Local report! The new CB400 Super Fore comes in four colors, with white exclusive to Japan! Osaka Motorcycle Show

The CB400 SuperFour E-Clutch Concept made its debut at the Osaka Motorcycle Show 2026, which started on March 20, and is now the talk of the town. All four colors were displayed at the show, and there is a strong possibility that the production version will be like this as well!　In addition, we were able to try out the riding position and foot comfort, and interviewed the developer of the machine. Let us report from the enthusiastic venue!

⚫︎ Photo: Eiji Ishimura / Editorial Department

In addition to the same three colors as the Chinese version of the 500, the white color is familiar to Japanese consumers!

The CB400 SuperFour was regrettably discontinued in 2022. Last year, however, the new "CB500 SuperFore" was unveiled at a show in China, and its domestic version, the CB400SF concept vehicle, made its world premiere at the Osaka MC Show. *First report is here! This article is a follow-up report from the local venue. The Honda booth was packed with spectators right after the unveiling, making it difficult to get in. The area around the vehicles was filled with excitement. The CB500S was displayed in a total of four colors: silver, red, matte black, and white. All but the white model were the same as the Chinese version of the CB500SF, but the white model was the 400, a color exclusive to Japan, and made its debut at the Osaka MC show. This color is not the standard two-tone white and red of the CB1000/1300SF or the former CB400SF, but it is a combination reminiscent of them. Both body colors share a two-color line running from the tank to the seat cowl and the letters SF (SUPER FOUR) in front of the seat.

White was unveiled for the first time in the world as a color exclusive to Japan. The "Spencer color" is similar to the red line.

The white color stands out for its sportiness. The "SF" graphic on the rear of the tank is black.

The red color is vibrant, similar to the candy chromosphere red of the old CB400SF.

In contrast to the body colors, the lines are black and gray, tightening the body.

The matte black is adorned with a bright blue stripe.

The color is a unique and innovative color that has never been seen on the CB400SF until now. The crowd around the vehicle was huge, and everyone was staring at it like they were staring into the eyes of the spectators.

The "Spencer color," as it is known, is a silver body color with two colored lines; it is more metallic and glaring than the Wolf Silver Metallic of the CB1000F!

The graphics of all colors are based on the so-called "Spencer color" motif. The new CB400SF also has a silver and blue line body color, which is a reproduction of the glorious color of the 1982 AMA Daytona 100-mile race won by Freddie Spencer. Originally the factory color for the North American version of the CB750F, it was later extended to the 900F. Since then, it has been used on successive generations of the CB series and has become the brand's signature coloring. Recently, it has also been used on its older brother, the CB1000F, which was introduced in 2025. Other body colors are also constructed with the same design as this silver and blue line Spencer color. The color of the line is different for each body color, with the combination matching the main color. It can be said that the Spencer color appeals to tradition while also expressing a modern new look.

As easy to start as a 250!　Slim chassis and excellent footing!

We were fortunate enough to be able to see and touch a real car at the show. The local staff's impressions of the bike are summarized as follows: "It is very light to handle and has excellent footing. First of all, it is light to lift from the side stand. 250 is a bit of an exaggeration, but it is 10-20% lighter than the image of a typical 400 or old CB400SF. The footing is also very good, and at 170 cm in height, the rider's feet touch the ground all the way down to the kakato. The tank and seat are narrowed in the area where you lower your foot, and there is no overhang, so you can lower your foot right down.

It is very light to handle from the trigger and is noticeably easier than a regular 400.

The ride position is quite natural. The upper body is gently tilted forward, and the step position is moderately rearward. It is a position that can be used for anything.

A 170cm tall and 70kg rider can get both feet on the ground. This good footing is not due to the low seat height, but rather to the slimness of the inner thigh area. The steps do not interfere with the footing.

[developer interview

Interview with the developer: Emphasizing the lightness of the body rather than numerical values

We were also able to talk to the developer who was on hand at the event.

On the right in the photo is Takuro Nakamura, who served as the Large Project Leader (LPL) for the CB400SF/CBR400R Fore (Honda Motorcycle & Power Products Division, Complete Vehicle Development Department). On the left is Asuka Ito, who was in charge of the E-Clutch for the CBR400R E-Clutch Concept (Product Development Department of the same company).

