Moriwaki
Moriwaki Engineering is a Japanese specialist engineering and motorcycle-performance brand known for racing technology, chassis development, exhaust systems, and high-performance motorcycle parts.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Moriwaki Engineering is a Japanese specialist engineering company and racing brand based in Suzuka, a city closely associated with Japanese motorsport. Founded in 1973 by Mamoru Moriwaki, the company developed from the founder's experience as a motorcycle racer, tuner, and mechanic working with Hideo “Pops” Yoshimura. Moriwaki did not receive formal engineering training; he developed his technical knowledge independently while working in Yoshimura's operation and studying mechanical engineering through books. That practical, competition-oriented background shaped Moriwaki's identity as a company that uses racing as a testing ground for components, engines, frames, and vehicle setup. The business initially became recognized for modifying engines and constructing frames for Kawasaki's Z1 superbike. Its reputation expanded through success in major endurance and superbike events. In the late 1970s, New Zealand rider Graeme Crosby and other riders achieved strong results on Moriwaki-prepared Kawasaki machinery, including a third-place finish at the 1978 Suzuka 8 Hours. Moriwaki motorcycles subsequently took pole position at the 1979 and 1981 Suzuka 8 Hours, competing ahead of established factory teams. These results helped establish the company as an independent technical force rather than merely an aftermarket parts supplier. A major engineering milestone came in 1981, when Moriwaki developed an aluminum frame for large-capacity motorcycles. The design was used in competition with riders including Wayne Gardner and John Pace. Gardner's performances on Moriwaki machinery, including a fourth-place result at the 1981 Daytona Superbike race and a race win in the British championship, contributed to his later move into factory Honda racing and his eventual 1987 500cc world championship. Moriwaki's involvement in racing therefore extended beyond the direct results of its own team: it also served as a development environment for riders and engineers who later became prominent in international motorcycle competition. During the 1980s, Moriwaki developed a close technical relationship with Honda Racing Corporation. It became the first outside company permitted to use one of Honda's racing engines, an indication of the credibility it had built through chassis and race-development work. The relationship continued into the modern prototype-racing era. From 2003 to 2005, Moriwaki competed in the premier MotoGP class using Honda's RC211V engine in a Moriwaki-designed frame. Although the program did not become a sustained factory-level MotoGP operation, it gave Moriwaki experience with high-level prototype design and competition. Moriwaki later achieved a major international championship result in Moto2. In 2010, a Moriwaki-framed machine operated by Gresini Racing won the inaugural Moto2 championship. Toni Elias won seven races on the MD600 and secured the title with a fourth-place finish at the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang. The result demonstrated Moriwaki's ability to produce a competitive chassis under Moto2's controlled-engine regulations, where teams may differentiate themselves primarily through frame, suspension, bodywork, and vehicle-development expertise. The company has also remained active in production-based racing and endurance competition. In late 2018, Moriwaki and Honda Racing Corporation announced a partnership to operate Honda Fireblade motorcycles in the 2019 Superbike World Championship. The program combined Moriwaki's Japanese racing expertise with the Europe-based Althea Racing organization and fielded Leon Camier and Ryuichi Kiyonari. Midori Moriwaki was associated with the management of Moriwaki endurance-racing programs before taking a senior role in the World Superbike collaboration. Alongside racing, Moriwaki's commercial identity encompasses high-performance motorcycle components and accessories, including exhaust-related products, engine and chassis parts, and race-oriented equipment. The available reference material does not establish a complete current product catalogue, ownership structure, financial profile, or present competition schedule. Moriwaki is best understood as an engineering-led motorcycle-performance brand whose reputation rests on independent technical development, close manufacturer partnerships, and a long connection between competition programs and customer-oriented performance products.
