Here's What Joan Mir Thinks Of THe Honda - "Very Different Bike"
Categories: MotoGP
After Suzuki’s departure, Joan Mir meets MotoGP’s problem child – the Honda. The 2021 World Champion explains what he thinks of his new bike.
With Joan Mir’s knowledge of the Suzuki bike of the last three years, Honda is hoping for another boost in the fight to return to the top of MotoGP.
A new perspective is needed at Honda – Image provided by Getty Images
Due to Suzuki’s departure from MotoGP, the Spaniard moves from the best-riding bike to the problem child of the premier class.
Since the 2020 version of the RC213V, Honda’s performance has plummeted. A stronger change of the concept only led to more problems.
With the 2023 season starting soon, Honda is hoping for a return to its old strength; after all, it cannot afford another season in last place in the constructors’ championship.
But despite the awareness of the problems, the signs for the upcoming campaign are not good.
Honda’s top star Marc Marquez has been complaining for months about the lack of progress in development, and Honda test rider Stefan Bradl sometimes appears desperate in interviews.
The Japanese were all the more eager to see the first reaction of Honda newcomer Joan Mir. He attests to a certain difficulty in manoeuvring his new bike, especially with the Suzuki from last season.
“It’s a very different bike [from the Suzuki]; it has to be driven differently and you can gain a lot of time in corner entry.”
According to both the 2020 World Champion and his former teammate Alex Rins, the Honda’s performance development is different.
“It delivers power in a very different way than I have experienced before,” explained Mir, who believes an adjustment to his own riding style is possible. Hondaveteran Marc Marquez is said to serve as a role model.
At the post-season test in Valencia, Mir already had the chance to learn a thing or two from his new team-mate. He will get another chance at the pre-season tests from 10 to 12 February in Sepang.
