Just a few minutes ago we learned the news that Honda, on November 5, requested the patent registration of the acronym CBR500R Four. This new strategic move by the brand opens up new possibilities for the future medium-displacement sports model equipped with four-cylinder mechanics. And we say this because this summer it did the same with the commercial name CBR400R Four.
To tell the truth, this story goes back a long time, since it was in 2020 when for the first time we asked ourselves the following question in relation to this topic: What if the future holds a new Honda CBR400RR? Already then, rumors suggested that Honda could be working on nothing less than a new four-cylinder CBR400RR, similar to those “Hi-Sport” mounts that were successful like Coca-Cola in the 80s and 90s in the Japanese market.
Honda CBR500R Four, a specific variant intended for the European market?
This trend of once again launching low-medium displacement models on the market equipped with vigorous four-cylinder mechanics became increasingly stronger after the debut of the new Honda CBR250RR and Kawasaki Ninja ZX-25R. Then there was already open talk about the more than likely appearance on the scene of a CBR400RR. However, it was Kawasaki that struck first with its 2023 Ninja ZX-4R/RR, a motorcycle that essentially recalls the model’s glorious past at the end of the last century.
Returning to 2024, it was last August when we learned of Honda’s intention to resurrect its iconic CBR400R Four acronym. We would be facing a concept similar to the one that the brand already exploited more than three decades ago with frames as iconic as the MC22 (CBR250RR) and NC23 and NC29 (CBR400RR). Reviewing a little of the history of the latter, in 1983 Honda launched the first motorcycle with the initials CBR.
We are talking about the Honda CBR400R (NC17), which already had innovative solutions, such as a system called REV (predecessor of VTEC) and that changed the distribution from two to four valves when it exceeded 9,500 revolutions. In 1988 it would become known as Honda CBR400RR and in 1992, it would adopt the name Baby Blade, due to its great resemblance to the Honda CBR900RR. In figures, it was around 162 kg dry (179 kg in running order) and the power was close to 60 HP (legal limit in Japan at that time).
We return to the current moment, specifically to last September, when we were aware that Honda had requested the registration of the acronym CBR400R Four just a few weeks ago. The first idea that came to mind was clear: A model at the level of performance of the ZX-4RR with a power between 70 and 80 HP. That is to say, a true sports car equipped with a furious 4-cylinder in-line capable of offering a wide rotation speed.
But at this point in the story, it seems that Honda had an ace up its sleeve in the form of CBR500R Fourwhich could be a version focused on the European market, also equipped with the new Honda E-Clutch electronic clutch technology, released in the new CB650R and CBR650R.
Now we just have to wait for the brand to offer us some information on the subject, although everything points to next fall as the ideal time for the official launch of the future CBR500R Four.
