Honda has brought the four-cylinder experience back to the middleweight motorcycle segment with two completely new motorcycles — the Honda CB500 SUPER FOUR and Honda CBR500R FOUR.
But before getting into the motorcycles themselves, there is an important timeline to understand.
These two bikes were globally unveiled at CIMAMotor 2025 in Chongqing, China, on September 19, 2025. Honda described the event as the global debut of two new CB-series four-cylinder motorcycles. At that time, the company announced that the bikes were planned for launch in early 2026.
The next major step came on March 27, 2026, when Honda China officially announced their prices as part of its 2026 new motorcycle launch event in Shanghai. The CB500 SUPER FOUR was priced at 42,980 yuan, while the CBR500R FOUR was priced at 44,980 yuan. Honda said both motorcycles would begin reaching the market from the end of April 2026.
That makes these motorcycles interesting for one major reason: Honda has combined a relatively compact 502cc inline-four engine with modern electronics, Honda E-Clutch technology and two very different designs.
The CB500 SUPER FOUR is aimed at riders who want the classic naked-bike character, while the CBR500R FOUR takes the same four-cylinder platform into a fully faired sportbike format.
So, what exactly do these motorcycles offer?
Honda CB500 Super Four & CBR500R Four: What Is New?
The biggest story is not the styling. It is the engine.
Both motorcycles use a newly developed 502cc liquid-cooled inline-four-cylinder engine. Honda’s China specification lists a 60.0mm bore and 44.4mm stroke, with maximum power of 52.8kW at 11,000rpm. The published Chinese-market specifications also list peak torque of around 47.1Nm at 10,000rpm.
That makes these bikes fundamentally different from the existing global Honda CBR500R and CB500F, which use a 471cc parallel-twin engine.
The new motorcycles instead bring back the character of a high-revving four-cylinder middleweight.
Honda also equips both bikes with its E-Clutch electronic clutch system. This allows the rider to start, stop and change gears without continuously operating the clutch lever. Honda says the system can work in automatic or manual modes, giving riders the choice between convenience and traditional clutch control.
This combination of a four-cylinder engine and E-Clutch is what gives the new 500 series its identity.
Honda CB500 SUPER FOUR Review
The CB500 SUPER FOUR is the more classic motorcycle of the two.
Instead of chasing an aggressive supersport appearance, Honda has used a traditional naked-bike design with a round headlamp, exposed mechanical components and a clean fuel-tank profile.
It is clearly connected to Honda’s long-running CB family design philosophy.
The motorcycle also uses a twin-round rear-light design, which gives the rear section a stronger retro influence. Honda’s official Chinese product page specifically highlights the round headlamp, twin-round tail-lamp treatment and the bike’s four-cylinder CB heritage.
The result is a motorcycle that does not try to hide its mechanical character.
The four-cylinder engine is part of the visual appeal.
That is important because modern motorcycles are increasingly moving towards aggressive bodywork and electronics-heavy designs. The CB500 SUPER FOUR takes a different approach. It keeps the motorcycle looking like a motorcycle.
CB500 SUPER FOUR Engine
The 502cc inline-four is the heart of this motorcycle.
Honda lists:
- Engine: 502cc
- Configuration: Inline four-cylinder
- Cooling: Liquid-cooled
- Bore × Stroke: 60.0 × 44.4mm
- Maximum Power: 52.8kW at 11,000rpm
- Peak Torque: 47.1Nm at 10,000rpm
- Transmission: 6-speed
- Fuel Tank: 14.5 litres
- Kerb Weight: around 188kg according to published Chinese-market specifications
The power delivery is expected to feel very different from a typical twin-cylinder middleweight.
A four-cylinder engine generally delivers a smoother and more continuous build-up as the revs rise. Honda is also using the high-revving nature of the engine as part of the bike’s character.
The important point, however, is that the engine is not simply about peak power.
The four-cylinder configuration is also about refinement, sound and throttle response.
That is exactly where the CB500 SUPER FOUR is trying to differentiate itself.
Honda E-Clutch: One of the Biggest Features
The Honda E-Clutch system is another major feature.
In conventional motorcycles, the rider normally has to use the clutch lever when starting, stopping and changing gears.
Honda’s E-Clutch adds electronic control to this process.
