Small capacity 4cyl bikes?

[TheInternet]

The CB500 Super Four announcement got me wondering if there have been any other <600cc four-cyl bikes in recent times?

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/2025/september...

I'm guessing they've all been emissioned off and also pointless in the A2 age, and doubt we'll see that Honda here.

[John D.]

Kawasaki did a Ninja 400 a couple of years ago. Cool bike.

[Master Bean]

They sell the Kawasaki ZX-25RR but only in the South East Asia markets.

[Birky_41]

Master Bean said:

They sell the Kawasaki ZX-25RR but only in the South East Asia markets.

Yeah this...

No interest in Europe so it seems

[NDA]

There's supposed to be a Z400RS coming out next year....

[littleredrooster]

In the early or mid-90s I had a go on a GSXR250 import.

Astonishing thing to ride, but, as I best remember, redline at 18,000+ and no torque below about 9000.

[Marquezs Stabilisers]

Think the Kove 400 sportsbike is a 4 cylinder

[itcaptainslow]

TheInternet said:

I'm guessing they've all been emissioned off and also pointless in the A2 age, and doubt we'll see that Honda here.

Shame if so, as the smaller capacity, simple stuff (e.g. Royal Enfield Interceptor) seems to do well. I’d certainly take a good look at one - I really like the CB1000 but feel it’d be overkill for what I want. This would be ideal.

[Spydaman]

Benelli did a 4 cylinder 250 in the late 70’s.

[PeterGadsby]

Kawasaki do a Ninja ZX4-RR (I have one) and it is a lot of fun.

- Pete

[srob]

I think part of the issue is that everyone associates small capacity bikes with being cheap bikes. Making a four cylinder engine does actually just cost you more than making a single or twin, there's no way round it.

A multi cylinder bike will give more power but most people prefer to just buy a bigger bike.

Back in the 90s there were various licencing reasons around the world that seemed to make it worthwhile. I remember being in Australia in the early 2000s and there was loads of cool 250s (ZXR, GSXR, CBR - all inline fours) as they could ride them on some kind of learners licence. There were a few grey import 250 fours kicking about round here but generally the 250 two-strokes were seen to be more on a par with 400 four strokes (which is how they paired them for club racing) so probably less popular as 400s were readily available.

[Bob_Defly]

ZX4RR fits the bill, revs like a mutha too.

[Texpis]

Just bought a Honda CB 400 1994 grey import lovely condition haven’t road it yet.

[PeterGadsby]

This is my ZX4-RR

[PeterGadsby]

This was before I picked her up

[Pica-Pica]

Spydaman said:

Benelli did a 4 cylinder 250 in the late 70 s.

Wasn't that a 6 cylinder?
I remember it was too the Honda racing bike that was a 6 cylinder 250

Edited by Pica-Pica on Sunday 30th November 18:17

[iguana]

srob said:

. I remember being in Australia in the early 2000s and there was loads of cool 250s (ZXR, GSXR, CBR - all inline fours) as they could ride them on some kind of learners licence.

Yip I was over there then. The sound & pace didn't quite match when you'd see them pull away from lights tho!

High revving things too for regular road bikes.

[iguana]

I've had a Honda VFR 400 & an RVF 400. Beautiful smooth revvy engines.

[srob]

Pica-Pica said:

Spydaman said:

Benelli did a 4 cylinder 250 in the late 70 s.

Wasn't that a 6 cylinder?
I remember it was too the Honda racing bike that was a 6 cylinder 250

Edited by Pica-Pica on Sunday 30th November 18:17

The six was bigger; they did a 750 and a 900. The 254cc four was unusual when Benelli did it, can’t think of anyone else doing a 250/4 in the late 70s, early 80s

[outnumbered]

Texpis said:

Just bought a Honda CB 400 1994 grey import lovely condition haven t road it yet.

I did my DAS on one of those in 1999.