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Honda’s RC166 was a 250cc Grand Prix motorcycle with a four-stroke inline-six designed to make more than 60 PS at 18,000 rpm. Honda later described the sound of its six open exhaust pipes as “music to race fans of the 1960s.” The exact claim that spectators cringed or covered their ears—and any measured loudness figure—cannot be verified from the cited sources.
What was the Honda RC166, and how loud was it?
Introduced for the 1966 season, the RC166 was Honda’s 249.42cc Grand Prix racer. Its engine’s six cylinders and 18,000-rpm power specification are documented by Honda; a decibel reading or specific account of spectators covering their ears is not established by the cited historical sources.
Honda Motor Europe characterized the engine’s sound through its six open pipes as “music to race fans of the 1960s.” That is the manufacturer’s subjective description, not a sound-pressure measurement or a named witness’s account: Honda Motor Europe’s RC166 history.
How did Honda engineer a 250cc inline-six?
Honda’s published specification describes an air-cooled, four-stroke inline-six with double overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. Honda lists output above 60 PS at 18,000 rpm, a seven-speed gearbox, a 112 kg weight and a maximum speed above 240 km/h. These are manufacturer-published historical figures, not results from an independent test.
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| RC166 specification | Honda’s published figure |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 249.42cc |
| Engine | Air-cooled, four-stroke inline-six; DOHC; four valves per cylinder |
| Maximum output | Over 60 PS at 18,000 rpm |
| Transmission | Seven-speed |
| Weight | 112 kg |
| Maximum speed | Over 240 km/h |
Honda’s RC166 historical specifications and Japanese specification and race-history page supply these figures. The pages do not establish a test method for the speed or power figures, so they should be read as Honda specifications rather than independently verified measurements.
Why did Honda build it?
Honda’s account places the six-cylinder design in a competition context: two-stroke rivals were becoming stronger in the 250cc class, and Honda pursued a higher-revving four-stroke response. The RC166’s elaborate engine was therefore not just a technical curiosity; it was Honda’s answer to pressure from rival designs at the top level of Grand Prix racing. Honda explains the development in its road-racing machine history.
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- Authentically captures features specific to the '14 RC213V, such as the merged front air intake duct.
- Clear parts are included to recreate windshield (no cementing required) and tank grips.
- Synthetic rubber parts recreate racing slick tires.
- Use of minute screws to attach parts gives precise assembly. Front, side and tail cowls, plus tank cover can be removed after assembly. Tail cowl-mounted camera is depicted using separate parts.
- Decals are included to recreate the No. 93 motorcycle ridden by 2014 champion Marc Marquez.
How successful was the RC166 in Grand Prix racing?
Honda’s history credits Mike Hailwood with ten wins from the ten races he entered on the RC166 in 1966. Honda’s accounts also report that the company retained the rider and manufacturer titles in 1967; its historical summary credits Hailwood with five victories and Ralph Bryans with two that season. These are Honda’s reported race results, and the ten-win figure refers specifically to races Hailwood entered—not an independently established season-wide denominator.
For the 1966 result, see Honda Japan’s RC166 account; Honda’s historical overview gives the 1967 context.
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- Package Dimensions: 36.0 cms (L) x 20.4 cms (W) x 6.4 cms (H)
- Product Type: Toy Figure
- Package Quantity: 1
- Country Of Origin: Philippines
Can you build a scale model of the RC166?
Tamiya documents a 1/12 Honda RC166 GP Racer plastic assembly kit, item 14113. It is a model kit that requires assembly, not a ready-to-ride motorcycle. See Tamiya’s kit information for the product details.
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- Detailed model kit in scale 1:12.
- The high-quality kit from TAMIYA must be assembled by the customer.
- Self-assembly is accompanied by step-by-step and illustrated assembly instructions. The assembly instructions are of course included.
- The precisely fitting individual parts must be assembled according to the assembly instructions. The parts can be painted according to your own idea.
- Tools, glue and paint are not included with the plastic sealant. These should be purchased optionally.
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