| 1982-83 Honda FT500 Ascot |
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| Performance |   |
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| In stock form, the XL500-based mill is strangled and probably performs no better than a new 2011 CBR250R does with half the displacement. An aftermarket pipe, cam and carb could really wake up the thumper's power, however. |
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| Handling |  |
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| The FT used reasonably adequate suspension components for the time and straightforward construction. Ground clearance is ample and steering is light, but despite a fork brace was not truly precise. Braking was good. The stock tires did not inspire confidence. |
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| Looks | |
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| The overall look is somewhat bland, but Honda gets credit for creating a design that was appropriate for a single-cylinder engine without looking fakey or trying to be retro-stalgic. The supposed flat-track theme is only vaguely hinted at. A couple of the details such as the unnecessarily high headlight look odd, though not really unattractively so. |
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| Reliability | |
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| The electric starter's drive mechanism is fragile, and there's no back-up kickstarter. The cylinder head is susceptible to temperature-related issues; valves and cams are usually what kill high-mileage engines. Plastic pieces are a bit flimsy; chassis is solid as a rock otherwise. |
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| Practicality | |
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| The FT500 is big enough to make any trip, yet small enough to maneuver around any tight area. Riding position is superb at lower speeds; lower bars or a windshield are needed on long highway trips. The seat is only so-so. Despite a single balance shaft that smoothes out most of the thumping, the engine still transmits a high-frequency buzz to the rider's hands and feet. |
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| Desirability | |
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| The FT500 removes many of the hassles of living with other big thumpers, but ends up losing an equal measure of their magic. |