On the CB500 SUPER FOUR, the rider can operate the bike without constantly pulling the clutch lever. The system can automatically manage clutch engagement while the rider continues to control the gear lever.
However, riders who prefer traditional manual control are not forced to use the automatic operation.
Honda says the system supports manual and automatic modes.
That makes the technology particularly interesting for daily riding.
In heavy traffic, the system can reduce the amount of clutch work required. On open roads, the rider can still choose manual operation.
For a four-cylinder motorcycle that may be used for both commuting and weekend riding, this is a meaningful feature rather than just a technology gimmick.
Electronics and Features
The CB500 SUPER FOUR also gets a 5-inch TFT colour instrument cluster.
Honda’s Chinese-market specification lists Honda RoadSync connectivity, allowing smartphone-related functions such as navigation, calls and music depending on supported devices and setup.
The motorcycle also uses a TBW electronic throttle, which provides the electronic foundation for modern engine-management functions.
Honda has therefore not simply recreated an old-school four-cylinder motorcycle.
Instead, the company has taken the classic CB formula and combined it with current electronic technology.
That balance is one of the most interesting aspects of the motorcycle.
Suspension and Chassis
The CB500 SUPER FOUR uses a Pro-Link multi-link rear suspension and an aluminium rear swingarm.
Honda says the Pro-Link layout helps centralise mass and improve suspension performance, while the aluminium swingarm contributes to weight reduction.
The motorcycle’s dimensions listed by Honda China are 2,615mm long, 905mm wide and 1,430mm tall.
The combination of a relatively compact middleweight engine, four-cylinder layout and modern chassis technology makes the CB500 SUPER FOUR more than just a nostalgia product.
It is designed as a modern motorcycle that happens to use a classic four-cylinder formula.
Honda CBR500R FOUR Review
If the CB500 SUPER FOUR is about classic street-bike character, the CBR500R FOUR is about sportbike attitude.
It uses the same basic 502cc inline-four engine but wraps it in a completely different package.
Honda describes the CBR500R FOUR as a model developed specifically for Chinese riders. It gets full fairing, sharper bodywork and a more futuristic design language.
The result is visually much more aggressive than the naked CB500.
The CBR500R FOUR is also interesting because Honda already sells a motorcycle called the CBR500R in several markets. However, the conventional CBR500R uses a 471cc parallel-twin engine.
The CBR500R FOUR is a different motorcycle with a four-cylinder 502cc engine.
That distinction is important for buyers searching for the model online.
CBR500R FOUR Engine and Performance
The CBR500R FOUR shares the same basic 502cc inline-four engine as the CB500 SUPER FOUR.
Honda China lists:
- 502cc liquid-cooled inline-four engine
- 52.8kW maximum power
- Maximum power at 11,000rpm
- Around 47.1Nm peak torque
- 6-speed transmission
- 14-litre-class fuel tank
- Around 189kg kerb weight according to Chinese-market published specifications
The CBR500R FOUR’s engine is also specially tuned for its sportier character.
Honda highlights its multi-frequency resonance exhaust note, which is designed to give the bike a more distinctive four-cylinder sound.
This is important because sound is a major part of the appeal of an inline-four motorcycle.
The bike is not simply trying to produce numbers.
It is trying to deliver the experience associated with a four-cylinder sportbike.
CBR500R FOUR Design
The CBR500R FOUR gets a full fairing with sharp surfaces and a modern digital-inspired design.
Honda describes the styling as a combination of technology and mechanical design, with the motorcycle intended to represent a more futuristic direction for the CBR family.
Unlike the CB500 SUPER FOUR, the CBR500R FOUR hides most of its mechanical components behind the fairing.
This gives it a more focused appearance.
The riding position is also expected to feel sportier than the naked CB500.
However, the motorcycle remains a middleweight road-going machine rather than a dedicated track motorcycle.
That distinction matters.
The CBR500R FOUR’s combination of four-cylinder power, fairing and electronic assistance makes it suitable for riders who want the visual appeal of a supersport without moving into a much larger engine category.
CBR500R FOUR Chassis and Suspension
The CBR500R FOUR uses a diamond-type frame architecture with a linked rear suspension system.
Published Chinese-market specifications list a 189kg kerb weight, making the motorcycle very close in weight to the CB500 SUPER FOUR.
