Jeffrey Herlings opens up on Honda switch:“The Ferrari of Motocross”

By Andy McKinstry    

Jeffrey Herlings’ headline-grabbing move from KTM to HRC Honda continues to be one of the biggest talking points ahead of the new season – and in a recent interview with Dutch media outlet NOS.nl, the five-time World Champion offered a revealing insight into how dramatic the change really is.

For Herlings, KTM had become more than just a team; it was the place where he won almost everything there is to win. But the Dutchman admits that, despite the success, the time felt right for something new.

“We won so much together but things happened. KTM had financial problems, which have since been resolved. And to be honest, I also felt like a new challenge at Honda.”

He compared Honda’s stature in motocross to one of the biggest brands in motorsport.

“The Ferrari of Motocross, a top team you want to have raced for at least once. Though I do hope I do better at Honda than Lewis does at Ferrari.”

Everything changes

Herlings acknowledged how rare such a bold career move is for someone who has spent so long with one manufacturer.

“I don’t think there has ever been a rider who stayed with the same brand for so long and then did this.”

The adjustment, he says, has been massive.

“It’s like trading Earth for Pluto – everything is different. The bike, the gear, the sponsors and the staff I have to work with.”

Aside from bringing his trusted practice mechanic with him, almost everything around him is new:

“They’re going to help me build a bike I’m really happy with. The only person I brought with me from KTM is my practice mechanic. He knows how I want my bike to be.”

Learning the Honda

Herlings likens the adaptation process to building a relationship – something that takes patience and trust.

“It’s like a relationship – you have to get used to each other and adapt. At KTM everything was more or less the same every year. This Honda, for example, has an aluminum frame – I haven’t ridden one for seven years.”

From gearbox choices to suspension settings and even boots, the smallest details matter:

“Do you want a short or long gearbox? Do you want the suspension stiff or soft? There are a hundred things like that. We’ve already tested for three days with different boots. It’s millimetre work, because you want the full grip.”

He also recognises that big team switches don’t always pay off.

“Yes, a switch like this sometimes goes wrong. Was it the rider? Was it the bike? Or a combination? Prado went from MXGP to Supercross – a completely different discipline. Compare it to a road cyclist switching to mountain biking.”

Racing the clock

Time, he admits, is not on his side.

“There’s time pressure. I have very little time to make the adjustment. I’m 31, I’ll race two or three more years and maybe only get a few more chances at the world title. In two months the first grand prix is already here. The key now is to stay healthy, test well, and go into the season with a bang.”

Yet confidence remains – and the numbers back him up.

“I don’t see why not. After everything I’ve been through, nothing is bothering me anymore. Last season I was only really fit for the final five races – and I won three of them. That tells me I can still do it.”

Herlings’ move to Honda marks the start of a bold new chapter. The challenges are real, the adjustment is intense but the Dutch star remains convinced that the decision can reignite his title ambitions.