Honda has launched a test session at Malaysia’s Sepang circuit ahead of official pre-season testing for MotoGP at the same venue in February, with this week’s running set to stretch until Thursday.
As well as regular Kousuke Akiyoshi, the HRC research and development team also invited Honda Ten Kate World Superbike rider Jonathan Rea to take part in proceedings. In pleasant conditions, a full day of work with the RC212V bike was only broken up by an hour-long rain shower.
“Today I had great fun learning a MotoGP bike and the Sepang circuit is impressive!” commented 23-year-old Rea from Ballymena in Northern Ireland, 2008 Supersport World Championship runner-up. “My body is still not 100 percent and that is a pity, but I had a very good day with the HRC test team.
“I have spent almost all my career on production-derived bikes, I just rode a 125 GP a few years ago, and today I had a good feeling riding the RCV212. The bike feels very powerful, the engine revs higher than my CBR1000R and it’s easy to change direction.
“I’d like to thank HRC and Honda Europe for this opportunity. I’m looking forward to the next two days of testing.”
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