6 legendary bikes: the Honda RC211V of Valentino Rossi

1. Mick Doohan (Honda NSR 500), (1995-1998)

The name of the rider Mick Doohan will always be linked to this legendary bike. Five world titles vouch for the Australian rider, four of which he won in the colours of the Repsol Honda Team.

This is how Doohan's title-winning bike developed:

Debuting in 1984, the NSR500 was and still is a legendary bike, with specifications for its time that few riders managed to maximise. As you can see, we are talking about a model that had a long journey in the World Championship. In 1992 Honda developed the “Big Bang”, a new engine with a completely different firing order and with a characteristic exhaust sound, which was an even greater leap forward compared to the specifications of its rivals.

We are talking about more than 180 horsepower, which made it an aggressive machine that demanded a very high level of riding skill.

• World Championships: 4
• Wins with Doohan from '95 to '98: 35
• Podiums with Doohan from '95 to '98: 47

2. Álex Crivillé (Honda NSR 500), (1999)

In addition to Mick Doohan, if there is another rider who fans associate with the NSR500, it is Álex Crivillé. His 1999 world title marked a historic milestone for Spanish motorcycling.

 

This is how Crivillé's title-winning bike developed:

When Álex Crivillé started riding the NSR500 it was the best bike in the World Championship. Honda had already incorporated the “Big Bang” system, a new engine that was the greatest evolution and discovery of its time: with a very characteristic exhaust sound, the NSR500 was a huge advance compared to its rivals in the World Championship with more than 180 horsepower. It was said to be a very aggressive bike.  

Doohan proved that he was the perfect rider for it but then Crivillé came along to demonstrate that the Australian was not the only one.

• World Championships: 1
• VWins with Crivillé in '99: 6
• Podiums with Crivillé in '99: 10

 3. Valentino Rossi (Honda RC211V),  (2002 y 2003)

Valentino Rossi is without a doubt one of the greatest legends in Motorcycling History. During the 2002 and 2003 seasons, the Italian claimed both world titles wearing the colours of Repsol on the Honda RC211V.

 This is how Rossi's title-winning bike developed:

In 2002, with the change in regulations that allowed four-stroke engines to be used, Honda created the RC211V. Using the “Big Bang” system on which it had been working for several years (for the NSR500), the Japanese manufacturer designed a 990cc V5 engine that quickly proved to be a cut above the rest. On these bikes, the riders reached speeds of more than 330 km/h on some tracks, thanks to its more than 200 horsepower.

Valentino Rossi knew how to get the most out of the capabilities of the RC211V.

• World Championships: 2
• Wins with Rossi in 2002 and 2003: 20
• Podiums with Rossi in 2002 and 2003: 31

 4. Nicky Hayden (Honda RC211V), (2006)

For various seasons Nicky Hayden knew what it was like to ride the Honda RC211V. Eventually, in 2006, he was able to get the most out of it and win the world title.

 

This is how Hayden's title-winning bike developed:

The Honda ridden by Nicky Hayden in the 2006 season was actually a development of the Honda that the Repsol riders had ridden in previous seasons. It was, for example, a development of the RC211V with which Rossi won the world title in 2002 and 2003, a powerful machine built on the “Big Bang” system, with a 990C V5 engine.  

In 2006, it was a more powerful machine and with several modifications to the chassis, giving it more than 240 horsepower.

• World Championships: 1
• Wins with Hayden in 2006: 2
• Podiums with Hayden in 2006: 10

 5. Casey Stoner ,Honda RC212V (2011)

Casey Stoner came to the Repsol Honda Team in 2011. In his first year wearing the colours of Repsol the Australian was able to match his aggressive riding style with a perfectly developed machine by Honda and Repsol.

 This is how Stoner's title-winning bike developed:

 With the new maximum cylinder capacity of 800cc, Honda developed a new V4 engine, improving the electronics, using a pneumatic valve system and making improvements to the traction control system, all of this to optimise mass centralisation to create a bike that was even more manageable. In 2011, Honda incorporated the ‘seamless’ transmission.

And the maximum output exceeded 200 horsepower, which meant a slight drop in the top speed but the capacity to brake later and accelerate sooner when coming out of a turn.

• World Championships: 1
• Wins with Stoner: 10
• Podiums with Stoner: 16

 6. Marc Márquez,  Honda RC213V (2013 y 2014)

In the 2013 season Marc Márquez made the leap to MotoGP after taking the Moto2 title with Repsol. He thereby formed a dream team with Dani Pedrosa. Both riders got the most out of the RC213V

 This is how Márquez's title-winning bike developed:

With the new regulations allowing up to 1000cc, Honda worked hard to create a new V4 in this cylinder capacity, using latest generation materials and the pneumatic valve system. Thanks to the joint research and development of Honda and Repsol, the output was increased and exceeded 230 horsepower despite restrictions on the fuel tank capacity.

This, along with the chassis design and improvements to the transmission, resulted in a bike that performed well under practically any conditions and on almost every circuit.

• World Championships: 2
• Wins with Márquez: 17
• Podiums with Márquez: 27