Honda RC-166: Hailwood’s Hornet

Bikes

honda-rc166

If you’re a lover of the classic and a have an inbred desire for things mechanical, the Honda RC 166 is a thing of true, timeless beauty.

The inline six 250 was winner of 10 out of 10 races in the 1966 World Championships series and captured the Manufacturers’ and Riders’ Championships in the 250cc class for two consecutive years, as well as the Isle of Man TT of that year.

Seen here in the Guise of Mike Hailwood‘s no 7 machine, one of the things that distinguished the bike was its incredible engine note, thanks in part to its aesthetically pleasing battery of six pipes (below).

RC166

The sound is so good that, according to Hell for Leather magazine (one of our favourite bikey portals) the sound of the RC166 is now available as a ringtone!

Not sure if the fans in the Japanese TV studio in the clip below will be signing up.

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2 Responses to “Honda RC-166: Hailwood’s Hornet”

  1. Graham Hayward

    I was wonderful to hear again the fabulous sounds of the honda Rc166 I first heard in the I.O.M all those years ago,Thank you