Honda RC211V
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| Manufacturer | Honda Racing Corporation |
|---|---|
| Production | 2002–2006 |
| Predecessor | Honda NSR500 |
| Successor | Honda RC212V |
| Engine | 990 cc (60.4 cu in) four-stroke V5 |
| Related |
Honda CBR600RR Honda CBR1000RR |
The Honda RC211V is a four-stroke race motorcycle from HRC (Honda Racing Corporation) developed in 2001 to replace the two-stroke Honda NSR500.
It was developed as a direct result of major changes to the regulations for the World Championship motorcycle road racing 500 cc (30.5 cu in) class for the 2002 season. The name of the class was modified to MotoGP, and while two-stroke engines remained limited to 500 cc (30.5 cu in) and 4 cylinders, four-stroke engines were now allowed to be as large as 990 cc (60 cu in) and from three to six cylinders - which led many teams to switch to four-stroke designs.
The model name designates the following:
The RC211V was replaced in 2007 by the RC212V.
In 2002, the debut year of the RC211V, Honda and Valentino Rossi dominated by winning the constructor's championship by more than 100 points over their nearest rival. The bike underwent small modifications over the season, but it did not as yet have traction control so much as a handlebar-mounted power management system with 3 settings for different needs during a race.
Among other changes in 2003, power was increased from about 200 to 240 bhp. Traction control was also added.
For 2004, a new, inverted rear suspension link was added, and a new exhaust was introduced at the Sachsenring round. The RC211V riders were unable to keep Rossi (now on a Yamaha YZR-M1) from winning his fourth premier-class championship, and no clear candidate appeared to take over Rossi's role of lead development rider for Honda.
2005 would be the first time in 4 years Honda lost the constructor's championship in the premier class. The RC211V chassis underwent frequent revision and rewelding, with reversions to the 2003 design. After the race at Brno, Honda tested a new bike which both Hayden and Biaggi said was an improvement, and was thereafter known as the "Brno bike".
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