Honda confirmed that the revolutionary RC213V-S is to be sold as a premium 2016 model, with a limited number set to be made available to international customers. Every sports bike enthusiast has dreamt of climbing aboard a Moto GP™ machine and experiencing firsthand bikes’ exceptional engineering and performance.
But with rare exceptions, only top-echelon racers have had that opportunity—until now. With the RC213V-S, a fortunate few will have the chance to purchase what is essentially a pure Moto GP weapon, with only minimal changes for a street application.
Originally unveiled in prototype form at Italy’s EICMA show last November, the RC213V-S is based on the RC213V that Marc Marquez rode to the last two Moto GP world championships, and is closer to a Moto GP bike than any road-going model ever offered to the public.
“Ever since the modern four-stroke era of Moto GP began, fans have demanded a road-going version of Honda’s legendary RCV,” said Lee Edmunds, Manager of Motorcycle Marketing Communications at Honda. “With Honda’s dominance in recent years, that call has become unrelenting, so we’re excited to announce the RC213V-S.
This motorcycle reflects the same attention to detail and precision in assembly found on the factory machine. It’s an amazing bike that is sure to be a hit with a select group of international customers.”
In addition to confirming the prototype-derived RC213V-S, the announcement included news in the production-based realm of motocross bikes, with the updated 2016 CRF450R and CRF250R. The CRF150R returns for 2016 as well.
RC213V-S
Setting a new benchmark for performance in production road bikes, the groundbreaking RC213V-S was developed with close collaboration between Honda’s Motorcycle R&D Center and HRC and is painstakingly manufactured in an exclusive workshop in the Kumamoto factory, using premium materials and production methods that are atypical for production motorcycles.
Like the RC213V upon which it is based, the RC213V-S is powered by a compact 90º V4 999cc engine with titanium connecting rods and a sand-cast aluminum crankcase. Mass on the lightweight machine is highly centralized, and its race-derived features include an under-seat fuel tank and carbon-fiber-reinforced-plastic fairing. Among the components inherited directly from the race bike are the swing arm, slipper clutch, magnesium Marchesini wheels (17-inch size for the RC213V-S), pressurized Ohlin’s fork and adjustable footrests and foot controls, as well as most of the Brembo brake components. In recent years, Moto GP has ushered in huge advances in the area of electronic rider aids, and this is reflected in the RC213V-S, which boasts throttle-by-wire, selectable power modes, engine-brake control and traction control, with position-detection technology developed through Honda’s ASIMO project.
Among the components inherited directly from the race bike are the swing arm, slipper clutch, magnesium Marchesini wheels (17-inch size for the RC213V-S), pressurized Ohlin’s fork and adjustable footrests and foot controls, as well as most of the Brembo brake components.
In recent years, Moto GP has ushered in huge advances in the area of electronic rider aids, and this is reflected in the RC213V-S, which boasts throttle-by-wire, selectable power modes, engine-brake control and traction control, with position-detection technology developed through Honda’s ASIMO project.
