New Honda CBR500R Four Breaks Cover in China

Honda has quietly unveiled the all-new CBR500R Four at the China International Import Expo, catching many by surprise. The new model signals Honda’s return to the small-displacement inline-four segment, a space it had long vacated in favor of parallel-twin engines.

At the heart of the CBR500R Four is a newly developed 502cc, liquid-cooled inline-four engine, replacing the long-running twin-cylinder setup. Power delivery is further refined by the availability of Honda’s E-Clutch system, redesigned and repositioned to achieve improved weight distribution.

According to approval documents filed in China, the engine produces 70.8 bhp, a figure that somehow falls short when compared to local rivals such as the CFMoto 500SR Voom, which delivers 77.8 bhp from its 499cc inline-four.

The bike is built around a diamond frame and features an inverted front fork paired with a linked-type rear monoshock. Braking setup is handled by dual front discs with Nissin calipers and a single rear disc. Kerb weight is listed at 189 kg.

Tech-wise, the CBR500R Four comes with a 5-inch TFT display expected to support Honda RoadSync, offering navigation, call handling, and media control.

Alongside the fully-faired CBR500R Four, Honda also showcased the CB500 Super Four, a naked variant inspired by the retro styling of the CB1000F.

While the new CBR500R Four might launch first in China, international availability remains unclear due to the lack of official confirmation. Its absence from EICMA 2025 also suggests that a global rollout may not happen anytime soon. Still, Honda’s reentry into the compact four-cylinder category is a notable move, one that enthusiasts like us will be watching closely.