The bike also gets an aluminium rear swingarm and Pro-Link rear suspension.
At the front, the motorcycle uses inverted forks, while braking hardware includes disc brakes.
The combination is aimed at giving the bike stable handling while maintaining the everyday usability expected from a middleweight Honda.
Technology: TFT, RoadSync and TBW
The CBR500R FOUR gets the same broad electronic package as the CB500 SUPER FOUR.
That includes:
- 5-inch TFT instrument display
- Honda RoadSync connectivity
- TBW electronic throttle
- Honda E-Clutch
- Multiple riding modes
- Modern electronic engine management
Honda’s official product information confirms the TFT, RoadSync, TBW and E-Clutch equipment.
This means the CBR500R FOUR is not simply a mechanical four-cylinder motorcycle.
It is a modern electronic motorcycle built around a four-cylinder engine.
CB500 SUPER FOUR vs CBR500R FOUR
The two motorcycles share their most important mechanical components, but their personalities are different.
| Feature | Honda CB500 SUPER FOUR | Honda CBR500R FOUR |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 502cc inline-four | 502cc inline-four |
| Maximum Power | 52.8kW @ 11,000rpm | 52.8kW @ 11,000rpm |
| Peak Torque | Around 47.1Nm | Around 47.1Nm |
| Transmission | 6-speed | 6-speed |
| Clutch | Honda E-Clutch | Honda E-Clutch |
| Throttle | TBW | TBW |
| Display | 5-inch TFT | 5-inch TFT |
| Connectivity | Honda RoadSync | Honda RoadSync |
| Fuel Tank | 14.5L | Around 14L |
| Kerb Weight | Around 188kg | Around 189kg |
| Design | Naked/retro street bike | Fully faired sportbike |
| China Price | ¥42,980 | ¥44,980 |
The biggest difference is therefore not the engine.
It is the motorcycle built around that engine.
The CB500 SUPER FOUR is the more relaxed and classic-looking option.
The CBR500R FOUR is the more aggressive and sport-oriented machine.
Honda CB500 SUPER FOUR Price in China
Honda China announced an official suggested retail price of 42,980 yuan for the CB500 SUPER FOUR.
The CBR500R FOUR is priced at 44,980 yuan.
Honda announced these prices at its March 27, 2026 new motorcycle launch event in Shanghai. The company said the two four-cylinder motorcycles would begin launching from the end of April.
It is important not to directly convert these prices into an expected Indian ex-showroom price.
Chinese pricing, taxes, production costs, distribution and homologation requirements are different.
So the yuan prices should be treated as China-market prices, not India price estimates.
Where Were the Honda CB500 SUPER FOUR and CBR500R FOUR First Unveiled?
This is one of the most important parts of the story.
Honda unveiled both motorcycles at CIMAMotor 2025 in Chongqing, China.
The event ran from September 19 to September 22, 2025, and Honda’s official announcement dated September 19 confirms that the two CB-series four-cylinder motorcycles made their global debut there.
Therefore, if you are searching for the original launch story, the correct event is:
CIMAMotor 2025 — Chongqing, China
Not CIMAMotor 2026.
The motorcycles subsequently moved from global unveiling to their official China-market launch in March 2026.
This distinction is important because automotive and motorcycle reports often use the words “unveiled”, “revealed” and “launched” interchangeably even though they can refer to different stages.
For the Honda four-cylinder 500 series, the timeline is much clearer:
September 19, 2025: Global debut at CIMAMotor 2025.
March 27, 2026: China-market pricing and official launch announcement.
Late April 2026: Planned market rollout in China.
That is the verified timeline from Honda’s own announcements.
Will Honda CB500 SUPER FOUR Come to India?
As of the currently verified information, Honda has not officially announced an India launch for either the CB500 SUPER FOUR or CBR500R FOUR.
This is an important distinction.
The motorcycles are officially available in Honda China’s product portfolio, but that does not mean an Indian launch has been confirmed.
Honda’s official Chinese website currently lists both the CB500 SUPER FOUR and CBR500R FOUR in its motorcycle range.
Until Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India makes an official announcement, an India launch should be treated as unconfirmed.
That also means there is no verified India ex-showroom price to report at this stage.
