The Metropolitan Highway Motorcycle Corps, which is tasked with emergency dispatch to the Yamate Tunnel of the Metropolitan Expressway, is familiar to the public as the Yellow Bikes with their yellow-painted CB400 Superbordor (SB). This is expected to change its vehicle with the end of CB400SB production.
Photo: Metropolitan Expresswa／BMW MOTORRAD
The training vehicle is a 400X, and the Metropolitan Motorcycle Corps is electric!
The CB400 Super Fordor and CB400 Super Boldor, which will be discontinued in October 2022, are models that have been loved for 30 years and have been particularly regretted. Because of their ease of handling, they were also popular as training vehicles, so the aftermath of their discontinuation is spreading not only to general riders but also to various other fields.
As an unexpected aftermath, the vehicles of the Metropolitan Expressway Motorcycle Corps are also expected to be affected. The compact and easy-to-handle CB400SB is deployed as the emergency dispatch vehicle for the Yamate Tunnel, and many riders must have seen the yellow-painted, commonly known as yellow bikes, on the Metropolitan Expressway.
This yellow motorcycle is likely to be replaced by BMW's EV, the C Evolution. The C Evolution was delivered to the Metropolitan Police Department as a motorcycle in 2020. The C Evolution is also likely to meet the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's policy of making motorcycles carbon-neutral by 2035.
In addition to its display at the Tokyo Motorcycle Show, the C Evo motorcycle has been leading the Hakone Ekiden relay race, and if adopted by the Metropolitan Highway Motorcycle Corps, it will have an even stronger presence. The timing of its introduction is unknown, but there may be an opportunity to see the actual vehicle in 2024. It will be worth checking out when driving on the Metropolitan Expressway!
C evolution [forecast CG] Electric scooter launched in 2017. Based on the Metropolitan Police Department's white motorcycle, I changed the color to the yellow of the motorcycle squad and it stands out quite well. It has a futuristic look and looks good on the Metropolitan Highway.
This is a police motorcycle specification. It can be ridden with a standard motorcycle license, making it a suitable alternative to the CB400SB. With a cruising range of 160 km, it can run about 100 km in actual use, making it suitable for duty.
C evolution [BMW] Currently in the CE 04 generation, but it is believed to have been selected based on its track record as a white motorcycle. The CB400SB yellow motorcycle was also selected because of the CB1300's adoption as a white motorcycle.
CB400SB [Metropolitan Expressway] The yellow motorcycle of the Metropolitan Expressway Motorcycle Corps. Its adoption was first considered around 2003, and it was deployed in time for the opening of the Yamanote Tunnel in 2007. It features the same yellow color as expressway work vehicles.
The The handlebars are higher than STD and the mirrors have been changed to handlebar mounts.
Radios, loudspeakers, transceivers, and cell phones are controlled by the left switch via Bluetooth connection.
The indicator is up-mounted as rotating lights are installed on the cowl side.
The yellow bi-pannier case holds flares, induction lights, etc.
The motorcycle will have a loudspeaker only in the front, but also in the rear for guidance.
Will the training vehicle for a standard motorcycle license be a 400X?
The most affected by the discontinuation of the CB400 series are learner's cars, and since there was no choice, the development of a new learner's car is urgently needed. According to information obtained by the editorial department, the 400X is likely to be chosen as the base for the new training vehicle, which is expected to be released in or after the spring of 2024.
The CB400SF will be changed from a naked sport to an adventure model, and the maneuverability of the front 19-inch wheels may stabilize the single bridge.
Also, the seat height, which is 800 mm on the 400X, would be lowered for the learner's car version. In 2024, a generational shift from the CB400 is likely to be underway in various fields.
400X Driving-Car Specifications [CG] The liquid-cooled, parallel twin-cylinder engine is easy to handle, making it suitable for a riding-motorcycle. The overall height is about 30 cm taller than that of the CB400 learner's car, which is due to the large screen and 19-inch wheels.
CB400 Super Four Instructional Vehicle Specifications [HONDA] Released in December 2017 in compliance with the 2016 emission regulations. Details differ, such as the seat height being set at 750mm, 5mm lower than the STD, and bumpers being equipped.