The sub 500cc fully-faired motorcycle segment is getting interesting in India, especially after the launch of the Yamaha R3 and the Aprilia RS 457. KTM is also updating the RC 390 soon with a more powerful engine seen in the new 390 Duke, while Kawasaki is gearing up to launch the new Ninja 500. However, there’s an elephant in the room, rather, one missing in the room — Honda.
Honda has been missing action in this space for a long time, and with most of the big manufacturers present in this segment, it only makes sense for Honda to launch the new CBR400R in India, which is on sale in Japan. Here’s all you need to know about Honda’s new sport bike.
Honda CBR400R: Platform and design
The new Honda CBR400R is built around a lightweight diamond frame, which Honda says gives the new CBR400R responsive handling, making it suitable for varied road conditions. On the design front, the CBR400R borrows inspiration from its larger litre-class sibling, the Fireblade, with its split headlight design.
The motorcycle features a full fairing with a side-slung exhaust, clip-on bars that are not too aggressive, a sculpted tank, and a sharp, minimal rear section, enhancing the motorcycle’s sporty appeal. The rider triangle is aggressive, but not as committed as the Fireblade.
Honda CBR400R: Equipment and features
The Honda CBR400R gets Showa USD forks up front, a separate pressurized monoshock at the rear, dual disc brakes at the front with radial callipers, a single disc at the rear, dual-channel ABS, and 17-inch alloy wheels amongst others.
On the features and electronics front, the CBR400R gets a 5-inch TFT display with smartphone connectivity, Honda Selectable Torque Control, immobilizer, Honda RoadSync connectivity, and an emergency stop signal.
When compared to its closest competitors, all of them sport a single disc brake at the front, however, the KTM RC390 gets a standard quickshifter, and cornering ABS, and the upcoming model will also get adjustable WP forks. The Yamaha, however, gets no electronic aids apart from dual-channel ABS, while the Aprilia gets adjustable forks, traction control, and ride modes.
Honda CBR400R: Engine specifications
On the performance front, the new CBR400R gets a 399cc parallel-twin liquid-cooled engine that makes 44.7bhp and 38Nm of torque, mated to a six-speed gearbox. In comparison, the Aprilia makes 46.9bhp, the upcoming Ninja 500 makes 45.4bhp, the Yamaha R3 makes 41.4bhp, and the soon-to-launch RC390 will get a 45.3bhp engine. That said, apart from the KTM, all other motorcycles use a twin-cylinder setup.
