It’s here, the new Honda RC213V-S production MotoGP bike … the ‘S’ signifying it’s for the street. Earlier today Honda released the bike to journalists in Catalunya, Spain, ahead of this weekend’s MotoGP (you can see video of that below).
As expected, we are not getting the MotoGP spec RC213V with lights and a horn, but noticeably absent are the trick pneumatic valves (the S gets standard steel springs) and the trick seamless transmission (insert regular cassette box). The S also comes with a considerably larger steering angle (you will need to turn around in parking lot after all), 17″ Marchesini wheels (up from the 16.5″ MotoGP wheels, which helps you get tires from your local dealer) and regular stainless steel brakes (no carbon for you).
All good so far, but perhaps the biggest shocker is the spec sheet, which claims a max power of only 156.8 hp at 11,000 rpm. To give you an idea, the $26,695 Ducati Panigale S claims 202 hp, albeit with an extra 200cc.
However, do not cry into your HRC mug just yet, there is a ‘closed course’ optional race kit available that pumps up that power figure to a very respectable 212 hp by bumping up the max revs to 13,000 . It also chops off 10 Kg from the standard claimed dry weight of 170 kg. Yay!
All good then, once you factor in the race kit, but don’t put the hanky away just yet as the bike will not actually be available in Canada (it is in the US, but oddly not with the race kit). And then there’s the price. Yes the RC213V-S will be hand-built in Japan. Yes there will be less than 300 made. Yes it does come with lots of carbon fibre, titanium conrods, Ohlins forks, adjustable footrests and controls, Brembo brakes, five ride modes, traction control, engine braking control and a quickshifter, but ….
It will cost US$184,000.
It also needs to be kept in a climate controlled space and can only be serviced by specially trained Honda technicians (which you are unlikely to find under the seat next to the tool roll).
If you’re still interested, then you’ll have to register on a special website in order to be considered as a RC213V-S customer (opens on July 13th). For that as well as more info, you can go here rc213v-s.com.
Technical Specs of RC213V Race Bike, RC213V-S Street Bike (with and without race kit):
| 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 spring | 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 | |
And here’s the video of the Catalunya release:
GALLERY
Check out all the pics that go with this story! Click on the main sized pic to transition to the next or just press play to show in a slideshow.
[…] bigwigs. It’s an intriguing idea, as for years, the buzz has been about Honda’s “street-legal MotoGP bike,” an experiment that left many disappointed. Despite the high prices in the Spirit […]
Honda is quietly confident that the people who ‘get it’, will appreciate how special it is. Its almost refreshing that the bike’s release is not a giant bag of hyperbole, as so many product launches are. Honda knows spec sheets and performance claims don’t mean much when a bone stock litre bike has such a huge performance ceiling already. That said, I won’t get it. But if I had 1/4 mill to blow, I would get it.
Why is it ‘special’, because it costs so much ?
“My mom says I’m special because I went to special school…”
[…] new RC213 V-S revealed this month does not reflect the old Honda spirit, but rather the tepid, fearful meanderings of a corporation […]
I agree, it does look nice, but with modern manufacturing, this bike should have been sold for $40K-$50K. Without pneumatic valves or seamless gearbox it’s not much more exotic than many current bikes.
Of course I do not get it. The only positive thing about this bike is it actually has nice lines, instead of the styling theme honda has had for about the last 10 years of what looks to me like some kind of grass cutter blade on the side fairing.
This bike reminds me of the dreamers trying to sell their Honda rc51s, rc45s or whatever they are for huge $. Has “anyone” actually paid the double or triple the asking price price of a comparable bike?
Sure this bike will sell to the rich that think it is rare, but I do not believe it is rare, 300 is a lot of bikes at this price point.