Forget the “boring” parallel twins—Honda is finally bringing the scream back to the middleweight class! China just spilled the tea on the Honda CBR500R Four, and it’s a high-revving love letter to the 90s.
Here is the lowdown on Honda’s latest inline-four pocket rocket:
The Heart of the Beast
Hidden in Chinese approval filings is a brand-new 502cc liquid-cooled, inline-four engine. While we were all expecting a tiny version of the Fireblade, the numbers tell a more “civilized” story:
- Power: 70.8 bhp
- Kerb Weight: 189kg
- The Reality Check: It’s punchy, but it gets bullied by its local rival, the CFMoto 500SR Voom, which pumps out a rowdier 77.8 bhp from a slightly smaller 499cc heart.
Tech & Hardware: The “E-Clutch” Flex
Honda isn’t just giving you four cylinders; they’re giving you their magic E-Clutch system as standard.
- Weight Distribution: Unlike the 650cc models, the actuators have been moved to the left side to keep the bike perfectly balanced.
- The Chassis: It’s rocking a diamond frame, inverted forks (likely Showa), and a linked-type rear monoshock.
- Stopping Power: Dual-disc Nissin calipers up front—because 70 bhp still needs a short leash.
The “Heartbreak” Corner
If you’re reading this in India, take a deep breath. Despite the hype, this screaming four-cylinder is unlikely to hit Indian shores anytime soon. Honda skipped EICMA 2025 with this model, signaling it’s a “China-first” (and maybe China-only) special for now.
Quick Spec Comparison
| Feature | Honda CBR500R Four | CFMoto 500SR Voom |
| Engine | 502cc Inline-Four | 499cc Inline-Four |
| Power | 70.8 bhp | 77.8 bhp |
| Weight | 189 kg | 175 kg (Est. Dry) |
| Clutch | Honda E-Clutch | Slipper Clutch |
It’s a battle of the “Bonsai Screamers!” On one side, we have the legendary Kawasaki ZX-4RR, the current king of high-revving mini-multis. On the other, the new Honda CBR500R Four, which brings more displacement but a surprisingly different philosophy.
Here is how these two stack up in a head-to-head spec brawl:
The Tale of the Tape
| Feature | Honda CBR500R Four (2026) | Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR |
| Engine | 502 cc} Inline-Four | 399 cc Inline-Four |
| Max Power | 70.8 bhp | 77 – 80 bhp (with Ram Air) |
| Rev Limit | Moderate (Est. 12,000 rpm ) | Insane 16,000 rpm |
| Kerb Weight | 189 kg | 189 kg |
| Clutch Tech | Honda E-Clutch (Standard) | Quickshifter (Up/Down) |
| Frame | Steel Diamond | Trellis (High-Tensile Steel) |
| Front Brakes | Dual Nissin Calipers | Dual Radial Monoblocs |
Key Takeaways: Who Wins?
1. The Power Struggle
Despite having a 100cc advantage, the Honda actually produces less power (70.8 bh ) than the screaming Kawasaki (77 bhp). Why? Honda is likely tuning for a broader, more “usable” mid-range, whereas the Kawasaki is a pure, unadulterated track weapon that doesn’t wake up until you’re breaking the sound barrier.
2. Tech Over Torque
The real “X-factor” for the Honda is the E-Clutch. It allows you to start, stop, and shift without touching the clutch lever—perfect for city traffic—while still offering a manual lever for when you want to get aggressive. The Kawasaki counters with a race-spec Quickshifter and more sophisticated, fully adjustable suspension (Showa BFRC-lite).
3. Street vs. Track
- The Honda feels like a “Super Commuter”—refined, balanced, and easier to live with daily. It’s for the rider who wants the four-cylinder sound without the “race bike” ergonomics and temperamental power band.
- The Kawasaki remains the choice for the purists. It’s smaller, revs higher, and is built to hunt down 600cc bikes on a twisty circuit.
The Bottom Line: If you want a screaming symphony at every stoplight with modern “lazy” tech, the Honda is your bike. But if you want a miniature MotoGP bike that requires you to work for your speed, Team Green still holds the crown.
If the Honda is a “civilized” gentleman and the Kawasaki is a “track-day nerd,” the CFMoto 500SR Voom is the rebellious hipster that just stole the spotlight. While Honda was playing it safe, CFMoto went full “Neo-Retro” and packed in features that make the Big Four look a little lazy.
