Honda test 2027 bike as MotoGP prepares for F1-style regulation overhaul

In a short montage, the Honda HRC reserve rider can be seen trying out the new machinery around the legendary circuit, which has seen some of the most dramatic chapters in MotoGP's history unfold on its asphalt.

The new era of MotoGP bikes, which will run at a reduced engine size of 850cc in addition to using sustainable fuels, will mark the first major engine overhaul since 1000cc was standardized back in 2012.

Honda showed Nakagami taking the bike out on a rainy Sepang track, so it's unlikely that any significant data could be analysed from the session in terms of lap times.

The new bikes, considerably lighter than the current era of 1000cc monsters, are believed to be more agile and easier to corner while suffering a slight speed reduction on straights as a result.

Reigning champion Marc Marquez has also recently commented on the overhaul, stating that he believes the new bikes have the potential to be just as quick as the current era.

"They decided to reduce the engine displacement, which I agree with, especially because in many circuits we were getting close to 360km/h."

"I think that’s an unnecessary speed for the show, and it increases the risk a lot. [...] There was another issue as well: the run-off areas at many circuits were starting to become too small because riders were arriving faster to that point."

"We need big run-off areas, because if something goes wrong, the wall starts to look closer."

The new regulations are designed to do precisely this, reducing absolute top speed in favour of more nimble - and hopefully more competitively balanced - bikes.

For the last few seasons, Ducati's supreme engine power has placed them as the dominant force in MotoGP, with their podium-streak of 88 consecutive races only being broken at this year's Thai Grand Prix.