Michael Laverty and Jon Kirkham have been signed by Honda Racing for the 2012 British Superbike season.
The team, formerly known as HM Plant Honda, had already announced the departures of 2011 line-up Shane Byrne - who has moved to PBM Kawasaki - and Ryuichi Kiyonari.
Laverty fought for the 2011 title with Swan Yamaha (pictured), the team of championship winner Tommy Hill, taking three wins on his way to fourth spot.
“It is an exciting prospect for me to be joining Honda for 2012," said Laverty. "It was unexpected and it is always a difficult decision to move teams, especially as we had such a good season this year.
"I was fortunate to have options and I have gone from one championship-winning team to another; everyone knows that Honda have the history in BSB and we are really looking forward now to next season.
"I think the change with the rules has played a part in my decision to join Honda. You can see from Evo this season that the Honda chassis and engine was so strong and delivers useable power which will be so important next year.
"Next season for sure is going to be interesting and I think we start in a great position. The calibre of Honda and the Fireblade is high and we know we have big potential to fight for the title.”
He also tweeted: "So it has been announced that I will be joining Honda for 2012. I always wanted to be an official Honda rider as a kid.
"And sad in equal measures to be leaving the Swan Yamaha team, great bunch of people! It was a nice position to be in but you can only chose (sic) 1."
Kirkham was at runner-up John Hopkins's Samsung Crescent Suzuki team last season.
"It is absolutely fantastic for me to be joining the official Honda team as they are well established and the most successful team in the BSB paddock," he said.
"I really do believe they will have the package to beat with the new technical regulations as you could see how strong the Honda Fireblade was in the Evo championship last season, and the new for 2012 'Blade looks set to be even stronger.
"2011 was an up and down season for me so next year I just want to concentrate on my riding and getting the Honda up the front where we want and need to be."
He finished seventh last season and secured his maiden victory in the domestic superbike series.
The team, formerly known as HM Plant Honda, had already announced the departures of 2011 line-up Shane Byrne - who has moved to PBM Kawasaki - and Ryuichi Kiyonari.
Laverty fought for the 2011 title with Swan Yamaha (pictured), the team of championship winner Tommy Hill, taking three wins on his way to fourth spot.
“It is an exciting prospect for me to be joining Honda for 2012," said Laverty. "It was unexpected and it is always a difficult decision to move teams, especially as we had such a good season this year.
"I was fortunate to have options and I have gone from one championship-winning team to another; everyone knows that Honda have the history in BSB and we are really looking forward now to next season.
"I think the change with the rules has played a part in my decision to join Honda. You can see from Evo this season that the Honda chassis and engine was so strong and delivers useable power which will be so important next year.
"Next season for sure is going to be interesting and I think we start in a great position. The calibre of Honda and the Fireblade is high and we know we have big potential to fight for the title.”
He also tweeted: "So it has been announced that I will be joining Honda for 2012. I always wanted to be an official Honda rider as a kid.
"And sad in equal measures to be leaving the Swan Yamaha team, great bunch of people! It was a nice position to be in but you can only chose (sic) 1."
Kirkham was at runner-up John Hopkins's Samsung Crescent Suzuki team last season.
"It is absolutely fantastic for me to be joining the official Honda team as they are well established and the most successful team in the BSB paddock," he said.
"I really do believe they will have the package to beat with the new technical regulations as you could see how strong the Honda Fireblade was in the Evo championship last season, and the new for 2012 'Blade looks set to be even stronger.
"2011 was an up and down season for me so next year I just want to concentrate on my riding and getting the Honda up the front where we want and need to be."
He finished seventh last season and secured his maiden victory in the domestic superbike series.
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