Flashbacks to racing in the '60s, where Honda had a legendary masterpiece to date, the RC149. From the name, we might expect a 150 cc motorcycle, but Honda RC149 uses a 125 cc engine. Nevertheless, the speed of the Honda RC149 arguably the most insane in the world, even to this day.
Honda RC149 uses a 5-cylinder engine. Although it was included in the underbone class today, do not ask about its power. 4-stroke motorcycle with weight 'only' 85 kg can be driven up to 21,000 rpm and combined with a 9-speed transmission system, it could reach a maximum speed of over 210 kph.
When compared with the 250 cc class motorcycles are sold in the market today it was still not okay when dealing with these Honda RC149. The greatness of a 5-cylinder engine has proven capable of winning the World GP 1966 by defeating other racing motors which incidentally uses the 2-stroke engine at that time.
Right side view of 1966 Honda RC149 without a fairing. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1tzwYmt)
Technically, the ability of a 4-stroke motorcycle engine to compensate for the 2-stroke motors needed twice a bigger engine capacity. In that time, the average 2-stroke engine can be driven up to 10,000 rpm. To emulate 2-stroke racing motorcycle, Soichiro Honda (the founder of Honda) with his engineers design a 4-stroke engine that can be driven up to 21,000 rpm, then so be Honda RC149 is equipped with 5-parallel carburetor each measuring 18 mm which can generate power of 35 hp at 22,000 rpm maximum rotation.
The 5-parallel carburetor of 1966 Honda RC149. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1tzwYmt)
One of the most legendary of the Honda RC149 is the sound of the muffler that makes your skin crawl, and beat rivals in its class. Honda RC149 engine sound even more jarring than its brother, RC166 and RC249. Motorcycle USA, one of the leading websites and magazines in the United States called the Honda RC149 engine sounds more like an explosion than a motorcycle exhaust sound.
Wanna hear the sound of the exhaust Honda RC149? Here is the video! Please turn down the volume on your speakers first.. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOS SOURCES]
Honda RC149 uses a 5-cylinder engine. Although it was included in the underbone class today, do not ask about its power. 4-stroke motorcycle with weight 'only' 85 kg can be driven up to 21,000 rpm and combined with a 9-speed transmission system, it could reach a maximum speed of over 210 kph.
