Honda reveal RCV1000R Production Racer

HONDA have revealed the RCV1000R Production Racer that will be used in the new MotoGP ‘Open’ Class starting in the 2014 season.

Former double MotoGP Champion Casey Stoner has tested both the Production Racer and the factory RC213V bike at Motegi. When times were compared the RC213V had a 0.3s advantage on the same tyres. However, when the softer compound rear tyre (specifically for the ‘open’ class) was fitted to the Production Racer, the gap was reduced to only 0.17s.

Compared to the RC213V, the Production Racer does not have a seamless shift gearbox, nor does it have pneumatic operated valves, although it will still produce 235hp as the pneumatic valves help to decrease fuel consumption rather than power. 

Although there are only two available so far, four production racers have been sold at a rumoured price of €1.2 million with Öhlins suspension and Nissin brakes.

Three riders are already known which include Nicky Hayden with the Power Electronics Aspar team, Scott Redding with Gresini Honda and Karel Abraham with Cardion AB. It is still unknown as to who will become teammates with Hayden, but they will also ride a Production Racer bought by the Aspar team.  

The MotoGP 'Open' class means prototype machines will be allowed a 24 litre fuel tank, 12 engines per season and they must have Magneti Marelli hardware and software.

Honda's RCV1000R will be tested on Monday after the final round of the MotoGP Championship at Valencia this weekend presumably by Hayden and Redding. NGM Forward Racing are also set to test their leased 2013-spec Yamaha M1 engine with the frame and swing arm also provided by Yamaha as part of a one-year deal.