelbase when compared to the standard machine. Wider section tyres of different diameters were employed. The turbo charger, which had a 50mm turbine was claimed to be the smallest unit in the world, boosted the models power to 80 bhp, but also increased fuel consumption alarmingly. Despite the technically innovative specification the CX500 Turbo proved to be a poor seller, largely due to the models high cost and the significant turbo lag that afflicted the machine, riders opting for larger displacement machines of similar performance that cost less instead.
The low volume of CX500 Turbo sales has resulted in the machine being very rare today and sought after. This one owner from new example is offered in very good original condition.