Okada stepped up to 500cc in
1996, helping develop the
V-twin Honda NSR500V and finished the season in 7th overall. In
1997, he claimed his first 500cc win in Indonesia and finished second to
Mick Doohan. Okada chose to retire at the end of the year. He made a one-off wildcard appearance at the
2008 Italian Grand Prix at Mugello in June, finishing 14th, in the first race for the pneumatic valved
Honda RC212V. ==Grand Prix career statistics==