World Superbike regular Jonathan Rea has made a surprise guest appearance in a HRC MotoGP test at Sepang in Malaysia this week.

The HRC R&D Team began a three-day test session at the Sepang circuit yesterday in preparation for the 2011 MotoGP season.

Alongside HRC test rider Kousuke Akiyoshi, who is continuing the development of the RCV212, HRC also invited Rea, the Honda Ten Kate World Superbike Team rider to join the test.

Rea made his very first ride on a MotoGP machine today and HRC is pleased to give him the possibility to test ride the RCV212 for the first time.

Rea made a start to the three-day test and completed 51 laps familiarising himself with the characteristics of the grand prix machine.

“Today I had great fun learning a MotoGP bike and the Sepang circuit in impressive!” the Irishman beamed. “My body is still not 100 percent and this is a pity, but I had a very good day with the HRC test team.

“I spent almost all my career on production derived bikes, I just rode a 125 GP a few years ago, and today I had a good feeling riding the Honda RCV212. The bike feels very powerful, the engine revs higher than my CBR1000R and it is easy to change direction.

“I’d like to thank HRC and Honda Europe for this opportunity. I am looking forward for the next two days of testing.”

After having adjusted the riding position on the RC212V to suit his stature, the 23-year-old Rea, from Ballymena, Northern Ireland, went on track today joining Japanese rider and Suzuka 8 Hours teammate Akiyoshi.

Akiyoshi and Rea made the most of the warm weather at the 5.548-kilometre circuit to complete almost full day’s work with the Honda RC212V stopping for just one hour due to a short rain shower.

MotoGP racers are currently restricted from testing until mid-January.