Who Are These Bikes For?
The CB500 SUPER FOUR makes sense for riders who want the classic four-cylinder experience without moving into a much larger motorcycle.
Its round headlamp, exposed engine and upright street-bike design make it more suitable for riders who prefer a traditional naked motorcycle.
The CBR500R FOUR is aimed at a different audience.
It is for riders who want:
- Full fairing
- Sportbike styling
- Four-cylinder engine character
- Modern electronics
- E-Clutch convenience
- A middleweight platform
The choice therefore comes down largely to riding style.
If the priority is classic design and everyday usability, the CB500 SUPER FOUR has the more natural personality.
If the priority is sporty styling and a more aggressive riding experience, the CBR500R FOUR is the more appropriate format.
What Makes the 502cc Four-Cylinder Engine Special?
The four-cylinder configuration is the biggest reason these motorcycles have attracted attention.
In the middleweight segment, manufacturers have increasingly relied on single-cylinder, twin-cylinder and parallel-twin engines.
Four-cylinder engines are more complex, generally heavier and more expensive to manufacture.
Yet they offer a distinctive combination of smoothness, high-revving character and sound.
Honda has a long history with four-cylinder motorcycles, and the new CB500 SUPER FOUR clearly uses that heritage as part of its identity.
The CBR500R FOUR takes the same idea and gives it a modern sportbike body.
This is why these motorcycles are more significant than their engine size alone suggests.
Final Verdict: Honda’s New Four-Cylinder Direction
The Honda CB500 SUPER FOUR and CBR500R FOUR represent a clear attempt to bring the four-cylinder experience into a more accessible middleweight category.
The formula is straightforward:
502cc inline-four + E-Clutch + modern electronics + two different body styles.
The CB500 SUPER FOUR focuses on classic CB styling and everyday street-bike character.
The CBR500R FOUR adds full fairing and a more aggressive sportbike personality.
Both use the same 52.8kW 502cc four-cylinder platform and both receive Honda’s E-Clutch technology, 5-inch TFT display and RoadSync connectivity.
The most important thing to remember, however, is the launch timeline.
These bikes were not first launched at CIMAMotor 2026.
Their global debut happened at CIMAMotor 2025 in Chongqing on September 19, 2025. Honda then formally announced China-market prices in March 2026, with the CB500 SUPER FOUR priced at ¥42,980 and the CBR500R FOUR at ¥44,980.
For motorcycle enthusiasts, the real attraction is the return of a modern Honda middleweight four-cylinder platform.
And for Honda, these two motorcycles show that the company still sees a place for four-cylinder character in a market increasingly dominated by smaller-cylinder configurations.
Honda CB500 SUPER FOUR & CBR500R FOUR FAQs
When were the Honda CB500 SUPER FOUR and CBR500R FOUR first unveiled?
Both motorcycles made their global debut at CIMAMotor 2025 in Chongqing, China, on September 19, 2025.
When were the bikes officially launched in China?
Honda announced their China-market pricing on March 27, 2026, with market rollout planned from the end of April 2026.
What engine does the Honda CB500 SUPER FOUR use?
It uses a newly developed 502cc liquid-cooled inline-four-cylinder engine producing 52.8kW at 11,000rpm in the Chinese-market specification.
What is the price of the Honda CB500 SUPER FOUR in China?
The official suggested retail price is ¥42,980 in China.
What is the price of the CBR500R FOUR?
Honda China lists the CBR500R FOUR at ¥44,980.
Does the CBR500R FOUR use the same engine?
Yes. Both motorcycles use Honda’s new 502cc inline-four platform.
Do these motorcycles get Honda E-Clutch?
Yes. Honda officially lists E-Clutch on both four-cylinder 500 models.
Is the Honda CB500 SUPER FOUR confirmed for India?
No official India launch has been announced by Honda at the time of writing.
Is the CBR500R FOUR the same as the existing CBR500R?
No. The CBR500R FOUR uses a 502cc inline-four engine, while the existing CBR500R is based on Honda’s 471cc parallel-twin platform.
What is the main difference between the two bikes?
The CB500 SUPER FOUR is a naked/retro-style street motorcycle, while the CBR500R FOUR is a fully faired sportbike. Their core 502cc four-cylinder powertrain is shared.
