More details on the road going MotoGP bike surfaced today, during a Honda unveil in Catalunya, Spain. Built on a specific production line and on a limited run of one bike a day until the end of 2016, Honda has confirmed the price of the RC213V-S will be £137,000.
Honda will make the minimum neccasary changes from MotoGP to road going. The pneumatic valves as seen on the current race bikes have been changed to coil spring valves and seamless transmission is out, much like the spec is on the RCV1000R open class bikes we watch in MotoGP.
Also to comply with road rules, the exhaust has been changed. More steering angle has been added up eleven degrees from 15 to 26, along with a starter motor and a sidestand. In terms of electronics, the RC213V-S will have a power mode selector, torque control and engine break control. The bike will have five rider modes to choose from and a quick shifter. The electronic package is designed to appeal to multiple rider types in varying road conditions.
There is an optional sports kit, which unlocks the full power and speed that the race bikes have. It is expected that in full power mode, the RC213V-S will produce around 205bhp at the wheel. In standard trim, the bike will produce around 159bhp. Yes, you read that right, £137k for a road going MotoGP bike that produces less power than a Honda Fireblade. But a Fireblade doesn’t currently have the option of running at over 200bhp in track trim.
Honda wheeled out the big guns at the unveil, Marc Marquez who has had an opportunity to ride the bike said “It was nice to slide the bike I rode like I slide my MotoGP bike. I got my elbow down okay and mid corner the bike felt very similar to my race bike, despite being on road tyres. I don’t think there’s ever been a bike like this available for the road.”
Dani Pedrosa hasn’t had a chance to ride the bike yet, but seemed interested in it. “I’m really looking forward to riding this bike, you don’t expect to see a F1 car on the street, that’s what this is going to be like when you see one of these. I might go and ask if I can have one after this conference.”
| Model name | RC213V | RC213V-S | RC213V-S (with kit) | |
| Overall length (mm) | 2,052 | 2100 | ?2100? | |
| Overall width (mm) | 645 | 790 | 770 | |
| Overall height (mm) | 1,110 | 1120 | ?1120? | |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 1,435 | 1465 | ?1465? | |
| Minimum ground clearance (mm) | 115 | 120 | ?120? | |
| Seat height (mm) | – | 830 | ?830? | |
| Vehicle weight (kg) | Over 158 (after racing) | 170 (dry) | 160 (dry) | |
| Maximum number of riders | 1 person | 1 person | 1 person | |
| Minimum turning radius (m) | – | 3.7 | 6.4 | |
| Engine type | Liquid-cooled 4-stroke, DOHC 4-valve V4 | Liquid-cooled 4-stroke, DOHC 4-valve V4 | Liquid-cooled 4-stroke, DOHC 4-valve V4 | |
| Total displacement (cm3) | 999 | 999 | 999 | |
| Bore × Stroke (mm) | – | 81.0 × 48.5 | 81.0 × 48.5 | |
| Compression ratio | – | 13.0 | 13.0 | |
| Maximum output (kW[PS]/rpm) | Over 175kW | 117[159]/11000 | Over 158[215]/13000 | |
| Maximum torque (N?m[kgf?m]/rpm) | – | 102[10.4]/10500 | Over 118[12.1]/10500 | |
| Fuel supply | – | PGM-FI (Programmed fuel injection system) | PGM-FI (Programmed fuel injection system) | |
| Starter | – | Self | Self | |
| Ignition | – | Full transistor, battery ignition | Full transistor, battery ignition | |
| Fuel tank capacity (L) | 20 | 16.3 | 16.3 | |
| Clutch | – | Dry multi-plate, coil sring | Dry multi-plate, coil spring | |
| Transmission | – | Constant mesh, 6-speed return | Constant mesh, 6-speed return | |
| Transmission gear ratio | 1st | – | 2.125 | 2.125 |
| 2nd | – | 1.647 | 1.647 | |
| 3rd | – | 1.368 | 1.368 | |
| 4th | – | 1.217 | 1.217 | |
| 5th | – | 1.100 | 1.100 | |
| 6th | – | 1.032 | 1.032 | |
| Reduction gear ratio
(primary/secondary) |
– | 1.933/2.471 | 1.933/2.353~2.933 | |
| Caster angle (degrees) | – | 24.6 | ?24.6? | |
| Trail (mm) | – | 105 | ?105? | |
| Tire | Front | 16.5 | 120/70ZR17M/C | 120/70ZR17M/C |
| Rear | 16.5 | 190/55ZR17M/C | 190/55ZR17M/C | |
| Brake | Front | Hydraulic double disc | Hydraulic double disc | Hydraulic double disc |
| Rear | Hydraulic disc | Hydraulic disc | Hydraulic disc | |
| Suspension | Front | – | Telescopic | Telescopic |
| Rear | – | Pro-Link | Pro-Link | |
| Frame | Diamond | Diamond | Diamond | |
Expect a microsite from Honda specifically for this bike soon, if you put an order on one, drop us a line…
Words: @Johnatsuperbike