WSBK Parity issues?

[White trash]

Not sure if anyone's been watching this season but it's not been bad racing in WSBK at all. For those not in the know, Ducati successfully lobbied to have the V-twin displacement limit increased in 2008 from its current 1000cc to 1200cc. They reckon the V-twins need the extra cubes to make up for performance shortfalls.

How come then, at the last meeting in Italy, were the 999 Ducatis the fastest bikes through the speed traps all weekend? Troy Bayliss taking an outstanding win in race 2 and challenging in race 1.

Performance defecit? I'm confused.........

Your thoughts please.

[sugilite]

They currently have more leeway than the fours in performance mods they can carry out. Ducati are complaining they have to spend colossal money to get the performance required to be competitive. They reckon they are only getting a few hundred km's from cranks and such as it stands now.
When it goes to 1200 cc they will not have the same leeway they do now in what they can do performance wise so in "theory" the extra capacity should mean they get about the same power they have now, but be more reliable and cheaper to run. <_<

[riffer]

Sounds like continuation of the normal order of things - being Ducatis at the front of WSB. :msn-wink:

However, Ducati have been on a roll in motorcycle racing of late. It's possible that they really do have their shit together.


The 1098 puts out 150-odd horses. The GSXR1000 puts out 180-odd.

Superbikes should reflect that. It's gotta be something else. Any idea of the HP output of the Ducati racebikes?

[White trash]

OK, sort of makes sense. So this means as of next year we'll see privateer and satelite Ducati teams running at the front. Can't wait.......(Tui ad)

[White trash]

The GSXR1000 puts out 180-odd.

Someone really needs to tell my bike that then 'cause I've got a Dyno sheet reading 153. Where's me 27hp ya wankers?!

[sugilite]

yeah, that was another one of their reasons, saying it was to expensive to supply motors for customer bikes n such. To be fair to them, the customer GP bikes are just as fast as the factory bikes through the traps.
But yeah, I'd hate to see the balance upset in favor of twins yet again.

[Bykmad]

Just watch it become the Ducati Cup again. The watch the spectators stay away again. Aw Shucks, hasnt this happened before????

[puddy]

In an Aussie bike mag either late last year or early this year, a Ducati big-wig was interviewed and was talking about lobbying to get WSB capacity for twins increased to help out the Ducati road bike. He was saying that it was down by about 20 odd HP on the jap bikes ............

[Paul in NZ]

The FIM is based in europe....

[slowpoke]

Just watch it become the Ducati Cup again. The watch the spectators stay away again. Aw Shucks, hasnt this happened before????

Have you even read any of the above posts? It's been explained pretty well why not just Ducati but all twins are allowed a displacement adavntage.

As another way of looking at it the ruling body have just evened out the valve area advantage that the IL4's currently enjoy. A 1000cc twin can only ever have a maximum valve area equivalent to a 750 four. This new displacement will just allow them to have a similar valve area as a 1000 four and therefore make similar horsepower.

If the twins have got such a huge advantage why didn't Honda keep developing their SP1/2? Oh, that's right they don't officially participate anymore, just like the other Japanese manufacturers. Seeing as how no other manufacturer can be bothered running a factory team I reckon Ducati deserve every success for maintaining their focus. Should they be penalised for taking it more seriously and investing more time, money and effort than anybody else?

[boomer]

Not sure if anyone's been watching this season but it's not been bad racing in WSBK at all. For those not in the know, Ducati successfully lobbied to have the V-twin displacement limit increased in 2008 from its current 1000cc to 1200cc. They reckon the V-twins need the extra cubes to make up for performance shortfalls.

How come then, at the last meeting in Italy, were the 999 Ducatis the fastest bikes through the speed traps all weekend? Troy Bayliss taking an outstanding win in race 2 and challenging in race 1.

Performance defecit? I'm confused.........

Your thoughts please.

fookah.. i figured no spoiler meant no spoiler... now i don't need to watch race 2 after watchin race 1 last night... fookah !

[merv]

Maybe so slowpoke but what appears annoying to us ordinary folk is that just when parity seems to be the thing then yippee Ducati can convince the officials to make yet another change in their favour.

[White trash]

Have you even read any of the above posts? It's been explained pretty well why not just Ducati but all twins are allowed a displacement adavntage.

As another way of looking at it the ruling body have just evened out the valve area advantage that the IL4's currently enjoy. A 1000cc twin can only ever have a maximum valve area equivalent to a 750 four. This new displacement will just allow them to have a similar valve area as a 1000 four and therefore make similar horsepower.

