- To come with a 502cc, inline-four engine
- Will also get the E-Clutch system
- Official timelines yet to be confirmed
Specifications for the recently unveiled Honda CBR500R Four have surfaced via approval documents filed in China, offering the clearest look yet at Honda’s upcoming small-capacity four-cylinder sportbike.
The new CBR500R Four, along with the CB500 Four, signals Honda’s return to the sub-600cc inline-four segment, a space it has largely stayed away from in recent years.
Power comes from a 502cc liquid-cooled inline-four engine, producing a claimed 70.8bhp. While respectable, that figure falls short of some Chinese rivals, most notably the CFMoto 500SR Voom, which uses a 499cc four-cylinder motor producing 77.8bhp. Honda’s focus here appears to be refinement rather than outright performance.
The CBR500R Four has a kerb weight of 189kg and is built around a diamond-type frame. Suspension duties are handled by an inverted front fork and a linked-type rear monoshock. Braking hardware includes twin front discs fitted with Nissin callipers, while the rear uses a single-disc setup. The bike also features Honda’s E-Clutch system, though it is mounted differently compared to other models in order to improve overall weight distribution.
According to the documents, the bike will launch first in China, with other international markets expected to follow at a later stage. However, with Honda choosing not to display the model at EICMA 2025, a global debut does not appear to be imminent.
For now, the CBR500R Four remains a future prospect, with official launch timelines yet to be confirmed.
