The Honda GB500 'Tourist Trophy' was a niche motorcycle introduced in the late 1980s. Based on the Honda XBR500 and first marketed in Japan as a 400, it was exported to the US, Europe and Australia as a 500. It was a moderate success in Japan, but in the US sales were hindered by the American preference for large engines.
The XBR500/GB500 engine was based on the motor from the Honda XL600, a dry-sump four-stroke dirt bike. The modern four-valve RVFC single was wrapped in a classic-look tubular frame with wire wheels, clip-ons, solo seat, seat hump, and a period-style pin-striped gas tank. The look was convincingly authentic, and while not copying any particular model, the GB500 recalled the classic TT single-cylinder racing bikes (such as the Manx Norton, the BSA Gold Star and the AJS 7R) that dominated the TT until the 1960s. The TT name comes from the Tourist Trophy motorcycle races on a 37-mile road circuit in the Isle of Man.
In the USA, the GB500 was considered too small and too slow, and sales were disappointing. GB500s were imported for only two years, 1989 and 1990.
Both the 400 cc and 500 cc versions were imported and sold by Honda New Zealand, and many are still on the road. When originally released in NZ, the GB came in three basic models:
- GB400TT - dual seat,
- GB400TT - Mk2 with half-fairing, single seat with plastic cowling showing Mk2 logo, and different footpeg outriggers to suit solo,
- GB500TT - no fairing, dual seat, single with alt. pegs etc. as an option.