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Honda's RC213V-S is carbon-clad and race-ready (pictures)

Honda just unveiled its MotoGP race bike for the streets, and it's a lovely thing.

Tim Stevens
Tim Stevens got his start writing professionally while still in school in the mid '90s, and since then has covered topics ranging from business process management to video game development to automotive technology.
Tim Stevens
2016 Honda RCV213-S
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This is the 2016 Honda RC213V-S, a $184,000 race bike for the road.

2016 Honda RCV213-S
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Its based on Honda's RC213V, a MotoGP championship-winning machine.

2016 Honda RCV213-S
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This bike is heavily modified from that full-on race bike, but shares a lot of components -- notably the frame and suspension.

2016 Honda RCV213-S
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Lights, of course, have been added to make it street-legal.

2016 Honda RCV213-S
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Swingarm, though, is like the race bike's. Exhaust is quite similar.

2016 Honda RCV213-S
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Mirrors are cunningly integrated into the brake guard.

2016 Honda RCV213-S
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Bespoke elements everywhere.

2016 Honda RCV213-S
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Exhaust is tightly packed beneath the bike.

2016 Honda RCV213-S
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Full-on Ohlins suspension and massive Brembo brakes.

2016 Honda RCV213-S
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Full-color LCD display.

2016 Honda RCV213-S
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Carbon fiber everywhere.

2016 Honda RCV213-S
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Limited controls on the left bar to control the digital dash, selecting ride modes and the like.

2016 Honda RCV213-S
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The right is the important bit: the throttle.

2016 Honda RCV213-S
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Each of the 200-ish models will be individually numbered.

2016 Honda RCV213-S
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Did I mention the carbon fiber?

2016 Honda RCV213-S
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There's a lot of carbon fiber.

2016 Honda RCV213-S
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Ohlins suspension is fully adjustable for compression, rebound, fast and slow.

2016 Honda RCV213-S
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No carbon discs, but the brakes look incredibly competent.

2016 Honda RCV213-S
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The system will use Honda's wireless key system.

2016 Honda RCV213-S
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Championship-winner Mark Marquez was one of the first to get to ride the thing.

2016 Honda RCV213-S
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Marquez reserved #93 for himself.

2016 Honda RCV213-S
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He says he not only got a knee down, but an elbow too.

2016 Honda RCV213-S
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2016 Honda RCV213-S
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2016 Honda RCV213-S
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A raw, carbon fiber version will be available.

2016 Honda RCV213-S
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This bike has had most of its bodywork removed to show the underpinnings.

2016 Honda RCV213-S
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Fuel is largely stored beneath the seat.

2016 Honda RCV213-S
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Fully custom everything.

2016 Honda RCV213-S
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All this could be yours -- if you have the cash! Production begins in September and will run for just one year.

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