Honda Is Resurrecting Its Legendary V4 Engine: Are We Getting a New Superbike?

Honda’s been on a quiet tech streak lately, and its latest patent disclosures make that hard to ignore. Newly revealed filings from late 2025 point to a fresh V4 engine in development, and this time the level of detail suggests Honda isn’t just exploring ideas. It’s solving problems.

The big theme running through these patents is simplification. Not in the sense of dumbing things down, but in making the V4 easier to package, lighter to build, and more efficient to run. Honda’s clearly learned from its last 1,200cc V4 engine, which was impressive but undeniably heavy and complex.

A story from the folks over at Motorrad Online goes deep into the details, and it's clear to see that one of the biggest changes is the lubrication system. Honda redesigned the oil circuit to reduce internal friction in the oil pump, using shorter internal passages that run directly through the engine cases. Small internal reservoirs feed key components like the stator, starter motor, water pump, and clutch. Cutting down on external oil lines improves efficiency and makes the whole engine easier to package. 

Another patent focuses on how the cylinder head bolts to the crankcase. Honda illustrates this using an inline twin engine, essentially half of a V4. That’s a strong hint at a modular design approach aimed at simplifying machining and assembly. Less overbuilt structure usually translates to lower weight and more consistent production quality.

Cooling also gets a serious rethink. Honda routes coolant through pipes positioned in the V between the cylinder banks, prioritizing the rear cylinders, which tend to run hotter. Better thermal control allows tighter tolerances and improved durability under sustained load, especially on performance-oriented bikes.

The big unknown is firing order, but the patents offer clues. Honda’s last 1,200cc V4 used a 76 degree cylinder angle and offset crankpins to create a big bang firing order that didn’t need a balance shaft. Earlier V4s like the 750cc and 800cc engines used a 90 degree layout and relied on a balance shaft.

The new patents point toward that older configuration. A balance shaft is clearly shown, the pistons appear evenly spaced, and the cylinder angle looks closer to 90 degrees. That suggests smoother operation and a different feel compared to Ducati’s big bang V4 or Aprilia’s tighter-angle design. It won’t just sound different. It’ll deliver power in a more linear, predictable way.

One detail leaves no room for interpretation. The patents show a chain-driven rear wheel with no provision for a shaft drive. That likely rules out a traditional VFR-style sport tourer and hints at something more performance-focused. 

All these developments point to Honda figuring out how to make the V4 relevant again in a world of tighter emissions rules and rising costs. If this engine reaches production, it won’t just be about peak horsepower or spec sheet bragging rights. It’ll be about bringing back mechanical character and engineering-driven identity at a time when a lot of modern bikes are starting to feel interchangeable.

As of this writing, there’s still no official timeline, and a production model is likely still a few years away. Even so, the depth of detail suggests this is more than paperwork. Honda looks like it’s genuinely preparing for a V4 comeback.