Honda today confirmed that its race-derived RC213V-S will be sold as a premium 2016 model with a very limited number—just a portion of a total production expected to be in the neighborhood of around 200 bikes—available to U.S. customers for the eye-watering price of $184,000! "Every sport bike enthusiast has dreamt of climbing aboard a MotoGP machine and experiencing firsthand these bikes' exceptional engineering and performance," Honda says. "With the RC213V-S, a fortunate few will have the chance to purchase what is essentially a pure MotoGP weapon, with only minimal changes for a street application." Unless you live in America, that is: While European buyers will be offered a 157-horsepower version with the option of adding a "race kit" that boosts power to a proper 212 hp, American buyers will be restricted to a neutered version making just 101 hp at 8,000 rpm, and with no available race kit option to boot. American Honda representatives have no explanation beyond suggesting that our nation's stricter noise and emissions regulations are to blame.

Originally unveiled in prototype form at Italy's EICMA show last November (click here for Road-Going RC213V-S Prototype), the RC213V-S is based on the RC213V that Marc Marquez rode to the last two MotoGP world championships, and is closer to a MotoGP bike than any road-going model ever offered to the public, Honda says. "Ever since the modern four-stroke era of MotoGP began, fans have demanded a road-going version of Honda's legendary RCV," said Lee Edmunds, Manager of Motorcycle Marketing Communications at American Honda. "With Honda's dominance in recent years, that call has become unrelenting, so we're excited to announce the RC213V-S. This motorcycle reflects the same attention to detail and precision in assembly found in the factory machine. It's an amazing bike that is sure to be a hit with a select group of U.S. customers." Customers, presumably, who are more interested in looking at the bike than in actually riding it and experiencing its dynamic performance.

RC213V-S
According to Honda, the RC213V-S was developed with close collaboration between Honda's Motorcycle R&D Center and HRC, and is painstakingly manufactured in an exclusive workshop in the Kumamoto factory, using premium materials and production methods that are atypical for production motorcycles.

Like the RC213V upon which it is based, the RC213V-S is powered by a compact 90º V4 999cc engine with titanium connecting rods and a sand-cast aluminum crankcase. Mass on the lightweight machine is highly centralized, and it’s race-derived features include an under-seat fuel tank and carbon-fiber-reinforced-plastic fairing. Approximately 80 percent of the components have been inherited directly from the race bike, including the swingarm, slipper clutch, magnesium Marchesini wheels (17 inch size for the RC213V-S), pressurized Öhlins fork and adjustable footrests and foot controls, as well as most of the Brembo brake components. Some parts have only been altered slightly. The wheelbase, for example, is listed as 30mm longer than the RC213V MotoGP machine, which Honda engineers explained is due to the steering stem being fixed in a set position (it is adjustable to change rake on the race bike) in order to increase steering lock for street use.

In recent years, MotoGP has ushered in huge advances in the area of electronic rider aids, and this is reflected in the RC213V-S, which boasts ride-by-wire, five selectable power modes, engine-brake control and traction control, with position-detection technology developed through Honda’s ASIMO project. Interestingly, the RCV-S includes a traction control system, which is linked to a gyro, or inertial measurement unit (IMU). Data from the IMU is used to meter the traction control system, as on other leading superbikes from Europe and Japan. Additionally, the TC system changes its parameters when each of the five power modes are selected. All of this, plus the inclusion of a quickshifter, represents a major upgrade from any other production machine that Honda offers. When pressed, however, Honda officials were resolute that there is no lower-spec V-4 to follow the RC213V-S.

• Color: HRC Tricolor, Carbon Fiber
• Price: $184,000
• Availability: Reservations for this limited-production model will be taken exclusively through the official model website: www.RC213V-S.com beginning at 3:00 p.m. PST on July 12, 2015