If the twins have got such a huge advantage why didn't Honda keep developing their SP1/2? Oh, that's right they don't officially participate anymore, just like the other Japanese manufacturers. Seeing as how no other manufacturer can be bothered running a factory team I reckon Ducati deserve every success for maintaining their focus. Should they be penalised for taking it more seriously and investing more time, money and effort than anybody else?

Quite good points mate, however the Japanese manufacturers all spend millions developing their "Superbikes" as road bikes. You know as well as I do that they also support their teams to the maximum extent possible without naming them factory teams. Their reasons are fairly good for NOT having "factory" teams also as far as I'm concerned.

[White trash]

fookah.. i figured no spoiler meant no spoiler... now i don't need to watch race 2 after watchin race 1 last night... fookah !
Sorry bro. How the fuck can you not know what went on over twelve hours after the fact?

[boomer]

Sorry bro. How the fuck can you not know what went on over twelve hours after the fact?

I fell asleep after the 600's, got up late and went straight to work this mornin and right up till about an hour ago i've been staring at computer code...

the tv's just gone on and i'll watch the replay at 7:30 tonight... unfortunately i know the results ya bugga :P

[Slingshot]

Someone really needs to tell my bike that then 'cause I've got a Dyno sheet reading 153.

Where's me 27hp ya wankers?!


Somewhere between the crank and the rear wheel me thinks.

[Robert Taylor]

Someone really needs to tell my bike that then 'cause I've got a Dyno sheet reading 153. Where's me 27hp ya wankers?!

Left behind on the pamphlet Jimmy! Bear in mind that it is measured at the crank, not at the rear wheel after transmission losses. Also, most commercial dynos read in SAE BHP, larger units, smaller overall number. Hirohitos armies measure in DIN BHP, smaller units, larger overall number. And I suspect another ''adjustment factor'' called PHP, ''PAMPHLET HORSEPOWER'' Good for pub bragging rights, similiar to cavemen comparing the size of their family jewels. So what anyway, its the lap times that count and we know where most of the work goes into achieving that.

Next time you get a dyno run have the air intake temperature probe placed behind the hot radiator, that will give you very impressive numbers, the giveaway being a huge correction factor on the dyno sheet. Also every dyno is different so they are a comparator, full stop.

Reference WSBK check out what nationality the main power brokers are, therein perhaps lies the answer.

[White trash]

Left behind on the pamphlet Jimmy! Bear in mind that it is measured at the crank, not at the rear wheel after transmission losses. Also, most commercial dynos read in SAE BHP, larger units, smaller overall number. Hirohitos armies measure in DIN BHP, smaller units, larger overall number. And I suspect another ''adjustment factor'' called PHP, ''PAMPHLET HORSEPOWER'' Good for pub bragging rights, similiar to cavemen comparing the size of their family jewels. So what anyway, its the lap times that count and we know where most of the work goes into achieving that.

Next time you get a dyno run have the air intake temperature probe placed behind the hot radiator, that will give you very impressive numbers, the giveaway being a huge correction factor on the dyno sheet. Also every dyno is different so they are a comparator, full stop.

Reference WSBK check out what nationality the main power brokers are, therein perhaps lies the answer.
Ahh, I'm well aware who the "Powers that be" are mate. I'm just interested to know who actually thinks this will make the series better. Surely they realise that the less people are interested because they think the rules are joke, the less people will watch said series. Also, PM sent.

[Matt Bleck]

Why don't Ducati just drop the V-twin? If it can not compete on a even keel with the in-line fours then THEY should change!

[merv]

Why don't Ducati just drop the V-twin? If it can not compete on a even keel with the in-line fours then THEY should change!

Yep and they have a pretty good model in their road going version now of the Desmosedici. Go the V4's.

[riffer]

Why don't Ducati just drop the V-twin? If it can not compete on a even keel with the in-line fours then THEY should change!

So if someone brings out a 500cc V8 that trumps everyone you'll be cool about it? (dammit, someone should).

Like it or not, the name Ducati has become synonymous with V-twins.

[merv]

Like it or not, the name Ducati has become synonymous with V-twins.

Now that Stoner is the MotoGP champ they may change their strategy a bit I wonder?

[Matt Bleck]

So if someone brings out a 500cc V8 that trumps everyone you'll be cool about it? (dammit, someone should).

