MotoGP May Reduce Riders to One Motorcycle Per Team Starting in 2027

MotoGP organizers are reportedly evaluating a major regulation change that could allow riders to use only one motorcycle during race weekends beginning in the 2027 season.

The proposal is currently being discussed as part of broader negotiations involving MotoGP management, manufacturers, and team representatives ahead of the next commercial agreement cycle running from 2027 to 2031. According to reports from the paddock, championship officials believe the move could significantly reduce operational costs and simplify race logistics across the grid. 

Under the current MotoGP format, every rider has access to two bikes during a race weekend. This setup allows competitors to quickly swap motorcycles in changing weather conditions or after technical problems. If the new proposal is approved, riders would need to complete entire sessions and races using only one machine. 

The possible rule adjustment is connected to the sport’s wider technical overhaul planned for 2027. MotoGP will already introduce smaller 850cc engines, reduced aerodynamics, stricter fuel limits, and bans on ride-height devices as part of the next generation of regulations designed to improve safety and lower development expenses. 

Supporters of the one-bike concept argue that the change could help smaller teams manage budgets more efficiently while also reducing the amount of equipment transported during the season. Fewer motorcycles would also lower the number of spare components and personnel required inside each garage. 

However, the idea has already sparked debate inside the MotoGP paddock. Critics believe eliminating the second bike could create major complications during flag-to-flag races, where riders currently enter the pit lane to switch machines when weather conditions suddenly change. Without a backup motorcycle, teams may need entirely new strategies for wet and dry race situations. 

Manufacturers are also carefully studying how the proposal could impact rider safety and competitive fairness. Teams fear that crashes during practice or qualifying sessions could severely limit preparation time if only one motorcycle is available for each rider throughout the weekend. 

The discussions come during a period of significant transformation for MotoGP. Alongside the possible one-bike system, organizers are already finalizing several other major reforms for 2027, including the removal of wildcard entries and the introduction of new technical standards intended to make racing closer and more sustainable financially. 

Although no final decision has been announced, the proposal highlights how aggressively MotoGP is preparing for its new era. If approved, the single-bike rule would become one of the most radical changes in modern grand prix motorcycle racing history. 

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