When presentation of the Yamaha R6 Race Ready in Milan, we had mentioned the possibility that its engine would equip Moto2 when the contract between Dorna and Honda expires at the end of 2018.
We had since learned that the Japanese manufacturer had indeed been interviewed but had shown no interest in the category, even with much more sophisticated electronics than what is currently practiced in the intermediate category. Today, the Speedweek site claims that this is also the case for Ducati, KTM, BMW, Husqvarna, Peugeot, Mahindra, Aprilia, Kawasaki, and Suzuki.
Conversely, Triumph would be up for it, with a 750 cc three-cylinder 160 hp derived from the standard 675. Originally, this engine develops 128 hp at 12.600 rpm, but increasing it to 750cc would give it both additional power and the same unit displacement as MotoGP, like in the “good old days”. The current bore is 76mm for a maximum of 81mm in MotoGP and Moto3.
According to speedweek, a memorandum of understanding would probably already be signed between Dorna and the British manufacturer. An announcement could take place during the Qatar Grand Prix…
