They’ve got eight riders’ titles in the MotoGP era alone
Rossi was the first to win on the RC211V
© Grazia Neri/Getty Images
The factory HRC team could boast Mick Doohan‘s five consecutive titles from 1994–8 and then Alex Criville‘s in 1999, but by the time we entered the MotoGP era in 2002, Valentino Rossi had arrived on the scene. Rounding out the 500cc era with his maiden premier-class title in 2001, Rossi destroyed the 2002 field on the new 990cc Honda RC211V with eight wins in the first nine grands prix and 11 in total, then retained his title for Honda in 2003.
Hayden got the title with the last RC211V
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The late, great Nicky Hayden won for Honda in 2006, but it was only in 2011 that the team once again had a world champion, Casey Stoner.
The Repsol Honda Team got back to the top with Stoner
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Did we mention Marc Marquez‘s four MotoGP titles for Repsol Honda? He’s won four of the past five available.
His debut broke all records and the Spaniard became the youngest rider ever to win the title in the MotoGP class. The next season he was crowned champion again after winning 13 races, beating Doohan’s previous record of 12 in a season. Márquez’s defense of the title in 2014 was something the Japanese manufacturer hadn’t been able to do since Valentino Rossi’s last Honda title.
Marquez took his third title with three races remaining, but it wasn’t an easy year for Honda and HRC. The control ECU (with the same electronics for everyone) and the switch from Bridgestone to Michelin tires were a huge challenge for the RC213V.
Marquez and the Honda RC213V have no rivals
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In 2017, Marquez won again while Honda celebrated 50 years in the Motorcycle World Championship premier class.
The RC213V 2018 is Honda’s latest challenger
Marc Marquez and team-mate Dani Pedrosa will be riding the new and improved RC213V 2018.
See the video below for all you need to know about their new ride and then read on for the technical specs.
Oh no! This video is currently not available.
For 2018 the chassis has been modified again in its rigidity balance but retains the twin-spar aluminum chassis. The 1,000cc V4 engine delivers more than 240bhp (180kw) to the rear tyre, and the team have seven engines for each bike across the 18-race season.
Honda RC213V 2018
©Team Honda Repsol
For 2018 the RC213V is fitted with Ohlins suspension front and rear, with a dedicated Ohlins technician assigned to each rider to ensure the bike is set up perfectly at every race.
Marc Marquez’s RC213V 2018
©Team Honda Repsol
Front brakes are carbon-fibre and provided by Brembo, with Yutaka steel discs front and rear for wet conditions. Michelin are sole tire providers for MotoGP and each rider’s permitted to use a maximum of 22 slick tires and 11 wet tires during each grand prix weekend.
The 2018 RC213V has a modified fairing to achieve the maximum compatibility and performance between handling and drag.
The tests have confirmed that the Hondas RC213V are ready for the fight
© Team Repsol Honda
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Overall length: 2.052mm
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Overall width: 645mm
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Overall height: 1,110mm
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wheelbase: 1,435mm
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weight (kg) As per FIM regulations
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engine type: Liquid-cooled, four-stroke, DOHC 4-valve V4
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Displacement: 1,000cc
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Maximum power Over 180kw
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frames type Aluminum twin tube
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Wheels (front): 17in
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Wheels (rear): 17in
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suspension (front): Telescopic fork
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Suspension (rear): Pro link
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Fuel tank capacity: 22 litres