Like it or not, the name Ducati has become synonymous with V-twins.


yeah if the rules allow, thats the thing that bug's me... ducati cry about it not being fair so get the rules changed to accomidate them. Maybe they should move on and evolve around the sport, instead of being synonymous with V-twins.

remeber when it was 750 IL4's against 1000 cc twins? What happened there?

[White trash]

Yeah, I don't know if winning GP championships will really sell any manufacturer more bikes now. It is obviously handy for trying new tricks though, look at the cool 600s that are out just a couple of years into MotoGP

[merv]

I'm just wondering if we may see more 4's from Ducati.

[Cleve]

Last time the Japanese manufacturers felt that Ducati had an unfair advantage they picked up their toys and left and the result was a diminished series with dropping TV audiences and therefore dropping revenue. The current rules with pretty much full Japanese factory support is now a popular (read profitable) series. Regardless of nationality the SBK rights holders are BUSINESSMEN and one would hope/assume that they will do their best to make the 1200 twin vs 1000 IL4 as even as possible.
Note that as a result of the 1200 twin rule, KTM, BMW, etc are also possibly entering new bikes.
As an optimist I hope that this all goes from better to "more better" and yummier potential road bikes out there for us to taste in the near future...

[Paulus]

The problem I see is that if you give them the extra 200cc capacity to make the same hp as the fours then they will have the same speed as the fours on the long fast straights but will retain their superior drive out of the slow corners making them once again unbeatable (just like when they were racing 750 cc fours). Well all lose interest (except the Ducati fans) and it'll be back to the World Super Ducati series again.

My opinion is it should be 1000cc production racing. If Ducati believe the best format for a 1000cc sportsbike is a V-twin then so be it. Likewise with a V16 (but they have to build a minimum of 500 of them).

[White trash]

I'm just wondering if we may see more 4's from Ducati.
Well, you've definitely gotta hand it to the spaghetti slurpers, they're no fools.

MotoGP rules state that your engine must be prototype, no production basis. As soon as Dorna sez they're changing the rules, the 990s are too quick, Ducati bosses go "Mama Mia! Wehave spent too many liras developing this machine which is now useless, how can we recupe?" Simple. You turn it into a road bike. Every man and his dog lusts after the only road going MotoGP bike on the market and a few are actually in a position to pay such a rediculous price.

Very switched on, the wogs.

[White trash]

Last time the Japanese manufacturers felt that Ducati had an unfair advantage they picked up their toys and left and the result was a diminished series with dropping TV audiences and therefore dropping revenue.


Not 100 percent sure here Cleve I was under the impression the reason the Japanese threw their toys from the pram was the control tyre rule, not the advantage Ducati were enjoying. Or am I not looking back far enough?

[Cleve]

Not 100 percent sure here Cleve I was under the impression the reason the Japanese threw their toys from the pram was the control tyre rule, not the advantage Ducati were enjoying. Or am I not looking back far enough?

Not sure... thought I was... I believe though that it wasn't until the rules for 1000cc IL4's were changed to allow them to have more power (air restrictors?) that they came back.

[merv]

Here's some news on homologation rules if ya interested http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2007/Sep/e/n070927d.htm

Just 3 posts to go to my 5,000 - going well huh - a long termer but steady poster, no racing to big numbers like Hitcher for example.

The other thing interesting about this series is how well Troy Corser is doing after well over a decade at it - go that man.

[slowpoke]

Why don't Ducati just drop the V-twin? If it can not compete on a even keel with the in-line fours then THEY should change!

Why? They are the only manufacturer to fully support the series from go to whoa. Their resources are a drop in the ocean compared to the Japanese juggernaut.

The keel is soon to be even when valve areas are similar and costs are similar. At present Ducati (and anybody else who chooses to run a twin) are competing at a massive cost and horsepower disadvantage.

[Matt Bleck]

Why? They are the only manufacturer to fully support the series from go to whoa. Their resources are a drop in the ocean compared to the Japanese juggernaut.

The keel is soon to be even when valve areas are similar and costs are simialr. At present Ducati (and anybody else who chooses to run a twin) are competing at a massive cost and horsepower disadvantage.

Thats why...... if they want to run a v-twin then thats what you have to do to be competitive... oh or change the rules to suit....

[cowpoos]

are competing at a massive cost and horsepower disadvantage.

cost may be dude....but power...I doubt it!! the trap speeds would argue against that!!!


I think this is fair enough...from a cost point of view...as the machines ducati are running have to be very higly strung to be compeditive with the fours...but I think a provision in the ruling for evening things out more if the duc appears to be alot faster as in what happening with the 750's and restricted fours...the fact that ducati have to run stock crank and rods now will make it interesting...they had better have spent some good money on the oem ones!!! lmao!!

