US Gets Watered-down Engine in Honda’s $184,000 Street Bike

Emissions and noise concerns are apparently keeping the US market from getting full-power versions of Honda’s exotic RC213V-S superbike. Expected to cost $184,000, the RC213V-S will be the closest opportunity to ride a real MotoGP bike on the street–but the Europeans and Australians will get a much more potent engine package.

According to early reviews in the motorcycle press, the 999cc 90-degree V4 engine will pump out 156 horsepower when delivered to Europe and Australia. Those engines will also rev to 12,000 rpm. And an optional “sports kit” will be available for track-day customers that will boost the power band up to 14,000 rpm and some 212 horsepower.

Meanwhile, the US market will be limited to 101 horsepower and just 9,400 rpm.

Reports say that required exhaust restrictions are the main reason that the US version is so low on power, and the sports kit will likely do away with the catalytic converter.

Otherwise, here’s what we know about the liquid-cooled RC213V-S engine. It boasts a wildly oversquare 81 x 48.5 mm (3.190 x 1.909 inches) bore and stroke, 13:1 compression ratio and titanium connecting rods. Throttle-by-wire controls operate 48mm throttle bodies, and the exhaust system features valves to adjust engine braking. The V4 design and 3-journal crankshaft are so cooperative with each other that the harmonic balancer is not needed; thereby reducing mechanical losses. There’s also a sealed crankcase to reduce pumping losses. The valve-timing system is through gears, like on the race bike, but the valves are closed with conventional springs; whereas the race engine features F1-style pneumatic springs. Also, the race bike has a seamless transmission while the street version shifts with a conventional 6-speed gearbox.

The RC213V-S is based on the 2-time world championship winning RC213V. Some 80 percent of the race bike carries over to the street model, then additional items like a starter, mirrors, lights, etc. are added to make it street legal. The sports kit includes a different ECU, muffler, air intake and data logging among other performance enhancements.

Honda will hand-assemble about one RC213V-S per day and production will reportedly end in late 2016, which equates to around 500 units.

While the RC213V-S is one of the sexiest, sleekest bikes ever introduced, $1,822 per horsepower for a 2-wheeler boggles the mind.

About the author

Mike Magda

Mike Magda is a veteran automotive writer with credits in publications such as Racecar Engineering, Hot Rod, Engine Technology International, Motor Trend, Automobile, Automotive Testing Technology and Professional Motorsport World.
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