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Honda files patents for new V4 engine

Expect to see a V4-powered motorcycle from Honda in the not-too-distant future.

EJ Punsalang EJ Punsalang on Dec 15, 2025
Honda files patents for new V4 engine

Honda has been quietly filing patents that suggest something big is brewing, and the latest batch disclosed in late 2025 is easily the most revealing yet. These documents don’t tease a styling feature or a minor update. They outline the bones of an all-new V4 engine, complete with detailed solutions aimed at fixing the exact pain points of Honda’s previous V4 efforts.

Instead of chasing headline horsepower, the focus here is efficiency, compactness, and smarter packaging. One patent centers on a redesigned lubrication system that reduces internal friction by routing oil through shorter internal passages inside the engine cases. Small internal reservoirs feed components like the alternator, starter clutch, water pump, and clutch. Fewer external lines mean better efficiency and a more tightly packaged engine, both crucial under modern emissions constraints.

Honda also rethinks how the cylinder head bolts to the crankcase. The patent illustrations use an inline twin engine, essentially half of a V4, which strongly hints at a modular design strategy. By simplifying how major components are machined and assembled, Honda can cut weight, reduce production complexity, and improve consistency without sacrificing strength.

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Honda V4 Engine

Cooling gets equal attention. Honda routes coolant through pipes positioned in the V between the cylinder banks, prioritizing the rear cylinders that typically run hotter. Better thermal management allows tighter tolerances and improves durability, especially during sustained high-load riding.

The biggest question is firing order. Honda’s last 1200cc 73.2cu in V4 used a 76 degree cylinder angle and offset crankpins for a big bang firing order that eliminated the need for a balance shaft. Older V4s like the 750cc 45.8cu in and 800cc 48.8cu in engines used a 90 degree layout with a screamer-style firing order and relied on a balance shaft.

The new patents point toward the latter. A balance shaft is clearly shown, piston spacing appears even, and the cylinder angle looks closer to 90 degrees. That suggests smoother power delivery and a different character from Ducati’s or Aprilia’s V4s.

One thing is clear. This engine is designed for chain drive, not a shaft. That alone hints at a more performance-focused application rather than a traditional sport tourer. There’s no timeline yet, but these patents don’t feel theoretical. Honda looks like it’s getting serious about bringing the V4 back.

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