Honda sources say that Nicky Hayden tested the 2001 RC51 while he was in Japan this week. Hayden turned a 2:10 lap time, very respectable for a first-timer at that track. Kurtis Roberts tested the bike there as well, and went a tick faster than Hayden.

Interesting news is that Japanese rider lowered the standing lap record at Suzuka into the sixes-- and was on an RC51.

Makoto Tamada, VTR 2:06.06s (new record)

Jacque, YZR500 2:07.90s

Nakano, YZR500 2:09.00s

Haga, YZR500 2:09.00s

Kurtis Roberts, VTR 2:09.70s

Nicky Hayden, VTR 2:10.00s