Honda GL500 Silverwing Interstate Review

Good Points
Good looks, Versatile, dependable, surprising performance for a 500cc motor.

Dirt roads, rough roads, twisty roads all handled well. (even jeep roads). Good first gear ratio for slow going when necessary. Good ground clearance.

Cruises all day at 75 mph, with enough power to reach 105 mph.

Inexpensive to purchase, maintain, and operate. 50 mpg

Exhaust sounds sweet even with stock mufflers.

Bad Points
Brakes could stand to be upgraded. Somewhat top heavy at low (walking) speeds. Needs a "sixth" gear (~6000rpm@65mph)

General Comments
This Honda GL500 Silverwing Interstate bike is like Jekyl and Hyde!
Seems slightly underpowered initially, but when you crank her up above 6000 rpm she really comes to life. Low end-midrange torque is good though. I shift around 8800 rpm to utilize the full power when needed. Otherwise any place on the tachometer works fine for casual driving

A comfortable full featured tourer. You can surprise many larger cruiser bikes with the high rpm performance, but you need to keep her boiling. Never has stranded me or caused problems of any kind in 3 years of varied use. I still love it!