WSBK FAQ

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What difference is there in the performance of a Superbike and a MotoGP bike?
Based on lap times recorded during practice at Valencia in 2004, the difference is about 4 seconds per lap, which would allow the fastest superbikes to qualify easily for a MotoGP race. This difference in performance has not changed significantly over the years. At Jerez in 1990 the difference was more or less the same.
If different tyre manufacturers were allowed to compete, this gap could probably be narrowed even further, but this would certainly mean higher participation costs for Superbike. That is why the organisers of Superbike have opted for a single tyre supplier.
If we look at production-derived cars and formula prototypes, the performance gap between them is tremendous. A Formula 1 car can lap the Hockenheim circuit in about twenty seconds less than a DTM sports car, which is already radically modified with respect to the standard model. Motorcycles competing in Superbike are only slightly different from the machines on sale at your local dealer.
What technical differences are there between a Superbike and MotoGP bike?
The World Superbike Championship is the ultimate competition for motorcycles derived from standard production models. The frame cannot be modified. Teams are free only to modify the suspensions, brakes, swingarm, and the diameter and size of the wheels. Superbike racing motorcycles must also maintain the same profile as their roadgoing counterparts.
MotoGP racing on the other hand is reserved for propotype machines that bear no resemblance at all to production machines. Maximum permitted engine displacement for MotoGP is 990 cc, but the only other restrictions are on weight, which is determined by the number of cylinders, and fuel tank capacity, which has been limited to 22 litres since 2005. There are no rules governing the chassis or other components. Team mechanics can even make technical changes between one race and the next. In Superbike, before you can change a bike’s configuration (for example the number of cylinders in the engine) the manufacturer must first homologate a new model and manufacture the required number of roadgoing machines. Even the tyres are prototypes in MotoGP, whereas in Superbike, since 2004, a single supplier regime has been enforced and all riders are equipped with the same tyres.
MotoGP bikes develop around 230 horsepower and reach speeds of nearly 350 km/h, while superbikes develop 210 horsepower and reach 320 km/h. Participation in MotoGP places enormous financial demands on manufacturers, because designers and mechanics are permitted to use such extremely sophisticated technology. The changes made to Superbike rules in 2004, on the other hand, dramatically reduced participation costs. The Honda CBR-RR with which Chris Vermuelen nearly won the 2004 championship cost only 60,000 Euros. Even tyre costs are controlled, at 45,000 Euros per season (covering all 12 races and winter testing). Superbike is showing the way forward for motorcycle racing in the future: reduced costs, fantastic spectator value, and a top level challenge between the world’s best motorcycle manufacturers.
What happens if a rider who qualifies to take part in the superpole fails to do so?
Riders may only withdraw from superpole sessions for force majeure (i.e. reasons beyond their control). This is normally ascertained by a medical check. If a doctor finds that a rider is indeed not fit to take part in the race, the 17th fastest rider from the practice session takes his place, otherwise the superpole is held with one rider fewer than normal.

World SBK

Thats crazy that the Superbikes and Motogp bikes are running times that are so close yet there's such a big difference in their budgets. Moto, weren't you just wondering if Motogp would go back to the 2 strokes because of this?

andie wrote:

Thats crazy that the Superbikes and Motogp bikes are running times that are so close yet there's such a big difference in their budgets. Moto, weren't you just wondering if Motogp would go back to the 2 strokes because of this?

yeah...two premier classes, both 4-stroke...running nearly identical times. the WSBK boys were cruising Phillip Island last week doing 1.32s. go look at the MotoGP times around Phillip Island - you'd be surprised.

both bodies are FIM governed...it's strange to have two premier classes under the same assosiation, running nearly identical times. WSBK is doing it all on the Pirelli spec tyre too, which is impressive.

i guess the association is happy as long as the two stay popular and make money.

This is kind of like a couple years ago when CHAMP cars anf F! visited the same circuits, and the CHAMP cars where only about 3.5 seconeds a lap slower then the Formula1 cars. Even though the CHAMP cars where rediculasly less expensive to build and to run.
Though it should be noted that in this case, its amazing what you can do with a car, when you jsut throw downforce and horsepower at it.

And I think thats exactly why you see such a closeness in peformance with the bikes. Becuase a bike, reguardless of how trick it is, still works off of the basic fundimental of mechanicle tire grip. There is no downforce, and there is no brute force option to make the bike stick, or put more power down. Your still limited to the theoretical limit of the grip of the rubber. ANd even on the uber special tires they run in MotoGP, grip is still grip, and you cant exactly bend gravity to make rubber more sticky...it will eventually lose adhesion.

I think part of the reason that you see the SBK bikes going so quick is because they ARE on a control tire. And the frames are controled untill teh next homologation period. That forces suspension development, and chassis tuning. The suspension they are useing in SBK isnt to dissimilar to that used in MotoGP, and unlike MotoGP bikes, they dont ahve to struggle to baance new frames, new rubber compounds, new engine managment, etc. etc. adinfinitum, between each race. They know how the tire works, they know how the chassis works, and they can extract the maximum out of it, with the least amount of changed variables, aside from teh track itself.

As amazing as the MotoGP Prototypes are...they are still motorcycles, and there are still limitations to what it is and isnt capable of doing. Far more so then what is capable on a vehicle with 4 wheels, and downforce.