Oldies: A short history of the famous RC 174 also called "Honda 6"... (1)

To fully understand the importance of the so-called "Honda 6" in the history of motorcycling, we can obviously place it on a technological level, but also insert it into the saga of the duel between the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme and the builders, a worthy parallel to that of the police and the robbers!

This series of articles is prompted by the announced presence of the most authentic replica of la HondaRC174 during the Sunday Ride Classic on the Paul Ricard circuit, May 17 & 18, 2025...

1/ Presentation

The history of motorcycle Grand Prix racing has always been marked by spectacular technological advances, quickly banned by the FIM or its ancestor the FICM, the latter being driven by the legitimate concern to maintain a minimum of competition during races by limiting costs. We could thus cite the ban on compressors in 1946, following the technical leap and the craze generated by Moto Guzzi in GP, but also Gilera ou BMW and its RS 255 boxer engine at the TT.

Also noteworthy is the ban on full fairings, colloquially called "dustbins" because of their enveloping shape, which were banned in motorcycle Grand Prix races from the 1958 season. Initiated by Moto Guzzi thanks to the wind tunnel available to the Italian firm, then followed by NSU, BMW et Gilera, these fairings, almost entirely enveloping the motorcycle, were designed to offer a considerable aerodynamic advantage by significantly improving the coefficient of penetration in the air and reducing drag. Considered dangerous because they made the motorcycle difficult to handle and offered too much resistance to side winds, they regained their nickname after a few years of good and loyal service,

About Moto Guzzi, we will also of course mention the fantastic 1955 Ottocilindri with a V8 engine, which disappeared in 1958 following the withdrawal of Gilera, FB-Mondial et Moto-Guzzi for reasons of increasing cost of competition in a period of recession in the motorcycle market.

MV Agusta et Ducati then announced that they would continue the GP adventure but with the British withdrawing Norton et AJS as well as German DKW A year earlier, the Grand Prix were losing interest, and the FIM had other things to worry about than limiting the number of cylinders...

To the great displeasure of technology enthusiasts, even goldsmiths, it will however be forced to do so by Japanese manufacturers a few years later, and it is this story of the "Honda 6", a pure product of Japanese technological sophistication, that we will now summarize for you over the days, hoping that you will be able to go to the SRC this year for an exceptional event!

To be continued after the GP of the Americas in Austin…

This series of articles is prompted by the announced presence of the most authentic replica of la HondaRC174 during the Sunday Ride Classic on the Paul Ricard circuit, May 17 & 18, 2025...