MotoGP is one of the most popular forms of motorcycle racing, and the bikes used are some of the most technologically advanced, even if they’re not the biggest. As you watch MotoGP, you might find yourself wondering what cc the bikes are.
MotoGP bikes can be up to 1000cc. They have four cylinders with a bore of 81 millimeters each. The engines used in MotoGP are produced by various different manufacturers, but they’re all made to strict specifications. Moto2 bikes use 765cc engines, while Moto3 engines are just 250cc.
Below, we cover in detail what cc MotoGP bikes are and how they differ across various competitions. We’ll take a closer look at the engines used in Moto2 and Moto3 as well, before discussing what kind of power these engines can produce.
What cc Bikes Do They Ride In MotoGP?
In MotoGP, they ride 1000cc bikes. Before 2002, the engines were 500cc, but they were then increased to 990cc until 2006. From 2007-2011, the series used 800cc bikes, before they made the move to 1000cc MotoGP bikes in 2012, and it has been the same ever since.
Motorcycle road racing has three classes, of which the Grand Prix is the leading and the most awaited event. This is partly due to the fact that MotoGP bikes have 1000cc engines, which are the largest and most powerful of all the classes. With so much power on tap, it is natural to expect the Grand Prix to showcase the highest speeds and be the most popular race.
Minimum Weight Rules
It is interesting to note that of all three classes, MotoGP is the only one where there is no minimum weight rule for the rider, but a minimum weight rule exists for the bike. It’s not allowed to weigh less than 347 lbs (157 kg). The bikes used in all three classes use 4-stroke engines, with a maximum of six gears allowed, but the number of cylinders varies with the permitted engine capacity.
In 2002, the championship was rebranded to MotoGP. At the time, the MotoGP class was known as the 500cc class. In 2007, the rules were changed so that the engine capacity was increased to 800cc, which continued for five years. In 2012 the maximum allowed engine capacity was changed to 1000cc.
What cc Bikes Do They Ride In Moto2?
Moto2 bikes are 765cc. In 2010, Moto2 had 600cc engines, but this changed in 2019 when Triumph replaced Honda as their engine supplier, and the engine capacity increased, and has been the same since.
Moto2 is a class of motorcycle racing in which the maximum allowed engine capacity is 765cc with three cylinders. All bikes must use a Triumph 765cc engine, so the race depends on the suspension and rider rather than a manufacturer’s engine. Moto2 has a minimum combined weight rule where the minimum total weight of the bike and rider cannot be less than 595 lbs (270 kg).
In 2010, Moto2 was restricted to 600cc, and the engines were supplied by Honda. This continued until 2019 when Triumph replaced Honda as the sole supplier of Moto2 engines. At this time, the 600cc engines were replaced by 765cc engines which had 3-cylinders compared to the 4-cylinder engines supplied by Honda.
What cc Bikes Do They Ride In Moto3?
In Moto3 they ride bikes with a maximum of 250cc. Before 2012, it used 125cc bikes, and this makes Moto3 bikes substantially smaller in terms of engine capacity than the other two streams of Grand Prix motorcycle racing.
Moto3 is a class of racing where engines of a maximum of 250cc with one cylinder are allowed. In Moto3, the team is allowed to use any engine from any manufacturer, which results in more competitive races and is cheaper for teams to participate in. Moto3 also has a combined weight rule where the total weight of the bike and rider cannot be less than 335 lbs/152 kg.
Before 2012, Moto3 was the 125cc class of 2-stroke engines. It was named Moto3 in 2010, and the engine capacity was changed to a 250cc, 4-stroke engine using an 81 mm bore.
KEY POINTS
• MotoGP bikes are 1000cc
• Moto2 bikes are 765cc
• Moto3 bikes are 250cc
What Engines Are Used In MotoGP?
The engines used in MotoGP are from the following manufacturers:
- Honda
- Yamaha
- Suzuki
- Ducati
- Aprilia
- KTM
In MotoGP, the engines used are prototypes made from the highest quality materials available. These engines are developed with the latest and most up-to-date technology available, and they are far more advanced than those on your average road bike.
MotoGP engines are prototypes, not available to the general public for purchase or use. They are made from the highest quality of materials that are well above the average person’s ability to purchase. Since these machines are designed for extremely high performance on the racetrack and have the potential to increase their sponsor company’s fame and reputation, money is no object.
High-Quality But Expensive
All the racing teams in MotoGP represent major motorcycle manufacturing companies and have enormous financial backing with access to the latest advances in internal combustion engines. Several innovations that have found their way to the consumer originated on the racetrack and were found to have benefits for small motorcycles as well.
The engines use the latest technology developed at the manufacturer’s own research facilities. This class of racing has always been dominated by big brands, with no room for small racing teams who lack similar resources to compete equally. All the teams who are currently racing are being funded by big companies that have a vested interest in winning.
How Powerful Are MotoGP Bikes?
A 1000cc MotoGP bike can output about 290 hp. There are no official figures for the actual power output from MotoGP motorcycles, but it can be estimated from their speed and acceleration. They can go from 0-186 mph/0-300 kph in about 9 seconds and can reach top speeds of up to 226 mph (363 kph).
How Fast Are MotoGP Bikes?
MotoGP bikes usually have a top speed of about 217 mph (350 kph), a lot of which is due to their large engines with high power output. However, MotoGP bikes have set top speeds in excess of 225 mph (363 kph), making them some of the fastest motor racing vehicles on the planet.
How Much Of A Speed Difference Does cc Make?
The difference between the Moto2 and Moto3 is 515cc, and the difference between the Moto3 and MotoGP is 235cc. Of course, the minimum weight rule doesn’t apply to MotoGP, which gives it a lot of leeway, but how does this translate into speed differences between the three classes?
| Class | Engine Capacity | Top Speed | Difference To MotoGP |
| MotoGP | 1000cc | 226 mph / 363 kph | — |
| Moto2 | 765cc | 183 mph / 295 kph | 43 mph / 68 kph |
| Moto3 | 250cc | 152 mph / 244 kph | 74 mph / 119 kph |
KEY POINTS
• MotoGP bike engines are much larger and more powerful than Moto2 and Moto3 bikes
• They can produce about 290 HP, although exact numbers are hard to come by
• MotoGP bikes can be 40+ mph faster than Moto2 bikes, and 74 mph faster than Moto3 bikes
Final Thoughts
MotoGP bikes are 1000cc, with this having changed a few times over the years, with the series replacing the 500cc championship in 2002. MotoGP bikes can output around 290 HP, much more than your average consumer 1000cc bike would be capable of. Moto2 bikes are 765cc, and in Moto3, they are 250cc.
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