Honda RC213V-S to sell in Australia for $244,000!

Honda Australia has confirmed the new RC213V-S road-going MotoGP machine will be available to Australian customers, starting from $244,000.

Launched today at the Catalunya circuit in Barcelona on the eve of this weekend's MotoGP round, the RC213V-S will be sold from Honda directly after a "customer qualifying process" and built to order with a lead time of 6-12 months.

Developed by Honda Racing Corporation, with the exception of a few components required for compliance such as  mirrors and a muffler, as well as practical changes for public roads such as the addition of a starter motor and tweaks to the brake discs and pads, very few key aspects of the RC213V-S have been changed from the race-ready machine.
The RC213V-S also takes a number of cues from the original 'customer' version of the RC213V, the RCV1000R, including a conventional gearbox rather than a seamless version and coil springs rather than pneumatic valves for durability and ongoing maintenance. The camshaft gear train remains the same.

The muffler has also been changed to meet road laws, while there are five separate riding modes and both the torque curves and engine braking can be altered.

In keeping with the heightened focus on handling, a longer wheelbase has been adopted to better utilise the power of the 1000cc V4 engine.

Honda will also be offering an optional 'sports kit' with the RC213V-S for closed circuit riding — turn one at Phillip Island could be interesting! The kit includes an engine control unit, quickshifter, data logger set, brakes, connecting rods, sprocket set, brake lever remote adjuster, maintenance stand and a harness modification set.

According to the official website, the Australian-spec RC213V-S will produce 159hp (117kW) at 11,000rpm and 101Nm at 10,500rpm, while the sports kit ups the ante to 215hp (158kW) at 13,000rpm and 118Nm at 10,500rpm. Curb weight is claimed at 188kg. For full specs, click HERE.

Honda has confirmed it will only be manufacturing a maximum of one RC213V-S a day, and production will cease at the end of 2016. Working out the maths, if production started tomorrow and didn’t cease until December 31, 2016, that's a maximum of 568 RC213V-Ss coming off the specially built assembly line.

Honda MotoGP superster Marc Marquez was at the launch in Barcelona, and he spoke with authority: he's one of only a few people who have ridden the bike.

"It's really good fun, and mid-corner it feels just like a MotoGP bike," he said. "I even got my knee and elbow down riding it!"

The time frame for submitting order inquiries is from July 13, 2015 until September 30, 2015. Go to the official website at rc213v-s.com for more information.