What Is an RH850 ECU? Flashing Newer Motorcycles
If your motorcycle was built in the last few years, its ECU is probably based on the Renesas RH850, a family of automotive processors that replaced the older SH and M32R chips. Denso, Keihin and Mitsubishi all build motorcycle ECUs around it.
Which motorcycles use RH850 ECUs?
- Yamaha (Denso RH850): MT-09 and Tracer 9 from 2020/2021, YZF-R1 from 2020, MT-07 and Tracer 7 from 2025. See Yamaha ECU flashing.
- Suzuki (Denso and Mitsubishi RH850): Hayabusa and GSX-S1000 from 2021, GSX-8S, V-Strom 800 DE and V-Strom 1050. See Suzuki ECU flashing.
- Honda (Keihin RH850): CBR650R, CBR500R, CB500X, NC750, CBR1000RR and newer. See Honda ECU flashing.
- Kawasaki (Mitsubishi RH850): ZX-10R from 2021, Z1000SX from 2020, ZX-25R, ZX-4RR, and Z900 and Z 1100 from 2025. See Kawasaki ECU flashing.
- KTM (Keihin RH850): 1290 Super Duke and Super Adventure from 2020, 1390 Super Duke. See KTM ECU flashing.
- Triumph (Keihin RH850): Street Triple, Speed Triple, Tiger, Daytona 660 and more from 2019. See Triumph ECU flashing.
What changed with RH850
RH850 ECUs have far more memory than the chips before them, from 768 KB to 4 MB, and stronger protection against unauthorised writing. Methods that worked on older ECUs do not work on them, so each manufacturer’s RH850 unit needs its own protocol. That is why support for these bikes arrived later and is sold as an add-on.
How RH850 ECUs are flashed
The Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, KTM and Triumph RH850 ECUs are read and written through the diagnostic connector with a Tactrix OpenPort 2.0 or CANable, without removing the ECU. Kawasaki’s Mitsubishi RH850 ECU works with a Tactrix or KKL cable; on most models it is read on the bench and written through the connector.
Supported RH850 ECUs
| ECU | Memory |
|---|---|
| Denso RH850 (Yamaha CAN) | 1.9 MB |
| Denso RH850 (Suzuki CAN) | 1.9 MB |
| Mitsubishi RH850 (Kawasaki CAN) | 2 MB |
| Mitsubishi RH850 (Suzuki CAN) | 2 MB |
| Keihin RH850 (Honda CAN) | 768 KB, 1 MB, 2 MB |
| Keihin RH850 (KTM CAN, 2020+ and 2024+) | 4 MB |
| Keihin RH850 (Triumph CAN, 2019 to 2022) | 4 MB |
| Keihin RH850 (Triumph Gen 4 CAN, 2023+) | 3 MB |
RH850 protocols are available as add-ons to any license. See pricing.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my motorcycle has an RH850 ECU?
Look up your model in the brand guides: the ECU column shows RH850 where it applies. As a rule, most bikes from about 2020 onwards from the big Japanese brands, KTM and Triumph use it.
Can RH850 ECUs be flashed through the OBD connector?
Yes. Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, KTM and Triumph RH850 ECUs are read and written through the connector. Kawasaki RH850 ECUs are written through the connector, and on most models read on the bench.
Why is RH850 support an add-on?
Every manufacturer’s RH850 ECU needs its own protocol, and each one takes a lot of development. You only buy the ones for the bikes you work on.
