Honda not satisfied with new bike yet

Honda had a difficult season in 2007, taking only two victories thanks to Dani Pedrosa. Rivals Ducati won 11 races and sealed both titles as Honda's RC212V proved no match for the Italian marque's GP7 bike.

Honda have been hard at work to rectify the situation, but Yasutake admits there is still some way to go.

"We've solved many of the problems the first RC212V had, even though we certainly aren't at a satisfactory level with the new bike," Yasutake was quoted as saying by Motosprint magazine.

"In its first version, the new engine had a very aggressive power output. After the November test we gathered the indications of the riders and now the engine on track has evolved a lot.

"All the bike has changed: maybe it can't be seen from the outside, but by carrying on modifying details the bike is very different now."

Yasutake says both Pedrosa and teammate Nicky Hayden have offered more positive feedback about the new bike, although the American said the new engine seemed slower than the old one.

"Actually their comments are now a lot more positive than before. Even Pedrosa, who was always very critical and sceptical, has started to be more positive."

On Hayden's comments about the engine, Yasutake said: "It is only because we haven't yet found the right set-up. That's the problem.

"This engine has a much bigger potential: it has more power and the revs are higher. The situation has already improved after this three-day test (at Sepang)."