History
Mamoru Moriwaki began his motorcycle career as a racer and tuner associated with Hideo “Pops” Yoshimura. While working in Yoshimura's operation, he learned engineering through practical experience and independent study rather than formal engineering education. He also competed successfully in automobile racing, driving a Yoshimura-prepared Honda S800 to a class victory in the 1970 6 Hours of Fuji and a GTS1-class result at the 1971 Japan Grand Prix. When Yoshimura moved his business to the United States in 1971, Moriwaki chose to remain in Japan. After Yoshimura encountered financial difficulties following an American business transaction, Moriwaki helped him re-establish his operation. Moriwaki then founded Moriwaki Engineering in Suzuka in 1973. The company first gained recognition by modifying engines and building frames for Kawasaki Z1 motorcycles. Competition quickly became central to the company's development. Moriwaki-prepared Kawasaki motorcycles achieved strong Australian Superbike results with Graeme Crosby and reached the podium at the 1978 Suzuka 8 Hours. Moriwaki machines qualified on pole at the 1979 and 1981 editions of the endurance race, demonstrating that an independent engineering operation could outperform or outqualify factory-backed entries. In 1981, the company introduced an aluminum frame for large-capacity motorcycles and raced it with Wayne Gardner and John Pace. Gardner's results on Moriwaki machinery helped launch his subsequent factory Honda career. In the 1980s, Moriwaki became closely linked with Honda Racing Corporation and was granted access to a Honda racing engine as an outside engineering partner. The relationship later extended to prototype racing. Moriwaki entered the MotoGP premier class from 2003 through 2005 with Honda RC211V power and a Moriwaki-designed frame. Its most prominent modern racing achievement came in 2010, when Gresini Racing used a Moriwaki MD600 chassis to win the inaugural Moto2 championship with Toni Elias. Moto2 rules controlled the engine and several consumable categories, making chassis and setup development especially important. Moriwaki continued to combine racing operations with specialist product development. Its activities include motorcycle performance parts, exhaust-related equipment, engine and chassis components, frames, and accessories. In 2018, the company and Honda Racing Corporation announced a partnership for the 2019 World Superbike Championship. The Honda Fireblade program was run with European partner Althea Racing and used Leon Camier and Ryuichi Kiyonari as riders. Midori Moriwaki had previously been involved in managing Moriwaki endurance programs. The available reference material does not provide verified details about current ownership, leadership succession, financial performance, or the company's present competition calendar.
- 2018
Honda World Superbike collaboration announced
[1]Moriwaki and Honda Racing Corporation announced a joint Honda Fireblade program for the 2019 World Superbike season.
- 2010
MD600 wins the inaugural Moto2 title
[1]A Gresini Racing motorcycle using the Moriwaki MD600 chassis won the first Moto2 championship with Toni Elias.
- 2005
End of Moriwaki's cited MotoGP period
[1]The company's documented MotoGP participation ran through the 2005 season.
- 2003
Moriwaki enters MotoGP
[1]Moriwaki began a premier-class MotoGP program using Honda RC211V power and a Moriwaki-designed frame.
- 1981
Large-capacity aluminum frame development
[1]Moriwaki developed an aluminum frame for large-capacity motorcycles and entered the design in international competition.
- 1981
Moriwaki and Wayne Gardner race internationally
[1]Wayne Gardner and John Pace qualified a Moriwaki Kawasaki on pole at Suzuka; Gardner later finished fourth at Daytona and won a British championship race.
- 1980
Second place in Suzuka 8 Hours qualifying
[1]Dave Aldana and David Emde qualified second for the Suzuka 8 Hours, ahead of Kawasaki's official factory-backed entry.
- 1979
Moriwaki Kawasaki takes Suzuka 8 Hours pole
[1]Graeme Crosby and Akitaka Tomie qualified a Moriwaki Kawasaki on pole position ahead of major factory racing teams.
- 1978
Suzuka 8 Hours podium
[1]Graeme Crosby and Tony Hatton finished third at the Suzuka 8 Hours on Moriwaki Kawasaki machinery.
- 1973
Moriwaki Engineering is founded
[1]Mamoru Moriwaki established Moriwaki Engineering in Suzuka, Japan, beginning the company's independent specialist engineering and racing operations.
Products and positioning
A specialist, racing-led Japanese engineering brand positioned around high-performance motorcycle development, competition-proven chassis and engine technology, and premium aftermarket components.
Motorcycle aftermarket components
Moriwaki performance parts
Moriwaki develops and sells specialist high-performance parts and accessories for motorcycles. The documented product scope includes components intended for engine, chassis, and race preparation applications. The brand's commercial proposition is closely connected to its competition work, although the available reference does not provide a complete current catalogue or detailed model-by-model specifications.
Motorcycle chassis · 1981
Large-capacity aluminum frames
In 1981, Moriwaki developed an aluminum frame for large-capacity motorcycles. The design was raced in international competition and became an important demonstration of the company's independent chassis-engineering capability. The frame program helped distinguish Moriwaki from conventional component suppliers by placing structural vehicle development at the center of its racing identity.
Moto2 racing chassis · 2010
Moriwaki MD600
The MD600 was a Moriwaki racing chassis used by Gresini Racing in the inaugural Moto2 season. Toni Elias won seven races on the machine and secured the 2010 championship. Because Moto2 used controlled engines and regulated fuel, oil, brakes, and tires, chassis design, suspension development, and setup were central areas in which the MD600 could compete.
World Superbike racing motorcycle · 2019
Moriwaki Honda Fireblade race motorcycle
For the 2019 World Superbike Championship, Moriwaki worked with Honda Racing Corporation and Althea Racing on Honda Fireblade race machinery. The program used Moriwaki's Japanese racing and engineering experience within a European championship structure and fielded Leon Camier and Ryuichi Kiyonari.
