The Fascinating Story of Honda’s NR500, the Oval-Piston Engine Built to Beat Two-Strokes

Honda’s NR500 was one of the boldest engineering experiments in motorcycle racing history. Built to challenge dominant two-stroke machines, it featured revolutionary oval pistons, eight valves per cylinder, and an incredibly high-revving four-stroke engine. Discover how Honda’s relentless ambition created a technical masterpiece that struggled on the track but influenced performance motorcycles for decades.