- Third Sepang test of the Honda RC214V since December 2025
- Aleix Espargaro could ride the 850cc prototype for the first time
- All five MotoGP manufacturers have now tested 850cc machines
While the MotoGP teams are using a three-week race break after the US Grand Prix in Austin, Honda Racing Corporation is anything but idle in Malaysia. At Sepang International Circuit, HRC test riders Aleix Espargaro and Takaaki Nakagami have gathered for a multi-day private test. It is the first time both test pilots are on site simultaneously, suggesting a significant intensification of the 850cc program.
Third Sepang Test Since the December Debut
The Honda RC214V’s track history is still young. On December 17, 2025, the prototype with its engine reduced to 850 cubic centimeters first rolled out on the asphalt of Sepang International Circuit. Takaaki Nakagami was at the handlebars and delivered a positive first impression. The Japanese rider said the motorcycle felt super light, which had somewhat surprised him under the given conditions.
However, persistent rain disrupted the first rollout. Honda was barely able to collect meaningful dry data at that time. A second private test over two days followed in January 2026, also at Sepang. This time the track stayed dry, and the team was able to work significantly more productively. On March 12, Honda released video footage from the December rollout for the first time, giving the public an initial look at the RC214V.
The current test is therefore already the third visit of the 850cc prototype to Malaysia. Social media posts from Espargaro suggest dry and sunny conditions, which should give Honda significantly better conditions for data collection this time.
Espargaro Set to Switch to the 850cc Machine
Particularly interesting is Aleix Espargaro’s presence at the current test. The Spaniard, who moved from active racing to Honda alongside Aprilia chief technician Romano Albesiano for the 2025 season, had previously focused exclusively on developing the current RC213V for the ongoing 2026 season.
During the 2025/2026 MotoGP winter tests, Espargaro had described the planned division of labor: Nakagami should work with the 850cc machine for at least the first three months of 2026, while he himself would remain with the existing 2026 motorcycle at Albesiano’s request. Only in the second half of the year would he switch to the 850cc project.
The official MotoGP test in Barcelona on May 18 was originally scheduled as the point from which Espargaro would fully transition to the RC214V. The fact that he is now already on site in Sepang in early April could indicate that Honda has moved up the timeline. Should Espargaro actually ride the 850cc prototype, it would be his first outing on the new machine.
RC214V: Familiar Base with a New Engine
The RC214V designation follows Honda’s classic nomenclature for MotoGP machines. After the RC211V with 990cc and a V5 engine, the RC212V with 800cc, and the current RC213V with nearly 1,000cc, the number 4 represents the fourth engine generation in the premier class.
Technically, the prototype is still largely based on the current machine generation. The aerodynamic configuration resembles the 2026 model and therefore does not yet comply with future regulations. From 2027, front fairings must be five centimeters narrower and shorter. Additionally, the height of the tail section including all wing elements will be reduced by ten centimeters. Ride-height devices that lower the motorcycle during riding are already absent from the prototype, which aligns with the future rules.
The new 850cc engine is not merely a downsized version of the existing powerplant but is intended to be an independent design. Combined with the Pirelli tires that will replace Michelin as the sole supplier from 2027, this creates an entirely new overall package.
Honda and KTM as Pioneers of the 850cc Era
Honda was the second MotoGP manufacturer after KTM to bring an 850cc prototype to the track. KTM had completed its first rollout in December 2025 in Jerez with test rider Pol Espargaro. By now, all five manufacturers in the field have run their 2027 machines. Last week, KTM, Ducati with Michele Pirro, Aprilia with Lorenzo Savadori, and Yamaha with Andrea Dovizioso tested together in Jerez. There, for the first time, all four manufacturers used the new Pirelli tires.
KTM technical director Sebastian Risse expressed confidence in an interview: the lap times of the 850cc machines on certain tracks like Jerez and Misano were not significantly slower than those of the current 1,000cc generation. This suggests that the performance loss from the reduced displacement is at least partially compensated by other factors.
The 2027 Regulations: More Than Just Smaller Engines
The 2027 season brings the most comprehensive rule changes since the introduction of the 1,000cc class in 2012. Beyond the displacement reduction to 850cc, the new regulations include the elimination of ride-height devices, significantly restricted aerodynamics, mandatory use of 100 percent non-fossil fuel, and the switch from Michelin to Pirelli as tire supplier.
Pirelli motorsport boss Giorgio Barbier explained that the manufacturer test teams would prepare a joint calendar with four to six circuits for private testing. This would allow Pirelli to adapt compounds and carcasses to the characteristics of different tracks while simultaneously gaining experience. The first official test with the full MotoGP rider lineup on Pirelli tires and 2027 machines is scheduled for June 22 at Brno.
Current Season Update: Honda Seeking to Close the Gap
Alongside the future-focused work, the current 2026 MotoGP season continues to be difficult for Honda. After six completed races, Luca Marini in tenth overall is the best Honda rider. Teammate Joan Mir failed to finish five times. Although winter testing had been promising, the 2026 package has so far failed to deliver the hoped-for results in race conditions.
Honda can no longer make engine updates to the current RC213V but continues to work on aerodynamics. If the manufacturer sticks to its original plan, both MotoGP variants should be tested in parallel in Sepang: the 2026 machine for the current season and the 850cc prototype for the future.
2027 Rider Market: Honda Building Up
Beyond the technical side, Honda is also positioning itself for the new era. Former world champion Fabio Quartararo continues to be persistently linked with a move to HRC. Additionally, Honda recently signed Moto2 talent David Alonso for the 2027 season. Nearly all rider contracts in the MotoGP field expire at the end of 2026, triggering a comprehensive rider market.
For Honda, the 850cc development is about far more than a technical fresh start. After several difficult years in the premier class, the regulation change is intended to offer the chance to return to the front. The fact that the manufacturer is apparently intensifying its test program earlier than planned and now deploying both test riders simultaneously underscores the seriousness of this endeavor. The second half of 2026 is likely to be dominated by 850cc development for all manufacturers. By the end of November, production of the key components for the 2027 base specification must begin.
➜ This article is part of our comprehensive overview: 2026 MotoGP Season: The Complete Overview – Teams, Riders, Calendar & Championship Standings. Find all key information on this topic in one place.
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