Honda has introduced a new Fireblade for the 2017 campaign, but had difficulties preparing the bike in time for the European pre-season tests at Jerez and Portimao, having only received it a few weeks in advance.

While Hayden was just seven tenths off the pace at Jerez, his disadvantage to the pacesetters was 1.6 seconds for Portimao, which he described as "frustrating".

Progress was seemingly made at Phillip Island, with Hayden making it to Superpole 2, but then he only took 11th in that session, a position he could not progress from in Race 1.

Hayden's weekend ended with a retirement caused by a crash in the second race.

When asked to rate the season opener, Hayden admitted it was a tougher round for Honda than expected, and that there were no positives to take away from the weekend.

"I don't know, after the race you're a bit beat down, but the reality is I don't see what we can say what was really positive for us," said Hayden.

"It was a tougher weekend than we expected, and then I made a mistake in the race and crashed, that's my fault.

"Didn't really do a lot different, the speed was about the same, I just had a little bit more rear brake that unloaded the front and folded on me.

"I wouldn't say [there are] too many positives to take from this weekend, I don't want to be too negative but we don't want to come in here and get beaten like we did pretty much both days."

"Tweaked" knee not a worry

Hayden's off-season was hampered by a knee injury, which he sustained during flat-track training in November.

In the second race of the season opener, the 35-year-old fell at Turn 9 and he admitted he "tweaked" his knee.

However, tests and further evaluations with Hayden's surgeon in the USA found no injury, and the American rider is set to race in the next round in Thailand.