Chinese approval reveals Honda’s upcoming four-cylinder
Honda previewed its upcoming CBR500R Four and CB400 Super Four models at the CIMA show in China in September but despite putting the bikes on display it revealed few technical details and hasn’t released studio images of the bikes. Now that’s changed with the publication of type-approval paperwork in China that gives away key facts and figures about the fully-faired version.
We already knew that Honda, which is building the two bikes at its Chinese Wuyang-Honda plant, has developed a new 500cc four-cylinder engine, confirmed in the approval to measure precisely 502cc. It’s paired to a transmission using a next-generation version of the company’s E-Clutch system, similar to the system offered on the CBR650R but more compact, with the electromechanical actuators moved to the lefthand side of the engine.
Showa suspension, Nissin four-pot brakes and a steel frame are also expected, while the new approval document confirms key elements including a 210km/h top speed, a lithe kerb weight of 189kg and a 1412mm wheelbase.
The engine uses a 60mm bore, which means we can calculate the stroke to be 44.4mm to reach the 502cc capacity, and the approval shows that the max power is 52.8kW, putting it behind the 55kW of Kawasaki’s ZX-4RR and the 58kW of CFMoto’s 500SR Voom, both sure to be key rivals.
Honda’s precise plans for the bike on markets outside China are unclear at the moment, other than strong rumours that a 400cc version will also be launched to suit local requirements of the Japanese market, backed by evidence in the form of trademark applications. The company has also filed trademark applications for the names CBR500R Four and CB500 Super Four names around the globe, showing that while the bikes are being launched in China first, they will be sold more widely in the future.
