The MT500 is powered by a 500cc Rotax single-cylinder, air-cooled 4 valve engine with a 5 speed gearbox. The MT is a direct evolution of the earlier Armstrong MT500, a British military dual sport motorcycle. The Armstrong MT500 itself was an evolution of the earlier SWM XN Tornado and it used the same 500cc Rotax engine.
The origins of the Harley-Davidson MT500 span three countries and three decades. The model started out in the early 1980s as the Italian-designed SWM XN Tornado which was powered by an Austrian-built Rotax 504cc single-cylinder engine. When SWM encountered financial difficulties, British motorcycle company Armstrong-CCM bought the rights to the design, made a small number of changes, and created the Armstrong MT500 which was sold in small numbers to the British, Canadian, and Jordanian militaries.
By the late 1980s Harley-Davidson had bought the design, added some of their own branding, and offered it to the US military as (essentially) a modern version of the classic WLA from WWII.
The specifications of the Harley-Davidson MT500 are largely the same as the two earlier bikes that it’s based on. Power is just at 32 bhp at 6,200 rpm with 28 lb ft of torque at 5,500 rpm, however the relatively low weight of 161 kgs (355 lbs) helps things along. Military vehicles are rarely designed for speed after all, they’re designed for simplicity, ruggedness, and reliability and the MT500 is all three.
- Chassis is a tubular steel frame that uses the engine as a stressed member for additional rigidity.
- Telescopic forks up front and twin shocks in the rear.
- Front and rear disc brakes
- Much of the MT500’s bodywork is made from plastic for reasons of low weight and easy maintenance – including the fuel tank, side covers, front and rear fenders, and headlight.
- This model also offers plastic side panniers and a front-mounted plastic rifle case.
- 556 miles on the odometer
*This bike is being sold as is*
The bike starts and runs but will need a complete carburetor cleaning and tuning before riding.
The drive chain is good but will need lubing and adjusting.
Rear tire has a slow leak.
Brake fluid needs to be flushed.
Brake pads are good.
All lights, gauges and horn work as they should.
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