Honda CBR400R and CB400 Super Four E-Clutch Launched Starting August

JAKARTA - Japanese Honda has confirmed that the CB400 Super Four E-Clutch and CBR400R Four E-Clutch will soon enter production lines. Both motorcycles use a 399 cc four-cylinder engine and electronic clutch technology that allows riders to stop and start without pulling the clutch lever.

MotorCycleNews or MCN quoted Friday, July 17, said the CB400 Super Four will be available at a number of Honda Dream dealers in Japan starting August 21. The CBR400R is expected to follow on September 18.

It is not yet certain whether the two models will be marketed in the UK or other European countries. A Honda spokesman said the company could not comment on the possibility of adding new models to its product line in Europe.

British consumer interest in small-capacity four-cylinder motorcycles is on the rise. Kawasaki ZX-4RR has been marketed in that class, while QJMotor SRK421RR is also scheduled to arrive.

The two Honda motorcycles were previously shown in prototype form in early spring. The CB400 Super Four will be sold for around 998,800 yen, while the CBR400R is priced at around 1,199,000 yen.

Both use a liquid-cooled 399 cc inline four-cylinder DOHC engine. The engine is mounted on a diamond-shaped steel frame and combined with a six-speed transmission.

Electronic gas systems, or ride-by-wire, transmit the gas grip via sensors, not the usual mechanical cable.

Honda also embeds E-Clutch. This technology allows riders to start a trip, change gears, and stop without having to operate the clutch lever. The lever can still be used manually.

The system is expected to target young drivers and users who are not accustomed to operating a manual clutch.

Both models are equipped with a 5-inch TFT color screen and four driving modes. The seat height is 780 millimeters, with a weight claimed to be 187 kilograms.

The CBR400R's handlebar position is not made too low. The footrest is also placed relatively low so that the riding position is not too bent for everyday use.

Honda claims the maximum power of both motorcycles reaches 57.2 bhp at 11,500 rpm. The peak torque is 28 lb-ft or about 38 Nm at 9,750 rpm.

The engine is not designed to be as extreme as a small Japanese four-cylinder bike in the 1990s that relied on very high revs. However, riders still need to raise the engine revs to get the best performance.

In the UK, the CBR400R will enter a class that is already filled with the two-cylinder CBR500R. The model is popular for holders of motorcycle licenses in the A2 category in the UK and Europe.

Honda has also sold the four-cylinder CBR650R with 93.9 bhp. The bike is available with an E-Clutch option and is priced at 8,899 pounds sterling.

The CB400 Super Four comes with a retro style and an upright riding position. This model can fill a class below the CB1000F which has a similar design and is scheduled to arrive in 2026.

The CB1000F uses the 2017 Honda Fireblade superbike engine which has been downgraded.

The tank capacity of the CB400 Super Four reaches 15 liters, one liter larger than the CBR400R.

Both motorcycles use an upside-down front suspension, one shock absorber in the back, and two-sided swing arms. The front brakes use two Nissin radial calipers.

Honda also provides a USB-C port near the instrument panel. The front and rear wheels are 17 inches in size, with 120-size front tires and 160-rear tires.

The CBR400R is available in Beta Silver Metallic and Matte Ballistic Black Metallic options. Meanwhile, the CB400 Super Four offers the Wolf Silver Metallic color which combines a silver base with light blue and dark blue lines.

The pattern is inspired by the Honda CB750F that Freddie Spencer once rode in the United States in the 1980s. A similar design is also used on the CB1000F.