Honda developing V4 sports bike?

Is Honda developing a new top shelf sports bike to take on the Italian exotics?

Last month the Japanese giant trademarked the 'RVF' name, which has sent the rumour mill into overdrive with suggestions that Honda is developing a 1000cc V4 engine that would be tailor-made for the new 'claiming-rule' teams to use in the MotoGP premier class.

From 2012 new rules allow teams to compete in the MotoGP with production-based engines, and if Honda was to build a new high-power V4 sports bike based on the VFR1200's engine architecture, it would open up a new avenue for claiming-rule teams.

Currently there are teams working on the BMW S 1000 RR's engine for use in bespoke chassis for the 2012 MotoGP season, but if Honda was to create an engine that adheres to the engine rules (81mm maximum bore) that develops around 200hp, it could become the go-to supplier for claiming-rule teams.

Currently Honda is the sole engine supplier to the Moto2 class, and gets plenty of marketing mileage from the association. It would be conceivable that Honda would want to be a production engine supplier in the top MotoGP category, too.

Honda originally had the rights to the 'RVF' name back in 1990 but let it lapse in 2006.

A brand-new RVF1000 could be a very handy double play for Honda, giving it a hard-charging and highly desirable V4 production bike to rival the likes of the S 1000 RR and Aprilia RSV4, but also opening up the door to supplying claiming-rule teams with engines in the MotoGP.

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