Possible Honda CBR400R with four-cylinder engine?

9. September 2024

5 min read

Honda could be working on a new sporty machine that puts the existing CBR400R in the shade. The rumor mill is buzzing, as recent patent applications suggest that Honda is planning a CBR400R with a four-cylinder engine. This potential newcomer to the sportbike segment could be the answer to Kawasaki's successful Ninja ZX-4R, which has already caused quite a stir. Here is what we know so far about the potential model and what it could mean.

Patent application points to CBR400R with four-cylinder engine

On August 27, 2023, Honda filed a new patent application with the Japanese Intellectual Property Office protecting the name “CBR400R Four”. This move suggests that Honda is planning a completely new inline-four sports bike that is different from the CBR400R currently available in Japan. The latter is basically a CBR500R whose displacement has been reduced to 399cc to meet the stricter licensing requirements in Japan.

However, the new CBR400R Four would take a different route and would probably be equipped with a four-cylinder engine, which could lift it into a different performance class. The addition “Four” in the model name is a clear indication that it is a four-cylinder engine, as used in earlier Honda models, for example the famous CB750 Four from 1969.

Inline-Four as competition for the Ninja ZX-4R

If the CBR400R Four actually goes into production, it would be a direct competitor to the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4R, which is currently regarded as one of the most powerful representatives in the small four-cylinder sports bike class. Kawasaki has already successfully positioned the ZX-4R and its more powerful sister ZX-4RR worldwide, so Honda may be aiming at a similar target group: Fans of sporty, high-revving machines with smaller displacement.

The new CBR400R Four could be characterized in particular by its engine characteristics. Traditionally, four-cylinder engines are characterized by a linear power delivery and high revs, which ensures strong performance, especially in sporty motorcycles. In the past, motorcycles such as the Honda CBR400RR from the 1980s set standards with such characteristics, and the return to this concept could be Honda’s answer to the increased demand for performance-oriented small motorcycles.

Design and possible features

In addition to the engine, aerodynamic improvements could also play a role. Smaller motorcycles such as the CBR500R and CBR650R are already equipped with winglets to improve aerodynamics. It can be assumed that Honda will use similar technology on the CBR400R Four, possibly in a new and unique form, to set the model apart from the others in the range.

Visually, the CBR400R Four could also be based on the sporty top models in the Honda range, such as the CBR600RR. An aggressive design that underlines the sporting ambitions is likely, especially if the machine is to keep pace with current trends in the sportbike segment.

Small-volume sportbikes on the rise

The growing popularity of small-volume sportbikes is not only evident at Kawasaki, but also at other manufacturers. Models such as the KTM RC 390, the Aprilia RS 457 and the CFMoto 450SS have found a growing fan base in recent years. Although these motorcycles often rely on single or twin-cylinder engines, a four-cylinder engine stands out due to its higher revs and characteristic sound. A new Honda CBR400R Four could fit right into this gap in the market and offer riders another sporty option.

Conclusion: Still a lot unclear, but great expectations

Although there has been no official confirmation from Honda as yet, the information suggests that the company has a powerful CBR400R with a four-cylinder engine in the pipeline. This could be offered not only on the Japanese market, but possibly also internationally. With the growing popularity of motorcycles in the sub-500cc segment and the success of Kawasaki’s ZX-4R, Honda has good reason to position itself in this area.

Whether the CBR400R Four will actually go into production and when it will come onto the market remains to be seen. However, if it does find its way into showrooms, it could become a serious competitor in the world of small-volume sporty motorcycles.

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