A legend turns 50
Moto-Union 2026 celebrates the Yamaha XT500 motorbike.
Yamaha XT500 50th anniversary celebration
In 1976 Yamaha introduced a motorbike that would change adventure riding forever. Fifty years later, Moto-Union is proud to celebrate the legendary Yamaha XT500 with a special anniversary gathering dedicated to one of the most influential motorbikes ever built.
From country lanes and mountain trails to the vast deserts of Africa, the XT500 earned a reputation for rugged simplicity, reliability and adventure. Its distinctive single-cylinder engine, lightweight chassis and go-anywhere capability created a new generation of riders and inspired countless dual-sport and adventure motorbikes that followed.
Own a Yamaha XT500?
Register your motorbike in advance and receive free entry to Moto-Union 2026 as part of our special XT500 anniversary celebrations.
Join fellow enthusiasts, owners, restorers and admirers as we mark 50 years of the Yamaha XT500 with a dedicated display, celebration and awards. Register your XT500 now and be part of the celebration.
Yamaha XT500 specifications
Power
Speed
Engine
Price New (1976):
£999
Production:
1976 – 1989
Engine:
499cc, four stroke single cylinder
Top Speed:
95 mph
Power:
37 bhp
Transmission:
5-speed
Why register your Yamaha XT500?
Join the celebration
Your bike will be part of our display, chat to fellow enthusiasts and enjoy commemorative cupcakes.
Win an award
We’ll have a few awards to give out for the XT500’s on the day, as chosen by our judges.
Free entry
Enjoy free entry to Moto-Union 2026 when you register your motorbike in advance.
Register your bike in under 3 minutes
Tell us about your bike
Complete our quick registration form with a few details about your bike, including the make, model, and year.
We’ll review your entry
Our team will take a look to make sure your bike is a good fit for the show. Don’t worry, this usually only takes a short time.
Get your entry confirmation
Once approved, we’ll send you a confirmation email with everything you need to know, including your free entry ticket to the show.
Conquering the Dakar
The Yamaha XT500’s greatest legend was forged in the desert.
In 1979, French rider Cyril Neveu rode a Yamaha XT500 to victory in the very first Paris-Dakar Rally, one of the toughest motorsport events ever created. He repeated the achievement in 1980, securing back-to-back victories and cementing the XT500’s place in motorcycling history.
The motorbike’s success came not from overwhelming power, but from reliability, toughness and the ability to keep moving when others failed. Those Dakar victories helped establish the XT500 as the ultimate desert adventurer and inspired generations of long-distance riders around the world.
