| Year | 1978 |
| Bore x Stroke | 78 x 52 mm |
| Capacity | 497 cc / 30.3 cu-in |
| Clutch | Wet, multi-plate, 5-speed |
| Compression Ratio | 10.0:1 |
| Consumption Average | 43 mpg |
| Dry Weight | 205 kg / 452 lbs |
| Engine | Four stroke, longitudinal 800 V-twin cylinder, camshaft nestles at the base of the V between the cylinders. ,OHV, 4 valves per cylinder operated by pushrods |
| Final Drive | Shaft |
| Front Brakes | 2x 275mm discs |
| Front Suspension | 33mm Showa telehydraulic fork |
| Front Tyre | 3.25-19 |
| Front Wheel Travel | 132 mm / 5.1 in |
| Fuel Capacity | 17 Litres / 4.4 US gal |
| Ignition | CDI |
| Induction | 2x 34mm Keihin carburetors |
| Max Power | 50 hp / 37.2 kW @ 9000 rpm |
| Max Torque | 46 Nm / 33.9 lb-ft @ 7000 rpm |
| Rear Brakes | 160mm Drum |
| Rear Suspension | Swinging arm fork with adjustable shocks absorbers |
| Rear Tyre | 3.75-18 |
| Rear Wheel Travel | 84 mm / 3.3 in |
| Road Test | CX500 vs Harley FXS 80 Lowrider |
| Standing ¼ Mile | 14.0 sec / 93 mph |
| Starting | Electric |
| Top Speed | 180 km/h / 112 mph |
| Transmission | 5 Speed |
