KTM puts an end to MotoGP single-bike rule plans
MotoGP is the pinnacle of motorcycle road racing, with teams spending millions each season to develop bikes and stay competitive.
One of the proposals aimed at cutting those costs was a single-bike rule that would limit each rider to one motorcycle during a race weekend, initially focusing on practice sessions.
The idea sounds simple enough, but putting it into practice would have created several problems. The proposal has now reportedly fallen through after KTM refused to support it, preventing the Motorcycle Sport Manufacturers’ Association (MSMA) from reaching the unanimous agreement needed to introduce the rule.
According to Spanish publication El Periódico, the Italians (Ducati and Aprilia) strongly supported the proposal and reportedly came close to convincing the Japanese (Honda and Yamaha), and the Austrians (KTM) to get behind it.
KTM eventually backed away, while the Japanese manufacturers were reportedly still hesitant.
The biggest concerns came from the riders and teams. What happens if a rider crashes during practice and badly damages the only bike available to him? Instead of simply jumping onto a second machine, he would have to wait for the damaged bike to be repaired before returning to the track.
The situation becomes even more complicated when the weather changes. In a flag-to-flag race, riders can currently switch to a second bike that has already been prepared with rain tires and the appropriate setup. With only one bike available, teams would instead have to change tires and make the necessary adjustments during a pit stop.
That raises questions about how much the rule would actually save and if the potential cost reduction would be worth the compromises.
There could also be a competitive disadvantage for some manufacturers. The 2027 season will bring a major technical overhaul, including smaller 850cc engines and Pirelli tires. While official lap times from the new bikes have yet to be released, private testing reportedly suggests that Ducati and Aprilia could be in a strong position heading into the new era.
With Honda, Yamaha, and KTM still working to close the performance gap, limiting each rider to one bike during practice could also restrict their ability to compare different setups and new parts back-to-back.
With two bikes currently available, a rider can test one configuration before immediately jumping onto another and compare the difference. A single-bike rule would make that process considerably more difficult.
The disagreement eventually came down to what constitutes unanimity within the MSMA. El Periódico added that some executives argued that a 4-1 vote should still qualify as unanimous. MotoGP CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta, who is reportedly opposed to the single-bike proposal, rejected that interpretation.
“Unanimity means ‘without disagreement, unanimously.’ Five out of five,” Ezpeleta reportedly said.
KTM’s opposition was enough to kill the proposal. That means MotoGP will keep its current two-bike system when the new regulations take effect in the 2027 season.
