Modified clutch, engine and chassis components all but eliminated the chatter Hopkins had experienced on his debut in Valencia and - with test pace setter Nicky Hayden having used a qualifying tyre for his best lap - Hopkins was actually second only to Yamaha Tech 3's Colin Edwards on the final day, despite a late fall.

"It's only John's second outing on the bike and already he's gone faster on race tyres than we've ever gone here before, which is very encouraging," said Kawasaki competition manager Michael Bartholemy. "His whole approach to this test has been extremely positive and the feedback he's given to his crew and Kawasaki's engineers means we will be able to make another step forward with the bike ahead of the year's final test at Jerez.

"But, although this test has been very positive, we're under no illusions about what lies ahead. We know this is a good circuit for the Kawasaki, so it will be interesting to see how much progress we make at Jerez, which is completely different in character to Sepang," he warned.

Kawasaki team-mate Anthony West was 0.6secs slower than Hopkins.