stan wagenaar
05-18-2009, 10:04 AM
Hi folks, just thought I would give you my review of the FT500. I picked up this bike late last fall, while looking for a basic bike for this summer. I was really looking for a 400-450cc twin, since I have owned a few in the past, and have had good luck with them as around town transport. I stumbled across this Ascot through word-of-mouth, and since it was in ok shape, and within my budget, I bought it.
My Ascot is a 1983 model, from the US, and I don't think any were imported to Canada after the 1982 model year.The bike is in good overall condition, although the previous owner used it more as a dual-sport bike than a street bike. The exhaust finish is pretty much gone (black chrome indeed, Honda!) but is still solid and not too loud. The red paint is still red, if somewhat scuffed, and from a distance the bike appears to be in very good condition.
The Ascot is a small bike overall, but it's riding position gives my carcass, at 5'10'' and 225lbs, enough room for comfort. The overall light weight and decent tires ( Bridgestone Spitfires) give it good handling in the tight twisty stuff, as long as speeds don't get too high. The power is pretty good down low, but any good running 450cc bike will out run the Ascot in a sprint.But the sound and feel of that big 500cc piston, especially hard on the gas coming out of a tight corner, just can't be matched by any small displacement multi.
Overall, with just around 1500 miles of use so far, I think the Ascot is a pretty decent thumper for the street, especially if you use it mostly for around town or secondary back roads under 120 kph. I can see why there are some hard-core fanatics of the classic British thumpers. Hell, my Ascot even drools a little oil from the top-end, just like the good old days!
I believe Cycle Canada tested the 1982 FT500, and it would be interesting to read those original thoughts and opinions. Heck, didn't Bruce Reeve buy an Ascot that very year! And even a young Costa Mouzoris, possibly smitten by the prose of the Cycle Canada tester, was captured (tricked?) by the beat of that lone piston. I will own a newer, bigger, faster bike one day. But for now, my heart (and my wallet) says the Ascot is here to stay.
My Ascot is a 1983 model, from the US, and I don't think any were imported to Canada after the 1982 model year.The bike is in good overall condition, although the previous owner used it more as a dual-sport bike than a street bike. The exhaust finish is pretty much gone (black chrome indeed, Honda!) but is still solid and not too loud. The red paint is still red, if somewhat scuffed, and from a distance the bike appears to be in very good condition.
The Ascot is a small bike overall, but it's riding position gives my carcass, at 5'10'' and 225lbs, enough room for comfort. The overall light weight and decent tires ( Bridgestone Spitfires) give it good handling in the tight twisty stuff, as long as speeds don't get too high. The power is pretty good down low, but any good running 450cc bike will out run the Ascot in a sprint.But the sound and feel of that big 500cc piston, especially hard on the gas coming out of a tight corner, just can't be matched by any small displacement multi.
Overall, with just around 1500 miles of use so far, I think the Ascot is a pretty decent thumper for the street, especially if you use it mostly for around town or secondary back roads under 120 kph. I can see why there are some hard-core fanatics of the classic British thumpers. Hell, my Ascot even drools a little oil from the top-end, just like the good old days!
I believe Cycle Canada tested the 1982 FT500, and it would be interesting to read those original thoughts and opinions. Heck, didn't Bruce Reeve buy an Ascot that very year! And even a young Costa Mouzoris, possibly smitten by the prose of the Cycle Canada tester, was captured (tricked?) by the beat of that lone piston. I will own a newer, bigger, faster bike one day. But for now, my heart (and my wallet) says the Ascot is here to stay.