[Devil]

Dunno how correct the figures were, but the replay had on screen graphics stating the ducatis were 194hp, honda's around 204, gsxr around 210 or so, yamahaha's somewhere around 200. The Kwakasucky was in the middle somewhere.

[codgyoleracer]

I owned a 996SPS back in the days when that machine was meant to be the "road bike representation of the SBK machine". That same year I managed to blag a close up view of the offical bike & chat with the people in Carl Fogarty's pit. The machine he was racing IN NO WAY represented the bike I owned (other than in profile). The list of items that were different were, complete front end, rear shock & linkage, frame had bigger tubing, carbon fibre bodywork, brakes, callipers, engine cases (magnesium), Instruments + a whole bunch of other electrickery, exhaust system diameter etc etc. (& there were a lot of etc's). Gawd knows what was different inside the engine. (it red -lined 3000 above my one)
Other than the fact that it was red & looked similar - that was about it !.
I can understand Ducati & all the other manufacturers wanting their machines to "represent" their road going fleet & if this means that their road fleet has to be running at 1200cc to "sort of" compete with the Japanese four cylinder machine on the road then I suppose they have no choice but to allow them. But as Sugalite said the internal engine development is supposidly way less stressed for the same performance than before with the 999.
It will be interesting to see the results - but I suspect that they will want to win just as much as everyone else & devleop the new engine to a very high race spec level yet again - that may at a glance "look like" a road going Ducati - but have a whole heap of fruit inside & out that makes it go a tad better than your average Duke that you ride down to the Dairy.

Hopefully the capacity increase brings some of the other Vee Twin manufacturers out to play.

[denill]

Hopefully the capacity increase brings some of the other Vee Twin manufacturers out to play.

I don't think Honda will want see their Vtwin playing in that sandpit again.:no::no:

[slowpoke]

cost may be dude....but power...I doubt it!! the trap speeds would argue against that!!!



Don't forget a twin has less frontal area than an across the frame inline 4 and wind drag increases exponentially with speed.....

[TonyB]

I can see the logic behind this decision, but being a pesimist I think we'll see Ducati's stomping all over the others next year.

I realise it was a loooooooong time ago, but back when Ducati won their first WSBK crown, how big was the engine? 851cc (unless they bored it out to 1000cc...did they? I don't know). If the 851 WAS an 851, then way back then they obviously weren't too worried about costs.

I hope it all works out. Maybe it really is just a case of trying to match the production version with the production IL4's, and keeping the race version closer to the one you can acutally buy.

[avgas]

Ducati are really good at whinning.
They have practiced it at WSB for about 20 years now.

[denill]

Ducati are really good at whinning.
They have practiced it at WSB for about 20 years now.


Is that - Winning or Whining?

[slowpoke]

Changes to the Technical Rules for 2008 - Twin cylinders to 1200cc

After consultation with all the parties involved and upon the proposal submitted by the Superbike Commission, the FIM has decided the following amendment and additions to the Superbike World Championship technical rules for 2008.

Displacement capacities.

o 2 cylinders over 850cc up to 1200cc

o 3 cylinders over 750cc up to 1000cc

o 4 cylinders over 750cc up to 1000cc

· Minimum weights.

o 2 cylinders over 850cc up to 1200cc: 168kg

o 4 cylinders over 750cc up to 1000cc: 162kg

Minimum weight of 2 cylinders over 850cc up to 1200cc will be updated, if needed, during the Championship in steps of ±3kg to 171kg as a maximum and 162kg as a minimum.

· Air-restrictors.

Only 2 cylinders over 850cc up to 1200cc will be fitted with air-restrictors. Initial size will be equivalent to a Ø50mm circular area. Air-restrictors size will be updated, if needed, during the Championship in steps of ±2mm of diameter in a range from equivalent to a Ø46mm circular area to no air-restrictor at all.

· Balance of different motorcycle concepts.

Weight limit and then air-restrictors size of 2 cylinders over 850cc up to 1200cc machines will be updated, if needed, during the Championship, by a system analysing the race points obtained.

· Tuning level.

All machines will have the same level of tuning presently applied to 4 cylinders over 750cc up to 1000cc, with the exception of connecting rods that must be standard for 2 cylinders over 850cc up to 1200cc.

· Homologation numbers.

For 2008 and 2009 all manufacturers, irrespective of their total production numbers, will have to produce a minimum of 1000 bikes in order to get an homologation.

