MotoGP to reduce engine size to 800cc in 2007
As you may have heard, MotoGP, the world's premiere motorcycle racing series, will introduce new rules which require the motorcycle engines to be no more then 800 cc's in 2007. The reason this is happening is that the motors in the current 990 cc bikes are becoming too powerful. Rumor has it that the 2005 Honda RC211V bike, being raced by the likes of Max Biaggi and Nicky Hayden, are putting out 260 H.P.. That's a lot for a 350 lb. two-wheeled vehicle. My guess is that we'll be seeing a resurgent 750cc class in racing elsewhere (e.g. AMA) coming up in the not too distant future. The current 1000 cc big bikes being raced in the AMA Superbike series are putting out a reported 230 H.P. at about 360 lb.. Not as powerful and light as MotoGP, but getting there. Suzuki will look like the smart manufacturer being just about the only manufacturer left still producing a 750 cc class sportbike (Ducati still produces a 750cc V-Twin).
