Moriwaki MD211VF
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| Manufacturer | Moriwaki |
|---|---|
| Production | 2003–2005 |
| Predecessor | None |
| Successor | None |
| Class | MotoGP |
| Engine | 990 cc four-stroke |
| Transmission | Chain |
The Moriwaki MD211VF was a racing motorcycle made by Moriwaki Engineering, which was used in the MotoGP class of Grand Prix motorcycle racing from 2003 until 2005 in various wildcard entries. The name is an amalgamation of words and letters, namely the "MD", "F" and "211V". The "MD" stands for "Moriwaki Dream", the "F" for "Fighter" and the "211V" represents the Honda RC211V engine which powers it.[1] Another reason why it is called the "Moriwaki Dream" was because the dream of the owner of the company, Mamoru Moriwaki, was to "beat a factory team".[2]
After minor participations in the 500 and 250cc classes in the past, with riders like Shunji Yatsushiro and Osamu Hiwatashi entering back in the 1980s on Moriwaki coloured Honda NSR250, the company's owner Mamoru Moriwaki wanted to return to grand prix motorcycle racing in the early 2000s, aiming to officially return in 2004.[3] Plans to enter the class with a newly designed bike using Honda RC211V V5 engine were as early as 2001 as a result of the 500cc class coming to an end in 2002, being rebranded as the MotoGP class, but did not come to fruition until 2003 when it entered the class as a wildcard rider.[3]
Before the start of the 2003 season, Moriwaki tested their motorbike during the tests for wildcard riders at the Motegi circuit in November 2002 with Masao Okuno.[4] The bike was also fitted with Dunlop tyres.[5]