With RC213V, ease of handling is needed to win. Thoroughly-increased mass centralization and heavily-reduced friction losses were two goals in increasing performance levels as high as possible. For MotoGP bikes, when it comes to manufacturing something so different to a regular production bike, the following points are very important:
-Component weight reduction and processing accuracy
-High level of technical proficiency during manufacture
-RC213V-S shares these two factors with RC213V, also adopting the latter’s control technology.
RC213V is customized according to its rider and race course, only being equipped with the parts needed to win. RC213V-S however is for public roads, so we had to make some changes and additions to create a roadworthy bike. While RC-213V-S is mostly identical to RC213V, the following modifications had to be made: Pneumatic valves were replaced with coil springs (although the camshaft gear train remains the same). The seamless gearbox was also replaced with a regular road-going one. These parts are more durable for long term use and were adopted from the readily available RCV1000R open category racing bike.
To meet road laws, RC213V-S is equipped with head/taillights, side mirrors, speedometer, muffler with catalytic converter, license plate holder, horn, etc.
RC213V-S gets upgrades for practicality. Tires, brake discs and pads are new, while the bike’s steering ratio is now wider. Extra equipment includes Honda®’s Smart Key, a starter motor and parking stand. We’ve also created a sports kit for racing on closed circuits.
With RC213V-S, we set out to recreate RC213V’s handling for use on public roads. We made sure that each component differs from mass-produced items in their materials, surface treatment and manufacture to improve rigidity and strength while reducing weight – just like RC213V.
PackagingA completed RC213V’s packaging is centered around thorough mass centralization that aims to take performance to the limit.
Not only with race bikes but in any Supersport class, the reduction of inertia figures, that is, increasing mass centralization, greatly influences the dynamics of a completed bike. A bike’s inertia figures are mostly influenced by its weight and category, but there are two ways to reduce them: lower the weight of components located far from the bike’s center of gravity, or relocate them to be closer.
FrameRC213V’s aluminum frame boasts high torsional rigidity, ensuring engine power gets to the ground properly. Increasing torsional rigidity usually means a jump in weight, but with RC213V, torsional rigidity is only increased in the areas where it’s really needed. Thin reinforcing plates improve rigidity in other areas where it’s lacking, resulting in a lightweight frame.
RC213V-S adopts these same materials and manufacturing processes. Its body is fastened together using bolts machined from titanium alloy, further reducing weight. The bolts themselves are coated in molybdenum grease for improved axial stabilization, and are hand tightened without using an impact wrench to torque specifications different from those used for steel bolts.
EngineTo meet these goals as well as MotoGP regulations, we adopted a 1,000cc, 90° V4 engine. High power output is achieved using a 360° crank phase angle, improving charging efficiency via favorable exhaust pulsing from the cylinders’ firing timing. The 90° V4 layout also maximizes output through reduced friction – it reduces mechanical losses by omitting the harmonic balancer, has a smaller number of crank journals (3) compared to an inline four cylinder engine, and has a sealed crankcase design to reduce pumping losses.