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The 1989 Honda GB500 TT and 1971 Ducati 450 Desmo come from different worlds of motorcycling, making their comparison all the more fascinating.
The 1989 Honda GB500 TT from Japan was powered by a 498cc SOHC single producing 40hp at 7000rpm. Weighing 170.0kg (375 lbs) and with a seat height of 790mm, it was aimed at cafe racer riders.
The 1971 Ducati 450 Desmo, hailing from Italy, by contrast offered 436cc of SOHC single desmo power, delivering 35hp at 7500rpm. Tipping the scales at 153.0kg (337 lbs) with a top speed of 160km/h (99 mph), it offered a distinct riding experience. 1980s motorcycles are the rising stars of the collector market. Early sportbikes and final-generation air-cooled models are gaining strong interest.
The 1989 Honda GB500 TT from Japan was powered by a 498cc SOHC single producing 40hp at 7000rpm. Weighing 170.0kg (375 lbs) and with a seat height of 790mm, it was aimed at cafe racer riders.
The 1971 Ducati 450 Desmo, hailing from Italy, by contrast offered 436cc of SOHC single desmo power, delivering 35hp at 7500rpm. Tipping the scales at 153.0kg (337 lbs) with a top speed of 160km/h (99 mph), it offered a distinct riding experience. 1980s motorcycles are the rising stars of the collector market. Early sportbikes and final-generation air-cooled models are gaining strong interest.
Specifications Comparison
| 1989 Honda GB500 TT | 1971 Ducati 450 Desmo | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 498 cc | 436 cc |
| Power | 40 hp | 35 hp |
| Torque | 39.0 Nm | 33.0 Nm |
| Cylinders | 1 | 1 |
| Top Speed | 160 km/h | 160 km/h |
| Quarter Mile | — | — |
| Dry Weight | 170.0 kg | 153.0 kg |
| Wet Weight | 184.0 kg | 165.0 kg |
| Seat Height | 790 mm | 800 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1395 mm | 1390 mm |
| Fuel Capacity | 14.0 L | 14.0 L |
| Gears | 5 -speed | 5 -speed |
The Verdict
These two machines serve fundamentally different purposes. The 1989 Honda GB500 TT is built for spirited café-racer style riding, while the 1971 Ducati 450 Desmo targets all-round versatility and everyday riding. On paper, the 1989 Honda GB500 TT's 40hp trumps the 1971 Ducati 450 Desmo's 35hp, but raw numbers don't tell the whole story in such different segments. Choose the 1989 Honda GB500 TT if you value spirited café-racer style riding; pick the 1971 Ducati 450 Desmo for all-round versatility and everyday riding.
About the 1989 Honda GB500 TT
The 1989 1989 Honda GB500 TT packs a 498cc SOHC single engine with 40hp into a cafe racer package from Honda.
Full 1989 Honda GB500 TT Profile →About the 1971 Ducati 450 Desmo
A standard motorcycle from 1971, the 1971 Ducati 450 Desmo delivers 35hp from its 436cc SOHC single desmo engine.
Full 1971 Ducati 450 Desmo Profile →