By Peter McLaren

As previously reported, the all-new Honda is currently suffering from a lack of engine performance, which is also delaying chassis and tyre development.

The new bike made its debut immediately after the Valencian season finale, with both Hayden and Dani Pedrosa, and the American then gave it a further three-day outing at Sepang last week.

"This is the same bike we had at Valencia," said Hayden, speaking at the back of the Repsol Honda pits at Sepang. "They hope for Jerez we can have some new stuff, which is good because for testing tyres and testing the chassis we need a bit more power. They've got some ideas to improve a few things. Nothing major. Possibly some new exhausts.

"The new bike also seems like it'll need slightly different tyres," revealed the 2006 world champion. "We'll see what happens when we get some more power, but as of right now we're able to run softer tyres than we would have on the old bike."

Despite the need for increased performance from the pneumatic-valve engine, Hayden still feels the 2008 is in a better position than the 2007 bike was at this time last year.

"I really think we've got a better package than what we started with last year," Nicky stated. "Sure riders always expect the moon, want everything and I'm no different - I'd have liked the new bike to roll out perfect - but it's not that easy. Even the Ducati didn't just roll out perfect. They had to make it work."

Hayden was fastest of all at the Sepang test, using a qualifying tyre on the '07 bike, but told Crash.net that the 2008 is currently "at least one second slower".

Pedrosa was the only Honda rider to win a grand prix last year, taking two victories on his way to second place in the world championship.

The Jerez test, the final outing before the winter test ban, will take place from November 27-29.