MOTOGP » Dovizioso close to solving Honda instability?

 "We made a big improvement with the electronic system to control how the engine works during braking. Last year we never made a big difference like this" - Andrea Dovizioso. Repsol Honda's Andrea Dovizioso couldn't hide his delight at finally making a clear breakthrough with what he feels is the RCV's last significant weakness; a lack of stability - or rear-wheel hopping - under braking. Movement under braking has been an issue ever since the original 990cc version of the RCV, and all three factory Repsol Honda riders pinpointed it as the biggest area for further improvement after the first Sepang test earlier this month. The trio - Dovizioso, Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa - indicated it would take new parts to cure, but a change to the electronics did the trick for Dovizioso on Tuesday's opening day of the second Sepang test. “I'm really happy because we made a big improvement with the electronic system to control the engine brake, and how the engine works during braking,” said the 2009 Donington Park race winner. “Last year we never made a big difference like this. “The bike is much more stable and I'm very happy. We didn't fix everything but we improved a lot. It is a big, big improvement just through set-up. The HRC engineers have worked very well. “Turn seven is still a problem, because when you don't work the clutch [downshift] the problem stays the same as it was last year and at the first test here. This is still a bad point, but in all the other braking areas, where you need to shift down, we have improved the stability a lot.” Stoner said that he didn't work further on the 'hopping', having spent plenty of time on it at the first test. Pedrosa did try electronic changes on Tuesday, but without the same level of success as Dovizioso. “In the morning I was trying some electronics to improve the entry and exit of the corner... So-so,” said the 2010 title runner-up. “Hopping is really hard to fix,” he added. “Some other things are easier to get done.” Stoner and Pedrosa were first and second on Tuesday, with Dovizioso fifth. Honda riders have led all four days of 2011 testing to date.