Here is why the 500SR Voom is currently the “Spec King” of the 500cc class:
The Spec Brawl
| Feature | Honda CBR500R Four | CFMoto 500SR Voom |
| Engine | 502 cc Inline-Four | 499 cc Inline-Four |
| Max Power | 70.8 bhp | 78 bhp |
| Top Speed | Est. 200 km/h | 220 km/h |
| Weight | 189 kg | 194 kg Wet |
| Redline | 12,000 rpm | 15,000 rpm |
| The “Cool” Factor | E-Clutch | Ram-Air Headlight Ducts |
Why the Voom is Winning (On Paper)
1. “Fake” Headlights, Real Speed
Those round “headlights” on the front? They aren’t just for looks. They are actually massive Ram-Air intakes. At high speeds, they force air into the engine, bumping the power from 78 bhp to a staggering 82 bhp. That officially makes it more powerful than even the high-strung Kawasaki ZX-4RR!
2. Retro-Futuristic Tech
CFMoto didn’t just give it a screen; they gave it a 5-inch curved TFT that shows:
- Real-time tire pressure and temperature (TPMS).
- Live power and torque curves as you ride.
- Turn-by-turn navigation and phone connectivity.
3. High-End Hardware
Unlike the Honda, which keeps things simple, the Voom comes standard with:
- Adjustable Steering Damper: To keep the front end stable when you’re pinned at 220 km/ hr .
- Fully Adjustable Suspension: 41mm USD forks where you can actually click the dials for preload and rebound.
- Under-seat Twin Exhausts: A glorious throwback to the 90s era of the Honda NR750 and Ducati 916.
The Big Question: Honda or CFMoto?
The Honda is the safe bet. You get the E-Clutch, bulletproof reliability, and better resale value. It’s the bike you buy with your head.
The CFMoto is the emotional bet. It sounds like a Formula 1 car (15K rpm f), looks like nothing else on the road, and offers more “bang for your buck.” It’s the bike you buy with your heart (and a slightly smaller wallet).
Bad news for our dreams, but great news for our bank accounts (because we can’t spend money on things that aren’t here).
While the global motorcycle scene is currently obsessed with these high-revving pocket rockets, the situation in India is a bit of a “Wait and… keep waiting” scenario.
Here is the 2026 reality check for the CFMoto 500SR Voom and the Kove 450RR:
CFMoto 500SR Voom: The “Ghost” of India
CFMoto has been teasing an Indian comeback for years. While they officially still have a presence here (selling the 300NK and 650 series), they are essentially in “stealth mode.”
- The Launch Rumor: There is zero official word on the 500SR Voom for India.
- The Focus: CFMoto’s current “re-entry” strategy for 2026 seems focused on the 450MT (Adventure) and the 450SR (Parallel Twin). These are the “safe” bets for the Indian market.
- The Verdict: The Voom is currently a China and Australia/Europe special. Unless a miracle happens at a late-year Indian auto show, don’t expect it in local showrooms this year.
Kove 450RR: The Dark Horse
Kove stole the show at EICMA 2025 (the big Milan bike show) with their 2026 range. They are the real deal—they actually race at Dakar and in World Supersport 300.
- The Indian Connection: Currently, Kove has no official distributor in India.
- The Specs: Their 443cc inline-four 70 bhp , 165 kg is a literal weapon, but without a dealer network, your only way to get one would be a private import—which would cost more than a liter-class bike after taxes.
- The Verdict: Pure “forbidden fruit.”
🇮🇳 Why aren’t they coming?
It’s a mix of two things: Tax and Trust.
- CBU Taxes: Since these wouldn’t be built here, 100% import duties would make a Rs 5 Lakh bike cost Rs 10 Lakhs. No one is paying that for a 450cc bike when they can buy a Kawasaki Z900.
- Service Anxiety: Indian riders are (rightfully) scared of buying a high-performance Chinese bike and not being able to find an oil filter six months later.
The “Consolation Prize”
If you’re itching for a 2026 screamer in India, your only real option remains the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR. It’s the only manufacturer brave enough to sell a 16,000 rpm toy to our market—at a premium price, of course.
Source
- Honda E-Clutch Tech (2026): Cycle World – Honda Adds E-Clutch to More Models
- CFMoto 500SR Voom Launch: CFMoto Global – 500SR Voom Official Page
- Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR India Pricing: BikeDekho – Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4R On-Road Price
- Comparison Analysis: Top Speed – Honda’s New Four vs Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4R
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