MotoGP’s regulation changes for the 2027 season will be a huge learning curve for everyone, and photographers have noticed that riders are already struggling with changing direction.
With the bikes going down from 1000cc to 850cc engine power, as well as ride height devices being banned and Pirelli replacing Michelin as the tyre supplier, riders will have a lot to adapt to in 2027.
Jorge Martin is already expecting ‘problems’ with the 2027 bikes and the Pirelli tyre. The Spaniard will join Yamaha next year, and he is one of many riders to make seismic moves – Fabio Quartararo is joining Honda, Pedro Acosta is heading to Ducati, and Pecco Bagnaia is off to Aprilia.
What do you think of the 2027 MotoGP regulations?
Are they a step in the right direction for the sport?
MotoGP photographers noticed riders struggling to change direction on the 850cc bikes in Brno test
Development is well underway for 2027, and manufacturers will be looking to get every bit of data to find the edge. KTM were the first to roll out their new bike, while, reportedly, Honda are already outpacing their current bike with the 850cc machine.
With all the devices and aero on the current bikes, riders find it fairly easy to enter corners. But that all changes in 2027, as the first full-time riders’ test of the 850cc machines at Brno proved.
Pit lane reporter Jack Appleyard was at the test, and he noted how photographers saw a glaring problem for the riders. With the regulation changes, they were finding it much harder to change direction, with there being more emphasis on rider skill.
READ MORE: MotoGP’s 2027 regulations explained from 850cc engines and aerodynamic changes to new Pirelli tyres
Appleyard said via the Motorsport Republica YouTube channel: “I was at the Brno test. A couple of the photographers that were there working for the teams have got photos through the change of directions, comparing from Sunday to Monday.
“On Sunday, with all of the devices, the bike is so much more planted, and the riders are, not relaxed, but are able to take a pretty neutral position on the bike.
“Go to Monday, without the devices, with the change in corner speed, and the riders are fighting over the front of the bike trying to keep the front wheel down, picking it up from side to side.
“They’re way more animated on the bike and are having to be far more aggressive, throwing it from side to side, which means that rider skill is going to take much more importance, which is what we want to see as well.”
If you were a MotoGP rider, which team would YOU put your faith in for 2027?
The riders are taking a leap of faith ahead of the regulation changes
It is expected that the 850cc bikes will be much slower than the current generation, but times might not be so far away from today’s benchmark.
In Barcelona, Nicolo Bulega was 1.1 seconds off Pedro Acosta’s pole time during his 850cc test for Ducati. Progress is looking good for 2027, but of course, there is still much more to find and learn.
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