– Likely to produce around 80bhp
– Features a chain-driven DOHC layout
Last year, CFMoto revealed camouflaged prototypes of two new sportbikes – the 675RR and the 500SR. While the company revealed more details of the 675RR, the 500SR remained a mystery. However, new patent filings offer a first look inside the 500SR’s four-cylinder engine.
According to the leaked patent drawings, the engine’s design looks all-new and entirely CFMoto’s own. It features a chain-driven DOHC layout with four valves per cylinder and coil-on-plug ignition. Notably, the chain for the camshafts is positioned on one end of the crankshaft for a unique configuration.
The engine is paired with a conventional six-speed gearbox and a wet sump. While the output figures aren’t known yet, it is expected to slot between the 675RR and the 450SR. So, it’s safe to expect a maximum output of close to 80bhp. This should put it in the same ballpark as the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR, which pumps out 76bhp.
The launch of the CFMoto 500SR could signify the potential comeback of small-capacity, four-cylinder motorcycles. What once used to be a highly aspirational class of motorcycles, this segment faced a huge decline due to stricter emission norms and the cost-effectiveness of parallel-twin engines. CFMoto’s entry could pave the way for other OEMs to revive this segment actively.
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