for the 2009 season he was handed a motogp spot for team scot honda, thus replacing his former 250cc team-mate andrea dovizioso who headed for hrc's official repsol honda outfit. after the jir team scot team split, jir attempted to remain in the class with ben spies, but honda opted to support team scot instead. takahashi struggled early in the season, with a best finish of twelfth at the circuit de catalunya. he crashed on the first lap there, and also had an early collision with nicky hayden on his home round.