Here is why the MotoGP bikes are so expensive, know what makes them so valuable and their price
What is the price of a MotoGP race bike? Well, everyone who loves and practises the sport usually has this question on their mind.
MotoGP bike price cost, weight, specs list, horsepower, top speed record in kmph
As Valentino Rossi says:
The speed is something dangerous but very exciting.”
Every professional MotoGP racing bike racer is well aware of the grave dangers that exist on the racetrack, but what matters is his passion for his own motorcycle. It is not difficult to understand why regular bikes are less expensive than MotoGP race bikes.
They are made for a specific purpose and for a specific rider, which makes them rare in the first place.Mind-boggling prices for these MotoGP racing bikes. In general, the numbers fall between $3 million and $3.5 million. The primary factor in their high price is the accumulation and assembly of all the components necessary to construct these racing bikes, including the metal, tyres, and motors.
Therefore, if someone wants to get one of these bikes, they need be prepared to spend a fortune. The reasons why MotoGP bikes are so expensive are explained by the following factors.
The top speed record is held by Jorge Martín – Race, Mugello 2022 – 363.6 km/h
MotoGP motorcycles need to weigh at least 346 pounds (157 kilograms) without the rider mounted on the bike or a rider will be disqualified.
A MotoGP bike has four cylinders and a maximum bore of 81 mm, producing up to 240 horsepower with a top speed of 225 mph.
The bikes used in MotoGP are customised. According to the users’ needs or budgets, these expensive motorcycles are constructed and then adjusted. These bikes are often handmade, therefore human labour is frequently more expensive than machine labour. The engines can occasionally be updated to match the racecourse in some circumstances.
The MotoGP bikes are expensive due to their unique design and hand-built nature, and a king’s ransom is required to obtain one. Anywhere from $350,000 to $3.5 million can be included in the Built-Up Price.
Engine
The strong engine of the MotoGP bikes is the most noticeable feature. Engines, however, may differ from bike to bike, giving the buyer the option to choose one that suits his needs or his budget. Compared to the typical racing bike, it has a powerful engine.
The engine parts range in price from $20,000 to $350,000. The various MotoGP bike classes are based on the different engine configurations, such as single-cylinder, power, fuel, rev delivery, etc. Say for example that the following is how the MotoGP will be classified based on maximum speed:
- Moto3 class (244 km/h (152 mph))
- Moto2 class (280 km/h (174 mph))
- MotoGP class (361 km/h (224 mph))
Brands
The most well-known manufacturers of MotoGP Racing bikes worldwide are Yamaha, Ducati, Honda, and Suzuki. It gets expensive on its own because some of the most illustrious names in the world are responsible for the manufacturing and assembly of these bikes. Here are some of the expensive bikes:
- Honda RC213V
- Ducati Desmosedici
- Avintia GP14
- Paul Bird Motorsports
- Yamaha YZR-M1
- Suzuki GSX-RR
- Aprilia RSV4
- Kawasaki Ninja
- BMW S1000RR
- YAMAHA YZF-R1M
Rare parts
Although manufacturers employ parts from outside suppliers, like Ohlins for its suspension, for MotoGP bikes, very few bike-specific components are made; instead, they are tweaked and individually modified for each rider.
Cost is further impacted by the extremely low supply of parts used in the manufacture of MotoGP motorcycles. When companies make the CBR1000RR, they produce parts in batches numbering in the thousands at a time. Industrial facilities are designed to benefit from economies of scale.
Costly materials
The manufacture of MotoGP bikes involves the use of pricey, durable, and incredibly light materials like titanium, magnesium, and carbon fibre. Carbon fibre, which costs £2 per 100g, replaces metal and plastic, which range in price from pennies to dollars per pound.
Wear and tear
During races, MotoGP bikes are on the road in harsh conditions. As a result, in contrast to the tyres on regular bikes, their tyres are built of softer, stickier materials to provide the essential grip and movement. The tyres have a shorter lifespan than those on our regular bikes. While our typical bikes are designed for regular usage at an average speed, these bikes are developed for winning races and preventing accidents even at maximum speed.
Tyres, brakes, fluids, and other wearing parts require replacing much more frequently, sometimes even just after business hours.