Honda CBR500R mods & upgrades

The CBR500R shares its engine, frame and swingarm with the CB500F, so most non-bodywork parts are listed for both bikes. The 2016, 2019, 2022 and 2024 updates each split fitment, so match parts to your year.

1. Fit a fender eliminator

   TST lists one kit for the CBR500R and CB500F 2016–2023; Yoshimura's V2 kit lists the CBR500R 2016–2025 and the CB500F only 2016–2018. Neither lists 2013–2015, and the 2024 bike has a new LED taillight, so check that the listing names your year.

   Tail Tidy & Billet

2. Add sliders and covers

   Vortex V3 2.0 frame sliders list 2013–2016; Puig R19 frame sliders list 2016–2018 and 2019–2026. GB Racing lists secondary engine, clutch and alternator covers for 2019–2026, with separate 2013–2018 sets.

   Crash Protection

3. Choose a slip-on

   Yoshimura R-77 (Street 2013–2015, Signature 2016–2025), Akrapovič (2013–2015 and 2016–2026), Two Brothers M-2 (2013–2015), Hindle (2013–2015 and 2016–2024) and Hotbodies MGP (2013–2026) list slip-ons. Hotbodies states its slip-on does not remove the cat.

   Exhaust

4. Fit adjustable levers

   The stock brake lever became adjustable in 2016. Womet-Tech's Evos shorty kit lists the CBR500R and CB500F 2013–2021 and states it is not compatible with 2022+; Vortex V3 2.0 levers list the CBR500R 2013–2015.

   Levers

5. Spring the suspension for your weight

   Start with fork springs: 2013–2021 forks are conventional units with preload adjustment from 2016, and 2022+ bikes have the SFF-BP. Sportbike Track Gear lists a K-Tech Razor-RR shock for 2013–2018 (titled "CBR500RR"); the 2019+ shock is a different design.

   Suspension

6. Pick the screen and grips by year

   Puig lists Z Racing windscreens as three parts: 2013–2015, 2016–2018 and 2019–2026. TechSpec Gripster grips list the CBR500R and CB500F 2013–2018, and Stompgrip lists 2013–2015 and 2019–2026 for the CBR500R.

   BodyworkClip-ons & Throttle

1. Buy tires in the stock sizes

   Stock is 120/70-ZR17 front and 160/60-ZR17 rear (Honda). Confirm your tire choice is made in a 160/60 before planning around it.

   Tires & Wheels

2. Refresh pads, line and fluid

   2013–2021: one 320 mm disc and a two-piston caliper, so pads and a braided line matter most. 2022+: dual 296 mm discs with Nissin radial-mount calipers, which Honda's press calls four-piston while its US spec sheets say two-piston; identify yours before buying pads. Add a lever guard; Puig lists lever-protector adapters for 2013–2021 and 2022–2026.

   BrakesLevers

3. Spring the fork, then fit a shock

   2013–2021: springs and oil first, then internals for the conventional fork. 2022+: springs first, and confirm that any cartridge kit lists the SFF-BP fork. Choose a shock listed for your year; the 2019 update changed the shock.

   Suspension

4. Regear

   Stock is a 520 chain with a 15T front and 41T rear sprocket. Two or three teeth up at the rear is the usual track change. SprocketCenter lists 520 kits for 2013–2021 and 2022–2026, and Vortex lists a V3 kit for 2013–2021.

   Drivetrain

5. Prepare the bike for track use

   Hotbodies and Armour Bodies race bodywork lists 2013–2015. Woodcraft (complete rearsets and base kit for the CBR500R/CB500F) and Driven TT rearsets list 2013–2015. Add GB Racing covers (2019–2026) and Driven axle block sliders (2013–2015).

   Crash ProtectionBodyworkRearsets

6. Add a quickshifter, flash and full system last

   HealTech lists a QuickShifter Easy for 2013–2015. Woolich sells ECU packages for 2013–2015, 2016–2017, 2018–2020, 2021–2023 and 2024–2025. Hindle lists full systems for 2013–2015 (stainless) and 2016–2022 (Evo Megaphone).

   QuickshifterTuneExhaust

• 2013–2015 (launch)2013–2015

  471 cc twin with a 41 mm conventional fork, one 320 mm wave disc with a two-piston caliper, a 4.1 gal tank and optional ABS. Certain 2013 bikes were recalled for rocker-arm-shaft retaining bolts that can loosen (NHTSA 14V-056). Race bodywork, rearsets and several slip-ons list 2013–2015 as their own fitment.

• 2016–2018 update2016–2018

  LED headlights and taillight, a preload-adjustable fork, a 4.4 gal tank with a hinged cap, a five-step adjustable front brake lever and a shorter muffler (Honda). Yoshimura and Akrapovič list 2013–2015 slip-ons separately from 2016+ ones, and their 2016+ carbon slip-ons run to 2025–2026.

• 2019–2021 update2019–2021

  Restyle with the clip-ons moved below the top clamp, an assist/slipper clutch, intake, exhaust and valve-timing changes for more low-to-mid power, a new shock, a 4.5 gal tank, LCD with gear position and LED signals. ABS stayed optional in the US through 2020 (about $300 at the 2019 launch); the 2021 spec sheet lists only the ABS model. Certain 2019–2020 ABS bikes were recalled for ABS-modulator debris (NHTSA 21V-690). GB Racing lists 2019–2026 covers separately from its 2013–2018 sets.

• 2022–2023 update2022–2023

  New front end and chassis: 41 mm Showa SFF-BP inverted fork on new triple clamps, dual 296 mm petal discs with radial-mount Nissin calipers, lighter five-Y-spoke wheels, a 2 mm steel swingarm (was 2.3 mm), aluminum footpegs and standard ABS; 423 lb claimed. Fork and front-brake parts from earlier bikes do not cross.

• 2024+ update2024–present

  Fireblade-inspired bodywork with winglets, new dual headlights and LED taillight, a 5-inch TFT, standard HSTC traction control and an ECU update; 421 lb. Fork, brakes and engine are unchanged from 2022. Honda's 2026 lineup does not offer E-Clutch on the CBR500R.