Big changes coming to MOTO GP

78jotadave

78jotadave

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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
 
There was a time when GP machines were the prettiest, coolest creations and everyone was dreaming to own a bike that resembled them.
Nowadays in my view they are among the ugliest bikes on earth and having something in the garage that resembles one would be like waking up in a horror movie.

Marnix
 
As much as I would like to see raw motorcycles with no electronic aids, telemetry etc if they stop people ending up in wheelchairs it must be a good thing. Racing motorcycles is an irrationally high risk sport, far more so than any other motorsport . You could argue that the Moto GP riders are pushing harder than the F1 guys, no team orders, no remote control from pits- it’s still just a bloke in a leather suit making all the decisions and physically manhandling a two wheeled missile. Sheene and Robert’s had just over 100 bhp at the wheel and we were in awe of their skills and the racing was close and exciting. By the end of the two stroke era, riders were high siding on a regular basis and getting hurt badly whilst road based superbikes were lapping faster. Now we have Moto GP where the bikes are without parallel in terms of technology or speed and the powers that be have to keep making adjustments to keep it safe and sustainable. I think it’s a good move.
 
Dont like seeing big highsides, and I don't like seeing one bloke win all the time or Simon needing to discipline and handicap for naughty shit. I do like seeing close racing with plenty of passing.
 
Vince said:
Dont like seeing big highsides, and I don't like seeing one bloke win all the time or Simon needing to discipline and handicap for naughty shit. I do like seeing close racing with plenty of passing.
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Well Vince..... American flat track racing is just what you need....... and no electronic toys besides the ignition. S1GP would be a close second...... gotta love Supermoto.
 
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Moto GP, please bring back the 'Umbrella girls'. If you want bikes that resemble and reflect the performance of bikes available to the consumer, I thought that was what WSB and Super Sport were for.
At the Netherlands MotoGP, Bezzerchi's get-off was it the fastest in MotoGP history? Inquiring minds want to know.

I remember a decade or more back when MotoGP reduced engines from 1000cc to 850 cc, the circle of life, eh!
 
MarnixSFC said:
There was a time when GP machines were the prettiest, coolest creations and everyone was dreaming to own a bike that resembled them.
Nowadays in my view they are among the ugliest bikes on earth and having something in the garage that resembles one would be like waking up in a horror movie.

Marnix
Click to expand...
GP racing was once the R&D playground for the manufactuters. What worked on the track eventually found its' way to the production lines...

Can't see myself wanting a modern toy. Sure, fast-as-fuck and pretty much unbeatable, but they do nothing for me, don't make sense to my old-fashioned, analog mind. The computer is the boss, the rider just points it in the direction he wants. My toaster has more character than most of them! Besides, they all look like they fell off the back of a truck. :rolleyes:

+1 for the Grid Girls! ;) At least a couple of pretty spots in a sea of uniform blandness.

piet
 
78jotadave said:
At the Netherlands MotoGP, Bezzerchi's get-off was it the fastest in MotoGP history? Inquiring minds want to know.
Click to expand...
Not sure how fast the Dutch track is, but I think it was Zarco who's bike mounted another riders at the fastest point on the track where riders brake for Turn 1 at the Island, and they have hit 364kph there, so if not the fastest, not far off. It was spectacular - and he (not sure if the 'mounted' rider came down) got out of it pretty much unscathed.
 
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