Honda has decided to react to the technical disaster at the start of this MotoGP season. The Japanese company brought a totally new motorcycle to Jerez de la Frontera entrusted to test rider Stefan Bradl. The German, appreciated for his tuning skills, is certainly not considered a thunderclap for his speed and, as soon as he put the wheels off in the first free practice session Stefan immediately slipped in among the other Hondas on the track , is perhaps a sign that something important has arrived that could lead to a reversal of the trend.
The new Honda represents a clear break with the current RC213V: the Japanese technicians have taken a completely new path not only from an aerodynamic point of view. The chassis is new, as is the rider’s position which seems decidedly lower.
Detail of Stefan Bradl’s motorbike, Team HRC Honda RC213V
Photo by: Lorenza D’Adderio
It does not go unnoticed that the tail is a continuation of the saddle plane which extends towards the rear, sloping upwards to create a very eye-catching rear wing which shows a high incidence vertical flap at the base of the two fins which support two profiles with a blow. The idea is to significantly increase the load on the rear wheel. Gone are the three side flaps which did not give great results in generating the vortices expected to clear the wake.
It is also curious to note that the high exhaust, two in one, offers a very short final muffler which is oriented so that it is divergent from what might appear to be the embryo of a diffuser, very far in concept from what Aprilia had proposed on the RS-GP.
Here is the screen of Stefan Bradl’s experimental Honda
Photo credit: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Bradl’s Honda #6 is easily recognizable by a more Ducati-style fairing, just as the fairing has changed drastically: there is no longer the “step” useful for generating ground effect when the bike is at maximum lean, but it has been completely redesigned, meeting the aerodynamic concepts developed in Borgo Panigale. The front part is characterized by a large diffuser which in the lower part, under the radiators, exacerbates a blowing that is only hinted at by other bikes.
The evacuation of heat from the radiators is also completely different with a study of the flows which is the result of careful work in the wind tunnel. The two flaps located on the front fork legs work in perfect synergy with the arched aerodynamic elements visible immediately behind.
Honda has decided to assert the opportunity to enjoy development privileges thanks to the concessions decided at the beginning of this season. We will find out how many solutions that Bradl brought to the track will then find a place on the RC213V that will do the rest of the world championship.
