Chinese motorcycle manufacturer CFMoto is apparently developing a V-4 engine. Presently, the company only has single and twin-cylinder motorcycles in its product lineup. But that may be about to change.
In June 2022, CFMoto submitted a patent application to Chinese authorities for a new motorcycle. The application, #CN217632645U was later granted on October 21, 2022.
V-4 engine
But what makes this patent application different from CFMoto’s other applications is the fact that this one pertains to a V-4-powered motorcycle. The application gets right to the point, saying:
“…the utility model aims to provide a motorcycle with a V-4 engine.”
Well, then, it’s pretty clear that CFMoto is interested in building a motorcycle with a V4 engine. That, along with the fact that the application shows a motorcycle and various detailed views of the V4 powerplant.
CFMoto’s SR-C21 concept bike. Could this bike be getting a V-4? Image: CFMoto
Patent is for engine’s cooling system
In actuality, the patent application concerns the engine’s cooling system. Apparently, the manufacturer believes that it has developed a system that will better cool a V4 engine’s cylinders. And it appears the engine will not be a slouch in the power department. The application mentions that the cooling system is meant to keep a 150kw (201 hp) engine cool. You can read the complete patent application here if you have an engineering background and want to know all the details.
This design drawing from CFMoto’s patent application looks suspiciously similar to their SR-C21 concept bike. Image: CFMoto
More V-4 details
German website Motorrad also is running a story on the bike and has more alleged details than we could find in the application. They say the engine uses a short-stroke and a valve train with short cam followers designed for high speeds.
A drawing of CFMoto’s V-4 engine from its patent application. Image: CFMoto
Whatever the details, the application does seem to validate that CFMoto is looking to build larger displacement superbike motorcycles in the future.
When, if ever, the engine and the bike will make it to market is unknown. But the fact that CFMoto has filed a patent application for the engine’s cooling system says the company is at least serious about the engine.
