PICTURES: Inside the Honda RC211V.

Last weekend's Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi saw Honda take the unprecedented step of opening up its RC211V's 990cc V5 MotoGP engine for the media.

Since being introduced for the 2002 season, the RCV has won the MotoGP Constructors' World Championship for Honda in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006. Valentino Rossi also took it to riders' world championship glory in 2002 and 2003, before moving to Yamaha, but Nicky Hayden has put the RCV back on top - with just two races to go - in 2006.

Honda RC211V frame, Japanese MotoGP 2006
Honda RC211V frame, Japanese MotoGP 2006
© Gold and Goose

Last weekend's Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi saw Honda take the unprecedented step of opening up its RC211V's 990cc V5 MotoGP engine for the media.

Since being introduced for the 2002 season, the RCV has won the MotoGP Constructors' World Championship for Honda in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006. Valentino Rossi also took it to riders' world championship glory in 2002 and 2003, before moving to Yamaha, but Nicky Hayden has put the RCV back on top - with just two races to go - in 2006.

CLICK HERE to see all 32 pictures of the Honda RC211V engine in various stages of assembly.

The RC211V will race for the final time at Valencia on October 29. Honda will then field a brand new V4 powered racer in the new 800cc MotoGP era, which begins next season.

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