Big changes coming to MOTO GP

MotoGP Engine Size Change in 2027
Yes — MotoGP will reduce engine capacity from 1000cc to 850cc starting in 2027, marking one of the most significant technical changes in the sport’s modern history

Key Details of the Change​

• Displacement: Drops from 1000cc to 850cc.
• Maximum bore: Reduced from 81mm to 75mm
• Cylinders: Still limited to 4-stroke, 4-cylinder units.
• Fuel: 100% sustainable fuel, with tank capacity reduced from 22 litres to 20 litres MotoGPNews+1.
• Engine limits: Riders allowed a maximum of 6 engines per season (down from 7)

Purpose of the Reduction​

MotoGP officials say the change aims to:

• Lower top speeds for improved safety MotoGPNews+1.
• Reduce reliance on extreme aerodynamics, making racing closer and more overtaking-friendly Naked Racer Moto Co+1.
• Increase road relevance of the bikes, as smaller engines are more similar to production motorcycles Crash.Net.
• Promote efficiency and sustainability through smaller displacement and sustainable fuel use Naked Racer Moto Co+1.

Impact on Racing​

• Performance: Power will be slightly trimmed, shifting the balance toward rider skill, tyre management, and chassis performance
• Aerodynamics: Front fairing width reduced by 50mm, nose moved back 50mm, and rear aero is homologated to limit changes
• Ride-height/hole-shot devices: Banned entirely to remove artificial launch advantages
• Data sharing: GPS data from all riders will be available to all teams after each session

In short, the 2027 MotoGP engine size cut is part of a broader technical reset designed to make the sport safer, more sustainable, and more spectator-friendly, while keeping the bikes exciting and competitive.

The aero changes will be the most significant in the long run. In a few seasons the smaller engines will be just as powerful as before, IIRC, the current powerplants are just over 300hp and the new ones in testing are about 265 hp.

But the areo changes will permit more passing due to less turbulence in the slipstream and the banning of ride height devices will make the bikes more like a motorbike than a two wheeled F1 car. In the first test sessions the riders, irregardless of brand, loved the way the bikes felt. The consensus was that they are “fun” to ride!

BTW, ride height control is not just for the starting holeshot, it is also used for corner exit.

And those rider ads fail dangerously on occasion, leading to a sudden dramatic change in handling. The tyre change will be big as well, sometimes leading to riders not being able to cope. It will be interesting to see how this stacks up.

Maybe all electronic assistants should be banned, this would bring the power way down as 250+ hp are simply unmanagable without. Maybe limit output around 200, similar to what the last 500cc 2-strokes were pushing out. Imho, before traction control was implemented, this was the most exciting era in GP racing. These were on the verge of being unrideable, the rider skill/bravery(?) played a much larger part than today.

piet