Although we have all seen photos of Ducati’s 800cc MotoGP prototype, it is rumored that Honda is well ahead of its competitors in its development of an 800cc MotoGP weapon for 2007.
The new, smaller engine capacity required by MotoGP rules for 2007 onward will result in significant engineering challenges. Not just engine design and configuration, but chassis changes as well. The smaller engines will rev higher, likely have narrower powerbands, and have lighter engine internals. Dropping an 800cc engine into a current MotoGP chassis developed for a 990cc engine, is not the simple solution it seems to be. These engine and weight differences will result in handling differences — and the need for revised chassis.
Once again, Honda’s superior engineering resources may give it a head start on the competition — similar to the head start it had at the beginning of the MotoGP era four years ago.
As we watch Kawasaki and Suzuki finally reaching competitive status after several years of development of their 990cc machines, we have to hope (for the sake of competition!) that we have a relatively level playing field in 2007. Unfortunately, we may see a replay of the 990cc development curve.
