New Yamaha Moto3 bikes to combine prototype chassis with heavily modified R7 engine
Yamaha’s future Moto3 bikes are expected to deliver more power than the current 250cc prototypes, which will be achieved, in part, through heavily modified R7 power units.
Yamaha will soon take over as the sole engine provider for Moto3 teams, and in doing so, the new prototypes will close the gap between the current 250cc bikes and Moto2 machines, which are powered by Triumph’s 765cc triple.
Yamaha will become the exclusive engine supplier for Moto3 in 2028, replacing current providers KTM and Honda. The bikes will also remain true prototypes at heart, despite using heavily modified R7 engines.
The chassis of each bike will be that of a prototype nature, while power is expected to increase from around 60 horsepower (currently) to over 95 hp, according to MotoGP Chief Sporting Officer, Carlos Ezpeleta.
While bringing the performance gap down between Moto3 and Moto2 bikes is expected to be achieved, thus making the transition for younger riders easier, there is also another reason behind the change which is to reduce costs by 50 per cent compared to what they are now.
The trickle down effect from having Yamaha take over as the lone engine supplier, will be to have a “lower-spec” machine used in junior championships globally.
Speaking about the upcoming Yamaha Moto3 bikes, Ezpeleta said:
“The performance is targeted to be better than the current Moto3… around 120 kg (overall weight) with over 95 horsepower. The idea is that we will also have a lower spec [machine] for all the junior championships around the world.
“We are solving a number of things with the current Moto3 structure. One, all riders will be able to compete with exactly the same machinery. Two, it's more suited for today's riders in terms of the age and [bigger] size. And finally, the target is to be at 50 per cent of the current cost for Moto3.”
Before Moto3 undergoes this big change in 2028, MotoGP will begin its own new era of racing one year earlier, thanks to the arrival of its new 850cc machines. Pirelli tyres will also be used in the premier class from next season, rather than Michelin, which is instead switching to WorldSBK where it will replace Pirelli.
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After graduating with a sports journalism degree, Robert joined Crash.net to lead the WorldSBK coverage in 2021, while also providing MotoGP coverage. Fulfilling that role for over three years, Robert was able to put his knowledge about all things racing to the test.
