Moto

The motorcycles used in MotoGP™ are purpose-built, purebred racing bikes - ‘prototypes’. They are not available for purchase by the general public and cannot be legally ridden on public roads.

The technical regulations to which Grand Prix teams must adhere when they build their bikes for MotoGP™ competition provide a guide to the type of machinery the riders use.

Engine sizes permitted in each class are as follows:

MotoGP™ - As of the 2017 season, the maximum engine displacement permitted is 1000cc, with a maximum of four cylinders and maximum bore of 81 mm - two-stroke engines are not allowed. A maximum of seven engines may be used by each permanently contracted rider over all the scheduled races of the season. Penalty for infringement of this means the rider will start from the pit lane five seconds after the start of the race.

From 2016 onwards, all MotoGP™ machines run a spec Magnetti Marelli ECU and software package often referred to as ‘unified software’.

Any manufacturer who is new to the paddock or didn’t win a dry race in the previous season benefits from various concessions regarding engine homologation, testing and engine durability: riders from these manufacturers can use up to nine engines per season, instead of seven.

Moto2™ - The Moto2™ Official Engine is currently supplied by Honda and tuned by Spanish firm ExternPro. This is a 600cc four-stroke production engine.

Moto3™- Prototipi 250cc 4 tempi monocilindrici.

Apart from the displacement and number of cylinders for each class, engine type is restricted to reciprocating piston engines with no super- or turbo-charging, while the bike may have no more than six gears.

The following are the minimum weights permitted:

MotoGP™ up to 800cc = 150 kg ; from 801 to 1000cc = 157 kg

Moto2™ motorcycle + rider = 215 kg

Moto3™ motorcycle + rider = 152 kg

The teams may add ballast to their bikes to achieve the minimum weights and the weight may be checked at the initial technical control, but the main control of weight is done at the end of practice sessions or at the end of the race. For the Moto2™ and Moto3™ classes, the weight checked is the total of the rider with full protective clothing plus the weight of the motorcycle.

In normal circumstances, each MotoGP™ team has two bikes prepared to race for each rider, so that there is no delay should a problematic bike need to be replaced before a race or before or during a practice or Qualifying session. Moto2™ and Moto3™ classes may have only one bike per rider.

DESIGN

Grand Prix bikes are produced to win races and to showcase the design and technological capabilities of their manufacturers. The machines are therefore constructed from expensive, hardwearing and extremely light materials such as titanium and reinforced carbon fibre and benefit from advanced technology (carbon disk brakes, engine management systems, traction control), which does not feature on regular road bikes.

With millions of fans watching each round of the World Championship, the bikes are also a showcase for the numerous big brands involved in sponsoring MotoGP™ teams. Each bike displays a race number at the front and back, and usually features the colours and logos of the respective teams’ main sponsor as well as numerous other logos displaying the names of teams’ sub-sponsors.