Honda unveils new CBR500R FOUR with 500cc inline-four engine

Honda has unveiled the CBR500R FOUR, a new middleweight sports bike powered by an all-new 500cc inline-four engine, with standard-fit E-Clutch technology and an A2 licence-friendly version also planned.

The 2027 model year machine draws on the Japanese manufacturer's experience with smaller-capacity four-cylinder bikes, including the CB400 SUPER FOUR, which was sold in Japan for more than three decades. 

The new CBR500R FOUR is intended to bring that engine configuration to a wider audience, combining a high-revving motor with modern electronics and everyday usability.

However, the naming could cause a little confusion. Honda already sells a CBR500R, which uses a parallel-twin engine, meaning the new CBR500R FOUR will sit alongside a motorcycle with an almost identical name but a fundamentally different engine layout. 

The addition of 'FOUR' is therefore an important distinction, particularly for buyers trying to work out which version of the CBR500R they are looking at.

The new machine's 500cc DOHC, 16-valve inline-four produces 53.0 kW at 11,000rpm, equivalent to around 73bhp, at 11,000rpm, with peak torque of 47.4Nm arriving at 9,750rpm. 

The engine has a 12,500rpm redline and uses a ram-air-fed downdraft intake system, with Honda also fitting low-friction cylinder coatings and Diamond-Like Carbon valve lifters.

Its 4-2-1 exhaust layout takes inspiration from the 1975 CB400 FOUR, one of Honda's early four-cylinder road bikes. 

The company says the new engine has been developed to offer a broad spread of power, rather than relying solely on high engine speeds, although the peak power and torque figures suggest riders will still need to work the gearbox to get the best from it.

Honda's E-Clutch system comes as standard, allowing the rider to pull away, stop and change gear without operating the clutch lever. 

The lever remains in place for conventional use, while the system also works with the bike's throttle-by-wire controls to manage rev-matched downshifts. Riders can adjust the system's operation and switch it off if they prefer to use the clutch manually.

Three riding modes, Standard, Sport and Urban, are provided, alongside two customisable User settings. These allow adjustments to engine power, engine braking and Honda Selectable Torque Control, the latter being Honda's traction control system.

The chassis uses a steel tube diamond-style frame, 41mm KYB upside-down front forks and a Pro-Link rear suspension setup, with an aluminium swingarm. 

Braking comes from twin 296mm front discs with radial-mount Nissin two-piston calipers, while two-channel ABS is standard. Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tyres are fitted, and the claimed kerb weight is 189kg.

Other equipment includes a five-inch colour TFT display, Honda RoadSync smartphone connectivity, LED lighting and a USB-C charging socket. Seat height is 780mm, while the 14-litre fuel tank is designed to keep the bike practical enough for everyday riding.

Honda will offer the CBR500R FOUR in Ignition Red Tricolour and Mat Ballistic Black Metallic, with a 35kW version available for A2 licence holders. 

The Honda CBR500R FOUR will be priced at £6,999 in the UK, with bikes arriving in dealerships in January 2027. A 35kW version will also be available for A2 licence holders.

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