- Honda filed a patent for CBR500R Four
- Similar patent was filed for a 400cc bike in August
After Honda filed a patent for the CBR400R Four in August, the company has now filed a similar patent for a bike called CBR500R Four. The name has been submitted to Japan’s intellectual property office and is clearly being reserved for an inline four-cylinder motorcycle.
The company already has 400cc and 500cc twin-cylinder CBR models for Japan and other global markets, respectively. That’s because Japan and some other Asian markets have a separate license class for 400cc and smaller motorcycles. It seems like the company will follow the same strategy with its upcoming four-cylinder bikes.
With a 500cc model, Honda might also be able to bypass the emission-related limitations on power output in some markets like North America, where Kawasaki had to detune the Ninja ZX-4R and RR down to 56bhp, despite their engine being capable of making over 70bhp. With a larger displacement, Honda might be able to keep the noise levels under the specified mark while offering more power.
Honda’s patent filings don’t necessarily confirm that these motorcycles will make it to production. What it indicates though is that development is undergoing on these bikes and they might see the light of the day in the future.
