Aleix Espargaro previews the wild potential of the 850cc era

It is not often you hear a test rider sound this genuinely thrilled about the future. While the 2026 season continues to unfold, Honda HRC test rider Aleix Espargaro has pulled back the curtain—ever so slightly—on the 850cc machines coming in 2027. He kept the technical details under wraps, but his verdict on the rideability of these new bikes was clear: they are going to be a lot of fun.

Espargaro points to the reduction in engine capacity and a significant drop in weight—more than 10kg lighter—as the catalyst for a major shift in how these machines handle. With the switch to Pirelli tires, he notes that riders will be able to rush the apex with more confidence, aided by the different torque characteristics. The combination of improved direction changes and these grippy tires has him convinced that we are heading for a new era defined by much tighter on-track battles.

It is a massive reset for the series, moving away from the 1000cc engines that have defined MotoGP since 2012. Between the reduction in aero, the ban on holeshot devices, and these new engine specs, the goal is a clearer, more competitive racing product. As Espargaro puts it, "The riders - and I think also the people at home - will have fun because I think there will be a lot more battles."