For 2010 onwards the minimum production number will be increased to 3000 bikes.

[avgas]

Is that - Winning or Whining?
all relative,
one year they would whine, next year they would win.

[roogazza]

Why? They are the only manufacturer to fully support the series from go to whoa. Their resources are a drop in the ocean compared to the Japanese juggernaut.

The keel is soon to be even when valve areas are similar and costs are similar. At present Ducati (and anybody else who chooses to run a twin) are competing at a massive cost and horsepower disadvantage.

Hey slowpoke, I see where you are coming from. But the Duc looked pretty strong in the speed department Sunday night, even if it is expensive to run. Gaz.

ps. my bet is the Duc will be real strong next year and a consistant winner ?

[cowpoos]

Don't forget a twin has less frontal area than an across the frame inline 4 and wind drag increases exponentially with speed.....
errr....not always the case dude....depends on how the bikes was designed areo dynamically...do a camparo to the original busa and a K3 thou...busa had high top speed...with a bucket load more frontal area...k3 accelerated faster and had more horse power....

anyway...but for the most part you are probally right about the frontal area...but I bet theres F' all in it power wise!

[Mental Trousers]

Basically the twins will carry slightly more weight, have air restrictors and use standard conrods. So it'll be interesting to see how they go. Increased valve area is useless if air restrictors prevent that area from being used effectively. Standard conrods will mean Ducati will have to put higher spec units in road bikes. There's plenty of other implications in all of this too.

[denill]

all relative,
one year they would whine, next year they would win.


Yeah, it just depends if they win or not. :msn-wink: :msn-wink:

[slowpoke]

errr....not always the case dude....depends on how the bikes was designed areo dynamically...do a camparo to the original busa and a K3 thou...busa had high top speed...with a bucket load more frontal area...k3 accelerated faster and had more horse power....

anyway...but for the most part you are probally right about the frontal area...but I bet theres F' all in it power wise!

Aaaah fuggit, just when I thought I had it sorted, ya slippery bugger!

[denill]

Hey slowpoke, I see where you are coming from. But the Duc looked pretty strong in the speed department Sunday night, even if it is expensive to run. Gaz.

Yeah Gav. It may be expensive - but methinks they would spend as much in '08 anyhow. Any how they held the right cards when they said "Play our game, or else". SBK NEEDS Ducati. imagine SBK without them??? :blink: :blink:

[imdying]

Why? They are the only manufacturer to fully support the series from go to whoa. Their resources are a drop in the ocean compared to the Japanese juggernaut.

The keel is soon to be even when valve areas are similar and costs are similar. At present Ducati (and anybody else who chooses to run a twin) are competing at a massive cost and horsepower disadvantage.Ducati want it changed so they don't have to run massive dollar motors to be competitive right...? Wonder how long it'll be before they start spending big dollars on their bigger motors... I don't trust them (factory racing teams), they'll abuse any leeway they're given.

[Pwalo]

From the commentary in race 2 it appears that Ducati haven't produced enough 1098s in 'race spec' (1200) to homologate the new bike yet.

Perhaps there'll be a (mini)flood on the market later in this year/early next year.

I think the basic problem is that no V Twin is ever going to be as quick as an inline four, at anything like a similar state of tune. WSB is in a quandry because the fastest (lap times rather than outright speed, anyway), and at the moment best handling bikes are the Japanese fours. The only way to have a performance parity at liveable costs is for the twins to have a capacity increase.

As long as everyone realises that this is a fudge to let the Ducatis remain competitive that's fine. Just don't expect the Japanese manufacturers to be too happy to see their competitors taking advantage of a capacity hike to sell their bikes.

[vifferman]

From the commentary in race 2 it appears that Ducati haven't produced enough 1098s in 'race spec' (1200) to homologate the new bike yet.
Back when Aaron Slight was in WSB, Ducati had a much lower homologation number requirement than any of the other manufacturers, so I wouldn't be surprised if they don't still have a low number to meet, even though their sales are much much higher now than in the 80's and early 90s.

Another interesting thing - the Ducatis of that time had to have a new crankcase for every meeting, as the twins tuned to the level of power needed to be competitive wreaked havoc on the longevity of the cases. (FWIW, a VTR1000's cases can't cope with much more than 125hp before grenading).

[Cajun]

interesting about the 3 cylinders, being 1000cc instead of say 1050 or 1100, so in turn benelli or triumph could put there production bikes in there,

[SPman]

Likewise with a V16 (but they have to build a minimum of 500 of them). As of 2009, (I think), they have to build 3000 of em.....

