The FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) has now made an official ruling regarding the testing of the 1000cc bike, as to limit the number of days teams can use up to develop their 2012 machines.

The new rule specifies that during the 2011 season, manufacturers may test for a total 8 rider/days with their contracted riders; that rule applying retrospectively for the 2011 season.

When Nicky Hayden and Valentino Rossi tested the 2012 Ducati a few weeks ago in Jerez, it exposed a well-known grey area in the MotoGP rules, which only apply limits on testing with machines eligible for the MotoGP class.

The implication therefore being that, since 1000cc bikes are not presently eligible for MotoGP, testing restrictions do not apply.

Ducati is the only manufacturer whose MotoGP race riders have tried a 2012 bike while
Honda's 2012 prototype are expected to be tried by the factory's race riders later this month.

Yamaha is expected to let its factory racers ride the 1000cc M1 in a test after the Italian Grand Prix in early July, while Suzuki is yet to announce its 2012 plans.