The reason Honda has developed a 400cc parallel-twin engine is for the same reasons KTM, Triumph, BMW, Kawasaki and a lot more manufacturers have or are developing sub-400cc motorcycles.
In the world you have enough countries where you have benefits if you ride a motorcycle below 400cc, probably the biggest market is Japan where a Kawasaki Ninja 400R cost a good amount less than a 650cc would cost (the Kawasaki Ninja 400R is also build in Thailand).
Also in Singapore you can ride a motorcycle from 201cc to 400cc with a Class 2A driving license.
A Class 2A driving license is much easier than a Class 2 license...
Quote by: LeeAlso in Singapore you can ride a motorcycle from 201cc to 400cc with a Class 2A driving license.
A Class 2A driving license is much easier than a Class 2 license...
It's very likely that Honda will introduce the CBR400R, CB400F and CB400X based on this new parallel-twin 400cc engine for selected markets.
I sometimes regret not buying a Ducati 400 Monster (yellow) that was for sale when Ducati were still on Lad Prao 107 . I think it would be the perfect bike for Bangkok.
Yes i agree with all the above, but in Thailand there is no advantage so i dont see why Honda would release the 400cc version here when they allready have the 500cc version. They would only be competing against themselves for sales.
Quote by: MattyYes i agree with all the above, but in Thailand there is no advantage so i dont see why Honda would release the 400cc version here when they allready have the 500cc version. They would only be competing against themselves for sales.
I agree, I also could not really understand why Honda show of the new 400cc parallel-twin, without answering any questions about for what motorcycle the engine would be used.
Of course the press people attending the meeting quickly formed their own opinion, CBR400R, CB400F and CB400X, but this is not confirmed by any Honda person.
Personal, I also would think that introducing a CBR400R in Thailand will undermine the market for the CBR500R (which is actually only 71cc more). Also the new 400cc parallel-twin engine is more aggressive as it has a much shorter stroke (on paper a sign for a much higher revving engine).
We also know that Honda Thailand is still working on a 670cc parallel-twin engine, which we had the idea that it would be the new engine for what we now know as the CBR500R. Currently we know that the new liquid-cooled 670cc parallel-twin is for the Honda CTX700 series which will also be produced in Thailand.
Honda is like a classic magician, they show you something right in front of you while doing something behind your back which they not want you to see... Therefore we just said Honda announced a new 400cc parallel-twin engine.... We have no knowledge what they going to do with it...
just look at it, what is missing in Hondas line up? something in between the CBR250 and the CBR500 or a cruiser?
Why? I dont get it. There is no tax advantages having 400cc over 500cc
Just buy the 500cc,