AIKI CHASES HONDA BREAKTHROUGH
Few changes in motorcycle racing demand as much patience and adaptability as switching manufacturers. For Aiki Iyoshi of TEAM SDG WITH HARC-PRO, the 2026 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship season has brought exactly that challenge.
After spending previous seasons aboard Kawasaki machinery, the Japanese rider made the significant decision to switch to Honda for his AP250 campaign. While the move offered exciting new possibilities, it also required Aiki to start a new learning process, adapting his riding style and understanding a machine with characteristics vastly different from what he had become accustomed to.
As the championship prepares for Round 3 at Mobility Resort Motegi, Japan, Aiki arrives at his home round encouraged by the progress made during the opening two rounds and optimistic about what lies ahead.
The transition, however, has been far from straightforward.
“I’ve switched from Kawasaki to Honda, and the process has involved learning many new things. We are still exploring different setup directions and trying to better understand how to unlock the full potential of the motorcycle. There is still a lot to learn, but the important thing is that we are moving in a positive direction. Every session gives us new information, and I can feel that we are making steady progress.”
Despite the challenges, Aiki believes the Honda package has already revealed promising characteristics that could become major strengths as the season progresses.
“Looking back at the first two rounds, I am reasonably satisfied with the progress we have made, although there is still much more to come. The Honda is very light and easy to handle, which gives me confidence in many areas of the circuit. Of course, every machine has its strengths and weaknesses, and there are still aspects we need to improve. But I believe both the bike and I will continue to develop from the next race onward.”
Having spent years racing Kawasaki machinery, Aiki has quickly noticed that the Honda demands a different approach.
“The strengths of the Honda are completely different from the Kawasaki. The bike has very good torque and its lightweight nature helps in changing direction and managing the motorcycle during races. At the same time, there are areas where we still need to improve stability. If we can maximize the strengths while continuing to improve the weaker areas, I believe the results will naturally follow.”
While the adaptation process remains ongoing, Aiki is excited by the potential that still remains untapped.
“I do not think I am yet able to fully unleash my potential with this motorcycle. There are still things I am learning every time I ride. But that is also what makes this challenge exciting. I strongly believe there is much more performance to come, and I am looking forward to discovering it together with the team.”
Building confidence with a completely new machine while racing against competitors who already have years of experience on their packages can be difficult. Yet Aiki’s confidence continues to grow with every round.
“To be honest, I had significant anxiety at the beginning of the season because everything was new. But the team has been working incredibly hard and approaching every challenge with a positive attitude. Seeing that effort motivates me even more. Their commitment gives me confidence, and I want to repay that hard work with strong results.”
The timing of Round 3 could hardly be better. For Aiki, Mobility Resort Motegi represents not only another championship opportunity but also the chance to compete on home soil in front of Japanese fans.
“There will be several improvements to the motorcycle for Motegi, which makes me very excited for this round. At the same time, I am putting extra focus on my physical preparation because I want to arrive in the best possible condition. Racing at home is always special, and I want to make the most of the opportunity.”
Mobility Resort Motegi could also provide an important indication of just how far the Honda project has progressed.
With greater familiarity on the machine, planned updates to the package and the advantage of racing at a circuit he knows well, Aiki believes the weekend could become a turning point in his season.
“I believe I can achieve a strong result at Motegi. This race is very important because a good performance here would give me a lot of confidence heading into the second half of the season. It would show that all the hard work from the opening rounds is starting to pay off.”
RACE 1 HIGHLIGHTS
RACE 2 HIGHLIGHTS
