Photography by Maruo Kono / Red Bull Content Pool.
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Red Bull is rejoining forces with Honda’s factory MotoGP team. From the 2027 season, Red Bull colors will be applied to the Honda HRC bikes and riders, reviving a partnership that ended after 2023.
The deal coincides with two other changes. MotoGP’s new technical rules take effect in 2027, and Honda has signed 2021 MotoGP World Champion Fabio Quartararo to ride for the factory team in 2027 and 2028. His teammate has not been named, though it’s down to 2025 Moto2 World Champion Diogo Moreira and 2024 Moto3 World Champion David Alonso.
Quartararo has raced in Monster Energy colors with the factory Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team since 2021, the year he won the title. His move to Honda puts the #20 in a rival energy drink brand’s colors.
The 2027 regulations cut engine displacement from 1000cc to 850cc, ban ride-height and holeshot devices, and shrink the aerodynamic packages.
“Honda HRC and Red Bull are two companies that know each other very well through many forms of racing, and I am delighted to restart our collaboration in MotoGP,” said Honda Racing Corporation President Koji Watanabe.
“As we prepare to enter a new era of the MotoGP World Championship with the 850cc machines, it is critical to have partners who share the same targets and ambitions,” explained Watanabe. “Red Bull shares our goals, our drive and our exacting standards, and I am certain that together we can continue to add to the history we have already written on and off the track.”
Red Bull Honda MotoGP History
Red Bull and Honda first teamed up in MotoGP from 2015 through 2023, with riders including Marc Márquez, Dani Pedrosa, and Jorge Lorenzo. That run produced four MotoGP World Championships by Márquez from 2016 to 2019, along with 45 race wins and 93 podiums.
Red Bull left Honda when Márquez departed at the end of 2023, and Repsol ended its 30-year sponsorship a year later. Red Bull also sponsors KTM’s factory and Tech3 MotoGP teams.
“As MotoGP prepares to enter a new era with new machines, new rules and new ambitions, Honda HRC and Red Bull are reuniting with a clear shared objective,” said Honda HRC Team Manager Alberto Puig.
“Few organizations compete across as many championships as HRC and Red Bull, so this collaboration makes clear and logical sense,” Puig continued. “Neither party will accept anything less than victory, and that is what we must work towards if we are to make this combination the benchmark once again.”
Our bike review this episode is the Yamaha MT-03. Do not underestimate this bike; you get a lot of motorcycle for your money! Associate Editor Kelly Callan rode the smallest MT for several weeks, and that included commuting on it. One of the things that impressed her, was how the MT-03 acted like a larger motorcycle. Kelly also spent some time chasing Editor Don Williams through the canyons when he was on the Yamaha MT-07—obviously a much larger machine. She tells us about how it all went.
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We’re closing in fast on the 34th annual Biketoberfest, October 15–18, when all roads will lead to Teddy Morse’s Destination Daytona—the more than 100-acre motorcycle playground in Ormond Beach Florida. This week we get to hear all about it from Teddy Morse himself. With his trademark high energy and enthusiasm, he tells us all about his recently established Triketoberfest that happens the week before, and how the Destination Daytona complex turns into a full-throttle hub of demo rides, vendors, custom builds, live music, food trucks, shops, and nonstop pavilion energy. So, whether you’re on two wheels or three, whether you’re hunting parts or lining up a test ride; grab a cold one and soak up the energy and gorgeous Florida fall weather. This is one of the many Daytona Beach places where Biketoberfest feels like home. So don’t forget: make sure you download the Biketoberfest mobile App from Apple or Google Play or visit www.biketoberfest.org and we’ll see you there!
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Our guest this episode is Greg Arnold, Mecum’s motorcycle auction director. He bought his first bike at eleven, joined the company in 2011, and has spent more than a decade helping turn this incredible event into the place collectors, consignors, and dreamers all show up. Next February 3rd through 6th, Mecum will—for the 36th time, bring the world’s largest vintage motorcycle auction back to South Point, Las Vegas. That’s over two thousand bikes over four days. Board-track racers, barn finds, customs, race iron, and especially, those incredible machines that make the room go quiet. Greg gives us insight into what it takes to make this event work so incredibly well, and if you’re interested in selling your pride and joy, what steps you have to take to make it happen.
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Here’s quick reminder to check out our monthly digital magazine. It’s filled with everything you want to read on motorcycling, including some things you’ve probably not seen elsewhere. It’s absolutely free and you will find it on the Apple App Store and of course on Google Play as well.
Don’t forget to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!
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