MotoGP's 2027 Rules Explained: 850cc Engines and Pirelli Tyres

MotoGP switches to a new technical rulebook in 2027. Engines shrink from 1000cc to 850cc, ride-height and holeshot devices are banned outright, aerodynamics are cut back, and Pirelli replaces Michelin as the sole tyre supplier. The rules run as a five-year cycle to 2031, and the first race under them is the Thai Grand Prix at Buriram on 5 to 7 March 2027.

What are the 2027 MotoGP engine rules?

The premier class drops from 1000cc to 850cc, with the maximum cylinder bore cut from 81mm to 75mm. Engines stay four stroke and are still limited to four cylinders, so the change is a reduction in size rather than a change in architecture.

Riders get six engines for a season of up to 20 races, or seven if the calendar stretches to 21 or 22 rounds. Gearbox allocation is set at 16 pairs of ratios plus four primary drive ratios per season. Minimum bike weight falls from 157kg to 153kg.

Fuel changes as well. Race tanks are capped at 20 litres, down from 22, sprint tanks are limited to 11 litres, and the championship runs on fuel of 100 per cent non oil refinement origin. MotoGP has framed the smaller engine as a way of bringing top speeds down while improving fuel efficiency.

Why are ride-height devices being banned?

Both ride-height and holeshot devices are banned completely from 2027. These are the systems that squat the bike to improve launches off the line and drive out of slow corners, and they have been a major development area under the current rules.

Removing them puts starts and corner exits back on rider technique rather than a mechanical aid. Tyre pressure monitoring, by contrast, carries over from the current rules unchanged.

How do the 2027 aerodynamic rules change the bikes?

The published 2027 technical regulations trim the bodywork in three places:

• Front fairing widthdrops from 600mm to 550mm.
• The nose of the fairingmoves back by 50mm, which shortens the leverage of the front wings.
• Maximum tail heightcomes down from 1250mm to 1150mm.

Rear aerodynamics are also homologated for the first time, with teams allowed one update per season. That freezes a development area that has previously been open all year.

Why is Pirelli replacing Michelin in MotoGP?

Dorna announced on 6 March 2025 that Pirelli would become MotoGP's sole tyre supplier from 2027, on a five-year deal running to 2031. Michelin had been the control supplier since 2016, when it took over from Bridgestone.

Pirelli already supplies Moto2, Moto3 and World Superbike, so the switch means riders climbing the Grand Prix ladder stay on the same tyre brand the whole way up rather than relearning a new front end on arrival in the premier class.

What else changes in the 2027 season?

• Wildcards are gone.Wildcard entries are no longer permitted in the MotoGP class from 2027, though they continue in Moto2 and Moto3. Injury replacements are still allowed.
• Concessions reset.Every manufacturer starts 2027 in Rank B, with rankings reassessed mid-season.
• GPS data is shared.All teams receive GPS data after each session.

What does the 2027 reset mean if you are buying tickets?

Buriram gets the first competitive running of the new bikes, which makes the Thai Grand Prix on 5 to 7 March 2027 the one round on the calendar with genuine novelty attached. It is the third year running that Thailand has opened the season.

Beyond that, every manufacturer begins the year on the same concession rank with the same new tyre supplier, so the technical advantages that shaped recent seasons start from zero. If you are choosing where to sit for a round in the new era, Trackside Seats compares grandstand views and prices across the MotoGP calendar.

FAQ

When do the new MotoGP rules start?

At the Thai Grand Prix in Buriram on 5 to 7 March 2027, the opening round of the 2027 to 2031 regulations cycle.

How big are MotoGP engines in 2027?

850cc, down from 1000cc, with a maximum bore of 75mm. They remain four stroke units of up to four cylinders.

Is MotoGP still on Michelin tyres?

Michelin remains the control supplier up to the end of the 2026 season. Pirelli takes over as sole supplier from 2027 under a contract that runs to 2031.

Are holeshot devices banned in MotoGP?

Yes. Both holeshot and ride-height devices are banned outright from the 2027 season.