Honda Production Racer has ‘power problem’ says Hayden

AFTER the first day of testing at Sepang, Drive M7 Aspar rider Nicky Hayden has expressed concerns regarding the power of the Honda Production Racer after finishing the day in 17th.

The American managed to set his fastest time of 2’03.319 over three seconds slower than Spain’s Marc Marquez.

Aleix Espargaro who will be competing alongside Hayden in the Open Class finished almost two seconds ahead of the 2006 world champion.  

Speaking at Sepang, Hayden said: “We got a lot of work to do. I'm not completely thrilled because we are quite far off the front guys. Everything is clicking away, it's just the first day.

“The electronics were definitely better than in Valencia, they have smoothed out a couple of the flat spots, but we have to still work a lot on acceleration and the engine because that is where we are losing the most, along these big straights and out of the slow corners.”

Hayden continued: “It think it is a power problem. Of course, we can try to help with electronics but now we are basically full power everywhere. Once I started going a little faster I started to get a little chatter, but that's normal for here. For sure we need more power.”

The 32-year-old is accompanied by three other riders who are also on the Honda RCV1000R. Team-mate Hiroshi Aoyama, GO&FUN Honda Gresini’s Scott Redding and Cardion AB Motoracing’s Karel Abraham finished in 18th, 21st, and 26th respectively.

Britain’s Scott Redding finished over one second behind Hayden with a time of 2’04.431.

“My exit feels good but we are struggling with the brakes. There is not so much power with the Nissins at the moment but they are working on that,” said Redding.

“I need to work a little on my entry and with the electronics on the exit, I am asking for more but it's not yet giving me it.”