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Honda Tests 2012 MotoGP Bike

Although the 2011 MotoGP season has just began, the championship's big guns have already switched part of their organizational focus on the 2012 machines. And the reason is quite simple, as the next season will mark the debut of the 1000cc engine rules in the premier motorcycling racing series.

After Ducati, who has already conducted an official testing session on their initial-spec 2012 Desmosedici with riders Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden earlier this month, Honda also decided to put its 2012-spec bike through it paces for the first time this year, but only in the hands of two of its test riders.

According to a report from motogp.com, HRC test rider Kousuke Akiyoshi and former 500cc rider Tadayuki Okada have conducted a private testing meeting on the Suzuka Circuit one week prior to Easter, between April 14-15.

The report did not mention anything else about the testing session, as this was thought to be more of a low-profile shakedown of Honda's 2012 machinery. In addition, a date is yet to be confirmed by Honda for allowing its official riders to test the machine.

After Ducati and Honda, Yamaha are the next in line to test their 2012-spec M1, as the same report suggests that both reigning champion Jorge Lorenzo and teammate Ben Spies are scheduled to get on the saddle of the new bike sometime in July, on the Mugello circuit. As far as the other MotoGP bike manufacturer goes, Suzuki, it's yet unclear whether the Japanese maker will continue with its MotoGP operations next year or not, considering the fact that they have already reduced their 2011 efforts to one bike.
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