Honda has taken its first concrete step toward the 2027 MotoGP season by putting its new prototype motorcycle on track for testing. The Japanese manufacturer ran its first machine powered by the upcoming 850cc engine as it prepares for significant technical changes set to begin in 2027.
The prototype was tested during a private session in Malaysia, with Honda test rider Takaaki Nakagami completing the initial laps on the new bike. While the machine borrows some elements from Honda’s current motorcycle, it features a completely new engine built to meet the revised regulations that MotoGP will introduce.
Source: Motorsport
The move comes as the sport transitions to smaller, more sustainable engines under the 2027 rules. Engine capacity will decrease from 1000cc to 850cc, and several systems that are common today, including ride‑height devices, will be removed. The sport will also adopt 100 percent non‑fossil fuel and welcome Pirelli as the official tyre supplier, changes aimed at improving safety and sustainability.
Honda is not alone in preparing for this new era. Other manufacturers, such as KTM, have already run early 850cc tests, indicating that the factories are racing to understand how the next generation of bikes will behave on track.
Early technical projections suggest these future bikes may be slightly slower initially as teams adapt to the new format, but development is expected to narrow any performance gaps.
For Honda, this early testing is crucial to gathering data and refining the prototype before the 2027 regulations take effect. Over the coming months and years, the prototype will continue to evolve as engineers and test riders work to build a competitive machine for the next chapter of MotoGP racing.
