For the first time since the introduction of the four-stroke engines in 2002, MotoGP will have an entirely V4 lineup next season.
Over the last 24 seasons, since the shift from 500cc two-stroke bikes, the competition between V and Inline engines has mostly been quite equitable.
In the realm of rider championships, V-engine motorcycles have secured 14 titles, with V5s from Honda winning two and the V4s from Honda and Ducati taking twelve additional titles.
On the other hand, Inline engines have contributed to ten championships: nine from Yamaha and one from Suzuki, with Joan Mir clinching the 2020 title.
Fabio Quartararo captured Yamaha’s latest MotoGP championship in 2021, while Suzuki concluded its participation with two wins in its final three races in 2022.
These wins mark the last significant Inline successes for the foreseeable future, as Yamaha announced it will join Ducati, Aprilia, KTM, and Honda in adopting a V4 engine for 2026.
Suzuki’s MotoGP history illustrates the dramatic changes in the sport. The Japanese manufacturer previously faced challenges with its V4 GSV-R before returning with an Inline engine in 2015, which notably led to championship success.
