Blog · 23 October 2026

CBR500R FOUR or CBR500R: four-cylinder versus twin-cylinder

With the CBR500R FOUR, Honda is bringing a newly developed 500-class sports bike with an in-line four-cylinder engine for model year 2027. Honda Motorrad Zürich continues to offer the familiar twin-cylinder CBR500R. CBR500R FOUR or CBR500R – what sets the two apart.

CBR500R FOUR or CBR500R – Honda CBR500R FOUR, fully faired sports bike with an in-line four-cylinder engine

Four or two cylinders

The Honda CBR500R FOUR is not an update of the twin-cylinder CBR500R but, according to Honda, a motorcycle developed from the ground up. Its liquid-cooled in-line four-cylinder engine has 502 cm³ and 16 valves and revs up to 12,500 rpm. According to Honda Switzerland, it is a larger version of the engine of the CB400 SUPER FOUR, which has been popular in Japan for over 30 years. The Honda CBR500R, by contrast, has a 471 cm³ parallel twin.

Output and licence

With 35 kW (47 hp) and 43 Nm, the CBR500R is designed for category A restricted (A2). According to Honda, the CBR500R FOUR delivers around 70 hp; depending on the document, the Honda Switzerland documentation states 51.8 kW or 53.0 kW. The full-power version therefore requires a category A licence. However, the CBR500R FOUR is also available from the factory as a 35 kW version, which Honda Switzerland lists for category A restricted (A2). All models for this category are shown on the page A2 motorcycles from Honda.

Honda CBR500R with Fireblade-style winglets — The twin-cylinder CBR500R: 35 kW, for category A restricted (A2)

E-Clutch: standard on the FOUR

On the CBR500R FOUR, the Honda E-Clutch is standard. You pull away without using the clutch lever and change gear without declutching; the lever nevertheless remains in place and can be used at any time. The shift feel can be set to three levels (Hard, Medium, Soft), separately for upshifts and downshifts, and the system can be switched off. The CBR500R is now also available with E-Clutch. How the technology works is explained in the post Honda E-Clutch.

The figures compared

	CBR500R FOUR	CBR500R
Engine	In-line four-cylinder, 502 cm³	Parallel twin, 471 cm³
Output	around 70 hp (51.8 or 53.0 kW depending on the document), also as a 35 kW version	35 kW (47 hp)
Torque	46.3 or 47.4 Nm depending on the document	43 Nm
Tank	14 litres	17.1 litres
Consumption (WMTC)	4.5 l/100 km	3.5 l/100 km
Seat height	780 mm	785 mm
Top speed	210 km/h	176 km/h
E-Clutch	standard	available

Figures from Honda Switzerland (press kit and technical data). The CBR500R FOUR weighs 189 kg ready to ride.

Which one suits whom?

With 35 kW, the CBR500R is made directly for category A restricted (A2) and uses less fuel. According to Honda, the CBR500R FOUR is aimed at newcomers and younger riders looking for a four-cylinder sports bike – as a full-power version for category A or as a 35 kW version. More sporty models are shown in the Honda Supersport category.

CBR500R FOUR and CBR500R at Honda Motorrad Zürich

Honda CBR500R FOUR
Model year 2027

Displacement
502 cc
Fuel tank
14 l
Top speed
210 km/h

New 2027E-Clutch
Honda CBR500R
Model year 2026

Displacement
471 cc
Power
35 kW
Fuel tank
17.1 l

A2E-Clutch

Sources

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions about the CBR500R FOUR and CBR500R

Is the CBR500R FOUR the successor to the CBR500R?

No. According to Honda, the CBR500R FOUR is a motorcycle with an in-line four-cylinder engine developed from the ground up. Honda Motorrad Zürich continues to offer the twin-cylinder CBR500R.

How much power does the CBR500R FOUR have?

Honda states around 70 hp; depending on the document, the Honda Switzerland documentation gives 51.8 kW or 53.0 kW. A 35 kW version is also available from the factory.

Can I ride the CBR500R FOUR with a category A restricted licence (A2)?

Not the full-power version, as it delivers more than 35 kW. For category A restricted (A2), a 35 kW version is available from the factory, which Honda Switzerland lists as an A2 model.

Does the CBR500R FOUR have an E-Clutch?

Yes, the Honda E-Clutch is standard on the CBR500R FOUR. It can be switched off, and the clutch lever can still be used at any time.

How big is the tank of the CBR500R FOUR?

The tank holds 14 litres, on the CBR500R it is 17.1 litres. Honda states consumption according to WMTC as 4.5 and 3.5 l/100 km respectively.

Further links