Marketing campaigns
- 2019Honda Fireblade World Superbike program
Europe · Japan · International
Moriwaki, Honda Racing Corporation, and Althea Racing collaborated on a Honda Fireblade entry for the World Superbike Championship. The project extended Moriwaki's racing presence into a globally promoted production-based series.
Outcome. The team competed with Leon Camier and Ryuichi Kiyonari; the available reference does not provide a complete season outcome.
- 2010Moto2 championship program
International
The Moriwaki MD600 chassis was operated by Gresini Racing in the newly established Moto2 category, where controlled engines made chassis and setup performance especially important.
Outcome. Toni Elias won the inaugural Moto2 championship with seven race victories.
- 1981International aluminum-frame racing program
Japan · United Kingdom · United States
Moriwaki promoted its newly developed aluminum frame through competition at Suzuka, Daytona, and the British championship, using the results to validate its chassis technology.
Outcome. Suzuka pole position, a fourth-place Daytona Superbike result, and a British championship race win were recorded during the program.
- 1979Suzuka 8 Hours pole-position effort
Japan
Moriwaki entered a Kawasaki developed through its independent engineering program, with Graeme Crosby and Akitaka Tomie qualifying ahead of the major factory teams.
Outcome. Pole position for the Moriwaki Kawasaki.
- 1978Suzuka 8 Hours endurance racing program
Japan
Moriwaki used the Suzuka 8 Hours as a high-visibility test of its Kawasaki-based motorcycle preparation. Graeme Crosby and Tony Hatton delivered a third-place finish, strengthening the company's reputation among Japanese and international superbike audiences.
Outcome. Third place at the 1978 Suzuka 8 Hours.
Brand decisions
2018
Form a Honda World Superbike collaborationM&ABackground
Honda replaced its previous World Superbike alliance and sought a more directly supported relationship involving Moriwaki and a European operating partner.
Action taken
Moriwaki and Honda Racing Corporation announced a Fireblade program with Althea Racing for the 2019 championship.
Aftermath
The partnership placed Moriwaki in a prominent international production-based racing series with Leon Camier and Ryuichi Kiyonari.
2010
Develop the MD600 Moto2 chassisProduct launchBackground
Moto2 regulations controlled engines and several consumable categories, increasing the competitive importance of chassis, suspension, and setup engineering.
Action taken
Moriwaki supplied the MD600 chassis used by Gresini Racing.
Aftermath
Toni Elias won the inaugural Moto2 championship, making the MD600 Moriwaki's most prominent documented modern racing product.
2003
Enter the MotoGP premier classStrategyBackground
Moriwaki had established a technical relationship with Honda Racing Corporation and sought to apply its chassis expertise at prototype-racing level.
Action taken
The company entered MotoGP machinery using a Honda RC211V engine in a Moriwaki-designed frame.
Aftermath
The documented program continued through 2005 and gave Moriwaki experience in premier-class prototype development.
1981
Introduce an aluminum frame for large-capacity motorcyclesProduct launchBackground
Moriwaki sought to extend its engineering role beyond engine modification and establish a competitive chassis capability.
Action taken
The company developed and raced an aluminum frame for large-capacity motorcycles.
Aftermath
The frame program produced strong qualifying and race results and reinforced Moriwaki's reputation as a complete motorcycle engineering specialist.
1973
Establish an independent Japanese engineering companyStrategyBackground
After choosing to remain in Japan rather than follow Pops Yoshimura's move to the United States, Mamoru Moriwaki created an independent operation in Suzuka.
Action taken
Moriwaki founded Moriwaki Engineering and focused on motorcycle tuning, frame construction, and competition development.
Aftermath
The company developed a long-term identity based on independent racing engineering and performance parts.
Recent events
- 2019
Moriwaki Honda team enters the 2019 World Superbike Championship[1]
Other · Product generation
The Moriwaki-led Honda Fireblade program competed in World Superbikes with Leon Camier and Ryuichi Kiyonari, extending Moriwaki's role from specialist Japanese racing programs into a major international production-based championship.
- 2018
Moriwaki and Honda Racing Corporation announce a World Superbike partnership[1]
M&A · Other
At EICMA, Moriwaki and Honda Racing Corporation announced that they would collaborate on Honda Fireblade machinery for the 2019 World Superbike Championship, with Althea Racing involved in the European operating structure.
- 2010
Moriwaki-framed machine wins the inaugural Moto2 championship[1]
Other · Product generation
A Moriwaki-framed motorcycle operated by Gresini Racing won the first Moto2 riders' championship with Toni Elias, who recorded seven victories during the season.
Sources2 sources
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