MotoGP is transitioning from 1000cc to 850cc motorcycles in 2027 and Triumph has also revealed a new engine for Moto2 next year. Speaking to Visordown, Diogo Moreira, current rookie rider for the Honda LCR MotoGP team and 2025 Moto2 world champion, said that this should make the jump between the two formats easier and that he’s optimistic about it.
- Diogo Moreira’s excited for the new 850cc MotoGP bike
- Says the new Moto2 engine will make transition easier for future riders
- Triumph says the new engine isn’t based on the Tiger Sport/Trident 800
MotoGP to transition from 1000cc to 850cc engine in 2027
Earlier stepping up from Moto2 to MotoGP meant getting used to a bike that has about 100 more horsepower, much more sophisticated electronics, and carbon ceramic braking systems
In the past, upscaling from a Moto2 bike to a MotoGP bike hasn’t been easy for most riders. Stepping up means getting used to a bike that has about 100 more horsepower, much more sophisticated electronics, and carbon ceramic braking systems. There have been riders like Pedro Acosta who adapted to the changes quickly. On the other hand, current MotoGP riders like Raúl Fernández (2026 British GP winner) and Fabio Di Giannantonio (currently fifth in the world championship) struggled when they first came from Moto2. They got better with time, and of course, with their teams choosing to trust their potential. Moreira himself is currently struggling to stand out on the grid, though, it is too early to write him off.
When asked about the changes, he said, “But anyway, I think we are happy to be in this new generation because, for me, I think it will be easier to ride this bike because it's more similar to a Moto2. It should be good.” Moreira’s comments come at an important time for Moto2 and MotoGP when both are set to change substantially next year. MotoGP is downsizing while Moto2 is upsizing, which is expected to reduce the steep jump between the two formats.
At this juncture, it bears repeating Triumph’s clarification about their new 2027 engines for Moto2. Since they already have a slightly larger engine, the obvious question was asked and answered. Triumph’s Chief Product Officer Steve Sargent told Visordown in a separate interview, “it's categorically not the Tiger Sport 800 engine. It's a completely different set-up.” He added that in 2019, when Triumph took over as Moto2’s exclusive engine supplier from Honda, the existing 765cc triple-cylinder engine was adapted for racing. With the new engine, that process has been reversed with focus on performance as well as durability.
But, he also didn’t say that this racing-first engine will never make it to a road motorcycle. While Triumph’s plans remain shrouded at this time, we can expect to see the learnings from this new race engine being applied to its future road motorcycles, at the very least. If Triumph manages to make the transition easier for riders, not only will that help the brand, but a future Triumph motorcycle with a Moto2-based engine would also be a strong marketing tool. While the gap between Moto2 and MotoGP has narrowed, there’s absolutely no doubt that MotoGP will remain the pinnacle of motorcycle racing. So, all in all, 2027 should likely be a win-win for all parties involved.
Dinshaw Magol
Unnatee Gidithuri
