Six-time World Superbike champion Jonathan Rea says his victory at this year's Suzuka 8 Hour race gave him the chance to end his racing career on a high, admitting the final years of his full-time career had left him "numb".

Speaking on the BBC Bikes Podcast, the 39-year-old Northern Ireland rider reflected on his transition away from full-time competition, his emotional return to the top step of the podium with Honda and what the future now holds.

Rea stepped away from full-time racing at the end of last season after a difficult spell in the World Superbike Championship, but insists he has no regrets about the decision.

"The last couple of years were really tough for me," he said.

"I just knew I didn't want to keep racing motorbikes. I was a bit numb to the feeling of it.

"Going out and having a really good race in sixth or seventh, it was hard to manage because of the highs I'd experienced before."

The 39-year-old expected his new role as a Honda test rider to involve occasional outings, but it has developed into what he describes as "more of a full-time job".

"It's given me the chance to ride amazing motorbikes all around the world without the pressure," he added.

While Rea says he is not "fully retired", one moment stood above all others in 2026 – helping Honda secure another Suzuka 8 Hours victory.

The win carried extra significance after his World Superbike career ended in disappointing circumstances.

"Jerez last year was a horrible way to end," Rea admitted.

"I knew I was going to have this opportunity with Honda at Suzuka and a huge part of my decision was knowing I'd get the chance to legitimately stand on the top step of the podium again.

"In World Superbikes, unless everything aligned, it was going to be ridiculously hard. But the hot seat at Suzuka is Honda HRC."

'Incredible feeling' to be back on the podium

Rea described the iconic endurance race as one of the greatest experiences in motorcycle racing, comparing the atmosphere to what a Formula 1 driver might feel at Monza.

"Standing on that podium at night with the grandstands still full, it was an incredible feeling," he said.

"It was a really nice opportunity to go and get that good feeling again."

The victory also represented a return to the manufacturer that helped launch his international career in 2008.

Although much of his success came during his record-breaking Kawasaki years, Rea remains grateful to Honda for giving him his first major opportunity and believes those early years laid the foundations for his six world titles.

Looking ahead, Rea expects 2027 to follow a similar pattern to this season, with testing duties remaining his primary focus.

"There's still a lot of work to do at Honda," he said.

"Next year looks very much like this year – a lot of testing, a couple of wildcards and most probably Suzuka again.

"I'm definitely retired from being a full-time rider, but I'm really enjoying this transition."

For one of the greatest riders World Superbikes has ever seen, it is a future that still includes fast motorcycles but now on his own terms.