If you are one of those petrolheads like me, you will know that Honda in the 80s and 90s, had within its range such iconic models as the CBR400RRor her younger sister CBR250RR. Two “mills” capable of spinning above 13,000 rpm to offer an almost unique level of sensations and driving.
Both models remained within the range of the golden wing firm until 1999, exclusively for the Japanese market, although some units would end up arriving on our continent in a “parallel” manner. Subsequently, Honda kept the CB400 Super Four within its model portfolio, equipped with an engine developed on the basis of the CBR400RR, offering 56 hp at 11,000 rpm.
The CBR400RR could be back in 2025
Once again, our colleagues at Young Machine have given us a clue as to what Honda might be preparing for next season. Before that, let’s take a break and go back to August 2020. Back then, we were already wondering: What if the future holds a new Honda CBR400RR?
By then there were already rumours coming from Japan that openly spoke of the possibility that Honda was working on nothing less than a new four-cylinder Honda CBR400RR, a concept similar to the one that already exploded in the 80s and 90s with the aforementioned MC22 (CBR250RR) and NC23 and NC29 (CBR400RR).
At that time, Honda already had a new generation of CBR250RR in its ranks, specifically since the 2016 season. Later, there was talk of its possible arrival at European dealerships, something that ultimately did not happen. However, with the launch of the Kawasaki ZX-4R Ninja on our continent, the chances of Honda delighting us with a CBR400RR increase.
There’s more, this bike could include among its list of optional features the new Honda E-Clutch electronic clutch technology, recently launched on the new Honda CBR650R and CB650R. By the way, here you have the test of the Honda CB650R E-Clutch in which our colleague Pipe shows off the benefits of the system.
Let’s go back to the CBR400RR and everything that would encompass the new Honda sports model. To start with, a chassis part, probably shared, for the most part, with the efficient CBR250RR already existing: 37 mm inverted front fork, Pro-Link monoshock at the rear, double front brake disc and radial Nissin calipers, among others.
The whole thing is very likely to be built on a tubular steel chassis. Anchored to it is a 400 cc four-cylinder that should offer us some 70 HP of power approximately. On the other hand, we wonder, would Honda dare to make an SP version and even a track-oriented variant?
That’s something we should wait for the brand itself to answer. Perhaps EICMA 2024 will be the ideal place to resolve all these doubts surrounding the future CBR400RR 2025. Also the moment in which it could be launched on the market, although Young Machine predicts autumn of next year as the right time for it. Place your bets.