We first spoke with Mr. Nakamura of LPL. --I asked Mr. Nakamura of LPL, "The E-Clutch is very light to handle, but have you achieved a "double-digit" weight reduction? That's about what you can expect. --Is the completely new design a major factor? Yes, the old engine was designed a long time ago, so I think it is significant that it has evolved that much. --I feel that the emphasis was placed not only on the actual lightness of the engine, but also on the feeling of lightness when it is triggered. We were especially conscious of this. Even if the actual number is reduced, it is meaningless if it feels heavy when triggered. For entry-level riders, the first step is to feel "I can do this" or "I can ride this" when they pull it up, so we were very particular about that. That's the first step. --How exactly did you make it feel light? The newly designed engine and frame. We also worked out the details of each part. Specifically, the rear monosuspension is one example. We started this project to create a standard straight-4 naked vehicle. Traditionally, the rear had twin shocks, but now link-type monosuspension is the norm. I think such an approach resulted in weight reduction. --You are conscious of the lightness of the vehicle? Yes, we did. This is the realm of merchantability, but the lightness you feel is particularly related to the low center of gravity. It is important to keep the center of gravity low to the ground when the vehicle is in motion. This of course leads to good athletic performance, and that's what we focused on. --The seat height is of course important, but it is also important to have a low center of gravity. The height of the seat is of course important, but we also tried to minimize the overhang of the side covers under the seat. The newly designed frame made the width of the seat rails much narrower, and the side covers were also inserted into the frame, which softened the way the inner thighs hit the seat and improved the footing. The new frame made it possible to improve the footing.However, there are internal components in the frame, such as the battery, so we all had to work hard to keep them in place.

The white color was designed with Japanese users in mind, and the running style was "Super Fore" after all!

--I think it is quite revolutionary to have an all-new model in the 400cc class these days. Was this possible because of the 500 version? Of course, the 500 was a major factor in making this possible. In part because of the number of units, and in part because we were able to share a lot of parts, but to be honest, it was the 500 and 400 that made it possible. --In China, you announced the product in September of last year. I heard it was quite good. We have held exhibitions in various places, and we have heard favorable feedback. --What was the purpose of offering white as the exclusive color for Japan? While proposing various colors, we discussed with Honda Motorcycle Japan (HMJ) what Japanese users were looking for. As a result, we decided on white.

The traditional white and red color was set on the old CB400SF. These colors are familiar to Japanese riders, and the new model is reminiscent of this. The photo shows the 2018 model.

--What do you imagine when you actually ride it? I think the basic characteristics of the new model will make you feel that it is a "Super Fore" after all. In addition to the lightness, we also focused on low friction of the engine, so the overall performance of the engine has evolved in terms of good lift and pickup. I actually rode it and felt that the good balance that the old CB400SF had has been improved by one step.Also, the throttle-by-wire system has been installed this time to allow the rider to select the riding mode, and the rider can experience the feeling of sudden acceleration from the middle of the ride, just like the old VTEC. --Is that the flavor of the throttle-by-wire system? Yes. The grip opening and butterfly opening can be set freely, and can be changed depending on the rpm, so it is similar to what the old VTEC was aiming for. There are three driving modes: standard, sport, and urban. The sport mode, in particular, allows you to feel the upper extension. The Urban mode has mild characteristics even when opened roughly, so it is useful when you are tired from a winding road and want to slow down on a congested road to get home.

The more advanced E clutch, downshifting is especially pleasant!

Next, we interviewed Mr. Ito, who is in charge of the E-Clutch. Mr. Ito was in charge of the E-Clutch for the two-cylinder CBR400R E-Clutch Concept exhibited at the show, and although he is not in charge of the CB400SF/CBR400R Fore E-Clutch Concept, he is familiar with the details as the same E-Clutch development department.

The engine of the CB400SF concept was designed with the E-clutch as a prerequisite; the E-clutch is similar to the existing system, but its overhang is reduced to the same level as the generator cover.

--Throttle-by-wire is equipped this time, which will be the second generation of coordinated control of the E-clutch, is it quite different from the conventional combination with a mechanical throttle? Yes, with the choice of riding modes, the ease of handling, especially in starting, can now be more finely coordinated. For example, in Urban, you can start a little slower, and in Sport, you can engage the clutch earlier.Auto-blipping is also available. The four-cylinder is actually very smooth, so the revs are perfectly matched and you can shift gears with ease.Throttle-by-wire is not really relevant, but the clutch can be controlled to release the driving force in situations where the rear end is hopping or snaking when decelerating suddenly. We are evolving little by little so that you can enjoy sport riding with more peace of mind. --Isn't the clutch used to release the back torque with a mechanical throttle until now? No, that control is not included. The idea has been around for a long time, but we were finally able to apply it this time. --Is the E-clutch system the same as before? Yes, it is. In the future, if the number of E-clutches expands and costs increase, I think it will be possible to embed the clutch inside the engine. --Thank you very much! The E-clutch seems to be able to control more precisely. We can't wait for the day when we can actually drive the new CB400SF! To the gallery (13)