Stoner tests Honda’s production racer

Casey Stoner has finally got a chance to test the new Honda RC Production Racer after his previous attempts to do so were hampered by inclement weather in Japan.

In the morning of his third HRC test at the Twin Ring Motegi, Stoner rode the 2014 RC213V factory machine, before hopping on the privateer RC for the afternoon.

The main differences between the Production Racer and factory RCV are that the cheaper RC has spring valves, opposed to the more desired pneumatic ones. It also won’t have the much coveted seamless shift gearbox and will have the standard ECU system.

“Unfortunately the weather played a big role in this test which was a little frustrating not to be able to share the workload over the two days,” said Stoner.

“We tried to do everything today but it was a little difficult, and we also had the threat of rain again. We started with the current RCV, trying to find a base setting and then work from there. We had two variations of chassis’ to try and some big modifications and improvements in my opinion.

“We also tried the production bike which was more impressive than I predicted. It had a similar feeling to the RCV but with a little less power and a different feeling in engine braking. With some small modifications I believe this bike will be competitive and I look forward to the next test with it! In general it was a good, but busy day!”

These comments will be music to the ears of Karel Abraham, who’s Cardion AB team will be switching from the ART machine to the Honda, and to Scott Redding, who is stepping up to MotoGP with the Gresini team and will ride a Production Racer in his first season.