Honda lastly confirmed some progress in WorldSBK on the finish of final season, difficult for top-six positions within the remaining races of the yr, and the beginning of 2025 has continued in that route regardless of a change in suspension manufacturers.
After utilizing Showa since 2022, Honda has reverted to Ohlins – which it final utilized in 2021 – for 2025, and the primary impressions have been optimistic.
“It’s been fairly good,” HRC group supervisor Jose Escamez stated of Honda’s preliminary time again on Ohlins when chatting with WorldSBK.com.
“We’ve got discovered, shortly, the best approach to maintain going. We’ve got been working to discover a good base setup, and this may assist the riders really feel comfy for lap occasions.
“After all, and there are some variations with the earlier suspension we’ve been utilizing.
“Simply attempting to grasp, however there’s not a lot distinction, although.
“There’s a small enchancment in efficiency and likewise suggestions from riders. It’s a good sufficient purpose to allow them to journey with this one.”
Iker Lecuona is lacking this week’s check via damage, and stated that the change in suspension makes it
“It’s [the suspension brand change] one more reason that I’m not blissful to not soar on the bike,” Lecuona stated.
“We modified the model, we modified the total suspension, so that could be a massive change on the bike.
“For positive I don’t know the way a lot [the Ohlins suspension has] modified the bike, in comparison with the Showa from final yr. Let’s see in Portimao if I can strive [it].”
Usually, regardless of the absence of Lecuona, HRC’s first day of testing in 2025 had been optimistic, in accordance with Escamez, as they’d picked up from the place they left off on the finish of 2024.
“The day has been good as a result of the climate has revered the predictions from Tuesday,” Escamez stated on the finish of the primary day of testing in Jerez.
“To this point, we’re adequate, we are able to say, however not blissful in any respect. It’s fairly good.
“Xavi [Vierge] has been doing laps and every part appears as we anticipated.
“This implies we’re in the identical manner that we completed final yr, which is already a optimistic level. We’re nonetheless trying ahead.”