[avgas]

interesting about the 3 cylinders, being 1000cc instead of say 1050 or 1100, so in turn benelli or triumph could put there production bikes in there,
955 fits in fine though

[Cajun]

955 fits in fine though

don't use the 955 motor any more its 1050. but saying that they don't really make a sports model with fairing in that size any more either.

[limbimtimwim]

remeber when it was 750 IL4's against 1000 cc twins? What happened there?John Kocinski won..?
<img src="http://www.john-kocinski.com/english/gallery/jk16.jpg">
Just noticed his RVF has more ground clearance at the rear than mine, hmm. And a dual sided swing arm.

[idb]

Why don't Ducati just drop the V-twin? If it can not compete on a even keel with the in-line fours then THEY should change!

Hmmm...all the other manufacturers already make V-twins so maybe they should be racing them instead.

[Cajun]

John Kocinski won..?
Just noticed his RVF has more ground clearance at the rear than mine, hmm. And a dual sided swing arm.
and maybe an extra 350 ccs, among other things.

[idb]

I can see the logic behind this decision, but being a pesimist I think we'll see Ducati's stomping all over the others next year.

I realise it was a loooooooong time ago, but back when Ducati won their first WSBK crown, how big was the engine? 851cc (unless they bored it out to 1000cc...did they? I don't know). If the 851 WAS an 851, then way back then they obviously weren't too worried about costs.

I hope it all works out. Maybe it really is just a case of trying to match the production version with the production IL4's, and keeping the race version closer to the one you can acutally buy.

They were 888cc Tony

[merv]

Ah Kocinski - 1997 was his last show of brilliance. The way he slid the RC45 around and stuffed it under others that year was priceless even to the end pissing Slight off for not helping him do better once the crown was in the bag. His two wheel slides at Laguna that year were something to behold. It was a case of showing it was more about the rider than the cc's of the bike.

[limbimtimwim]

and maybe an extra 350 ccs, among other things.Was just being silly. That one also has The Koc on it.

[Matt Bleck]

Hmmm...all the other manufacturers already make V-twins so maybe they should be racing them instead.
Why yes, yes they should, but i doubt they will tho, been there done that.

[avgas]

don't use the 955 motor any more its 1050. but saying that they don't really make a sports model with fairing in that size any more either.
Yeh i just realised that, but in saying that i wouldnt be supprise if the Daytona moved to the 1050 to keep out of the WSB. They changed their engines previously to keep out of it.
Triples will never go far in WSB as they dont have the 3 main components to make it: money, riders, development.
There has been alot of good attempts, but nothing on the same plane that is WSB. Most of those teams/bikes are 20 years in the making, with engines that go back even further.
Likewise you wont see a hybrid etc into WSB for many decades to come.
Eventually WSB will fall on its face in a few decades, (much like the 500's did) and will become a new class.

[denill]

Have you read this?

BMW Motorrad announced at the Paris motorcycle trade show Mondial du Deux Roux on September 28th that it would enter the Superbike World Championships in 2009.

The announcement was made by Peter Müller, BMW Motorrad Executive Vice President, Development and Model Lines.

Now BMW Motorrad is able to confirm that during the 2008 season, a new team will be formed under the management of Berti Hauser, BMW Motorrad General Manager, Motorsport.

A completely new 1,000 cc in-line 4-cylinder machine developed by BMW Motorrad will be tested and further developed in an extended series of training modules under racing conditions. The experienced partner for this ambitious project is alpha Technik GmbH, based in Stephanskirchen near Rosenheim.

“By entering the Superbike World Championship we will be competing against manufacturers and teams which are many years ahead of us in terms of experience in a segment which is new to us,” Peter Müller: said.

“We know it won’t be easy. With alpha Technik GmbH we have found a partner with a lot of development expertise and over 10 years of experience in superbike racing. We anticipate that we will be able to establish ourselves successfully within the strong international competitive field with our new motorcycle.”

[slowpoke]

With BMW's engineering excellence and bucketfuls of deutchmarks I have no doubt the things will be fuggin' quick. I do however have grave concerns based on BMW's previous aesthetic history that they'll be fuggin' ugly.......

[roogazza]

Hey poke ! I'm bet'n they are all going to have to work hard against the new Duc !?
Baylis has said the new bike has all the gaps filled where the 999 was puffing a bit . My money is on the Aussie. Gaz.