The Ingenious V5 Engine: How Honda Balanced a 5-Cylinder V-Engine

🔧The Honda RC211V motorcycle featured a groundbreaking V5 engine, with three cylinders in one bank and two in the other.

🚀The V5 engine defied common logic and intuition, as most V engines have an even number of cylinders.

⚙️To achieve balance, Honda designed the engine with an angle of 75.5 degrees between the banks.

🏆The RC211V and its V5 engine achieved great success in MOTOGP, winning multiple championships and races.

🔬The V5 engine's balance is achieved by purposely creating an imbalance and using an additional piston to counterbalance it.

Why did Honda choose to create a V5 engine?

—Honda wanted to design a smaller engine than a V4 while maintaining the same displacement. The V5 configuration allowed for reduced cylinder size and a more compact overall engine.

Did the V5 engine perform well in MOTOGP?

—Yes, the V5 engine powered the Honda RC211V to great success in MOTOGP, winning multiple rider and constructor championships. It won 48 out of 82 races it entered.

How did Honda achieve balance in the V5 engine?

—Honda intentionally created an imbalance in the V4 engine design and used the additional piston in the V5 to counterbalance it. This allowed for perfect primary balance and reduced vibrations.

What is the purpose of the unique bank angle in the V5 engine?

—The 75.5 degree angle between the banks of the V5 engine allows for a shorter wheelbase, improving handling response. It also ensures that the pistons reach maximum velocity at the correct point in the engine cycle.

How do other V engines, like V4 and V6, achieve balance?

—Other V engines achieve balance through a combination of counterweights on the crankshaft and the firing order of the cylinders. The V5 engine's balance is unique due to its odd number of cylinders.

00:00In 2002, Honda introduced the RC211V motorcycle with a groundbreaking V5 engine.

07:21The V5 engine achieves balance by intentionally creating an imbalance and using an additional piston to counterbalance it.

16:30The V5 engine's unique design confuses common logic and intuition, as most V engines have an even number of cylinders.