| MODEL | HONDA CR 500R 1996 - 1998 |
| Year | 1996 - 1998 |
| Engine Type | Two stroke, single cylinder, reed valve with power valve |
| Displacement / Capacity | 491.4 cc / 29.9 cu in |
| Bore X Stroke | 89.0 x 79.0 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 6.8:1 |
| Cooling System | Liquid cooled |
| Max Power | 41.7 kW / 56 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Max Torque | 72.2 Nm / 53.3 lb-ft @ 6000 rpm |
| Ignition | CDI |
| Induction | Single 38 mm Keihin flat-slide carburettor |
| Start System | Kick |
| TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
| Lubrication | Pre-mix |
| Gear Box | 5 Speed |
| Clutch | Wet plate |
| Final Drive | Chain |
| CHASSIS SPECS | |
| Frame | Welded steel tubing |
| Front Suspension | 46 mm Kayaba inverted cartridge fork |
| Rear Suspension | Showa Pro-Link single shock, adjustable compression and rebound damping, 320 mm / 12.6 in travel |
| Front Brakes | Single 240 mm disc, 2 piston caliper |
| Rear Brakes | Single 220 mm disc, 1 piston caliper |
| DIMENSION SPECS | |
| Overall Length | — |
| Overall Width | — |
| Overall Height | — |
| Seat Height | 964 mm / 38.0 in |
| Wheelbase | 1489 mm / 58.6 in |
| Ground Clearance | 343 mm / 13.5 in |
| Dry Weight | 105.6 kg / 233 lbs |
| Wet Weight | 112 kg / 247 lbs |
| WHEEL SPECS | |
| Front Tyre | 80/100-21 |
| Rear Tyre | 110/100-18 |
| FUEL SYSTEM | |
| Fuel Capacity | 9 Litres / 2.4 US gal |
| Fuel Consumption | — |
| Top Speed | — |
The 1996-1998 CR500R carried on with the same 491 cc liquid-cooled two-stroke, but 1996 brought a 46 mm Kayaba inverted cartridge fork in place of the earlier Showa unit. Graphics changed each year: a fluorescent yellow CR logo for 1996, a red front and white rear fender for 1997, and Nuclear Red with Ross White for 1998, with a detachable rear subframe on the later bikes.
