Honda has taken another important step in preparing for the future of MotoGP. The Japanese company has just finished a private two-day test at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia, where it worked again on its brand-new 2027 prototype bike, called the RC214V.

The test took place on Thursday and Friday and was mainly focused on learning how the new bike behaves in dry conditions. Honda first tried the RC214V in December, but heavy rain at that time meant the team could not collect much useful data. This week’s test was much more helpful because the track stayed dry, allowing longer and clearer runs.

Former MotoGP rider Takaaki Nakagami was in charge of riding the 2027 bike. Honda trusts him with the early development of this new machine, which is being built for the new MotoGP rules that will start in 2027. These rules include smaller 850cc engines and a change of tyre supplier from Michelin to Pirelli.

While Nakagami works on the future bike, another Honda test rider, Aleix Espargaro, is still focused on improving the current RC213V, which will be used in the 2026 season. Honda’s full-time MotoGP riders this year are Joan Mir, Luca Marini, Johann Zarco and rookie Diogo Moreira.

Honda has already planned when it will fully switch attention to the 2027 project. After the Catalan Grand Prix on 17 May, there will be an official MotoGP test in Barcelona on 18 May for final work on the 2026 bikes. From 19 May onwards, Aleix Espargaro will also move his full focus to the RC214V.

Honda is not alone in preparing for 2027. KTM has already tested its new RC16 bike in Jerez with Pol Espargaro. Yamaha quietly ran its own 2027 machine at its private Iwata circuit in Japan. Ducati and Aprilia are the only two manufacturers still waiting to test their new bikes. Both will do so in mid-March at Jerez.

During that test, Aprilia will use Lorenzo Savadori, while Ducati will send Nicolo Bulega to ride its GP27 bike with Pirelli tyres. Ducati’s long-time tester Michele Pirro will continue working on the 2026 bike with Michelin tyres.

The first official MotoGP test with full-time riders on Pirelli tyres will take place in Brno on 22 June, one day after the Czech Grand Prix.

However, the Sepang test also included Honda riders from the World Superbike programme. Somkiat Chantra and Jake Dixon both rode the race version of the CBR1000RR-R.

Unfortunately, Chantra suffered a crash and was taken to hospital in Kuala Lumpur. Honda later confirmed that X-rays showed a broken right forearm. He has now returned to Thailand, where doctors will check his injury again and decide on his recovery plan.

Despite this setback, Honda’s overall test programme shows that the company is working hard to be ready for MotoGP’s big technical changes in 2027. The early signs suggest that the RC214V project is now properly underway.