Motorcycle specifications HondaRC 213 V-S 2015 Marquez's MotoGP on the road

Here, at last, is Honda's MotoGP road bike. Like Ducati with its Desmosedici RR, the Japanese manufacturer has decided to transpose its prototype into a (very small) production bike. The RC 213 V-S, as it is commonly known, becomes Honda's new ultimate sports bike. A road-homologated version of Marquez and Pedrosa's machine, it is designed to offer all the technology of MotoGP to an elitist and passionate clientele.

The RC 213 V has undergone a number of modifications for the joy of riding on open roads. It starts with the indispensable headlight, which occupies the forced air intake. This is followed by a whole host of trinkets such as a rear light, rear-view mirrors at the end of the handlebars, starter, side stand, silencer with catalytic converter, indicators, etc... But the silhouette remains identical to the proto. The plumage is as good as the ramage and vice versa.

But what really catches our eye is the engine of this racing millstone. The 999 cm3 V4 has to give up a little technology to adapt to a use less exclusive than an engagement in the most muscular and prestigious of world championships. It therefore abandons pneumatic valve timing and the Seamless gearbox. And quite a lot of horsepower.
The 250 horsepower (approximately) of the Paddock Grinder was not expected. But reading the specification sheet dampens spirits. The boiler here develops just 159 horsepower. A bit scandalous when a CBR 1000 RR spits out almost 180... and when the current hypersport norm orbits at 200 horsepower. But like the RC 30 and RC 45, the RC 213 V-S won't be expressing its full potential in its standard version. An optional kit will be sold for use exclusively on the racetrack - 13,000 euros a piece. And there, the discourse is no longer the same. The V4 transforms itself into a competition beast, delivering 215 hp at 13,000 rpm. And torque rises from 10.4 mkg to over 12.1 mkg at the same 10,500 rpm.

Although modelled on the MotoGP chassis, the RC 213 V-S features a number of geometric differences. Its length is 48 mm longer, its wheelbase 30 mm longer, and its weight values are different. From around 158 kilos in MotoGP, the road version climbs to 170. The race kit lightens the slate, bringing the weight down to just 160 kilos. The fuel tank, in line with sports bike standards, holds 16.3 liters of fuel.
The frame claims to be a very classic and very efficient aluminum perimeter, combined with a huge swingarm. Don't hesitate to drool over the sublime Öhlins pressurized inverted fork. The Brembo calipers are top-notch, but don't expect to find the Lithium? carbon disc duo of some seasons; one has been banned from MotoGP since 2015 - the other is ineffective in the rain.

The RC 213 V-S will be available from July 13, 2015. The price tag pulverizes all existing and past references for competition bikes adapted for civilian use: 188,000 euros to snap up an RC 213 V-S.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos

Comparison table of Honda RC 213 V models: MotoGP version - road version S - version S with racing kit