HRC executive vice president Shuhei Nakamoto looks forward to the RC customer model. Image: MotoGP.com.

Honda Racing Corporation is swiftly working on the final stages of development on the RC MotoGP contender to be offered to private teams in 2014.

According to MotoGP.com, Honda’s new customer bike to be introduced will be similar to the current RC213V prototypes, albeit without pneumatic valves or seamless shift gearboxes.

In line with the regulations, the fuel capacity will be 24 litres compared ith the official bikes’ 20, and 12 engines will be available per season.

“So far we have been working with the engine on the dyno and, once it reaches the performance we expect, we will begin the next phase which is focussed on putting the bike on the track,” HRC executive vice president Shuhei Nakamoto told the official series website.

“Regarding the matter of the program having been delayed by almost a month, we are trying to shorten deadlines. From the data we have so far, I think it will be a good bike, but we must continue to work to achieve optimum levels of reliability and durability that will satisfy our customers.”

Suppliers play an important role in the development of the new bike, as Honda works closely with companies within its conglomerate – not least Nissin and Showa.

“For Nissin, which forms part of our group, development of callipers and brake master cylinders is very important and MotoGP is the ideal platform by which to develop their product,” he added. “The same applies to other enterprises when it comes to suspension, engines and so on.

“Nissin took new parts to Le Mans, the idea being that it is always [Stefan] Bradl who tries them first and, when it confirmed by him that there is an improvement, they are run by [Alvaro] Bautista who in-turn is responsible for the development of Showa suspension.”