Are the boys at BSB with their "stock" superbikes onto something?

**RobGassit** · 13th August 2012, 12:44

Superstock sounds awesome in 600 and 1000 guise. As for BMW domination, Suzuki have had a fair turn at it haven't they?
As for tyre costs, how about a bulk buy that the small teams can piggyback onto as well?

**Kevin G** · 13th August 2012, 14:01

OK If it is the way to go why did we only see 2x 1000cc machines enter for the championship as pointed out earlier?
600cc there were 4 bikes that did the nationals last year (all rounds)
If this is the future and the way forward why are the majority building supersport and superbike spec machines....I no understand.
If the stock format had taken off you could have seen supersport and superbike as we know them fading out this year and stock been the premier classes.

All the actions so far suggest that the majority that can afford to race 1000 and 600 cc machines at a National level would sooner race a modified bike....or is it that the stock rules are seen as a lesser class and they do not want to be seen riding a lesser bike?

Just asking....

**codgyoleracer** · 13th August 2012, 14:07

Originally Posted by Billy

Without a doubt,But then you know what they say,If it's got tits or tyres,Its gonna cost you money.

The point being,If we take the cost of engine modifications out of the equation,Then youve got more $$$$ to spend on tyres and testing.

Or option B, we bring in a new rule that states you can only run the machine on the brand and size/profile tyer it is sold with from new,Would certainly lessen the tyre bill,Not so sure about the crash damage though LOL

Yip outside of the bike build tyres is the next biggie, & as control tyres are very unlikey to happen anytime in the near future in NZ, the only other thing a governing body can do is as Billy says is dictate a tyre type as original or set a total amount allowed per machine per event.

**codgyoleracer** · 13th August 2012, 14:16

Originally Posted by Kevin G

OK If it is the way to go why did we only see 2x 1000cc machines enter for the championship as pointed out earlier?
600cc there were 4 bikes that did the nationals last year (all rounds)
If this is the future and the way forward why are the majority building supersport and superbike spec machines....I no understand.
If the stock format had taken off you could have seen supersport and superbike as we know them fading out this year and stock been the premier classes.

All the actions so far suggest that the majority that can afford to race 1000 and 600 cc machines at a National level would sooner race a modified bike....or is it that the stock rules are seen as a lesser class and they do not want to be seen riding a lesser bike?

Just asking....

IMO. It was a mistake to run both classes alongside each other in the first place, but I understand that there were pressures from a number of angles to run them both "side by side" under the guise that we'll let the "competitors decide"

The realistic outcome of that though - is that the competitors will / would rather continue on with whats sitting in their shed already.......... + as you say , if the stock option is presented as a "lesser prestigious class", then thats not gonna help either.

Chearly the two spec machine structure obtained the desired result for those that were batting for the Supesport side of things.

**Tony.OK** · 13th August 2012, 14:22

Originally Posted by Kevin G

OK If it is the way to go why did we only see 2x 1000cc machines enter for the championship as pointed out earlier?
600cc there were 4 bikes that did the nationals last year (all rounds)
If this is the future and the way forward why are the majority building supersport and superbike spec machines....I no understand.
If the stock format had taken off you could have seen supersport and superbike as we know them fading out this year and stock been the premier classes.

All the actions so far suggest that the majority that can afford to race 1000 and 600 cc machines at a National level would sooner race a modified bike....or is it that the stock rules are seen as a lesser class and they do not want to be seen riding a lesser bike?

Just asking....

How many new entries are coming in on "used race bikes"?
I built a new 1000cc stock machine for that class and it cost more than buying an ex top level bike, completely fooked up my finances though (my own fault) and it all turned to shit when the recession knocked work back.

**Maido** · 13th August 2012, 15:34

I think it you just did away with "super" full stop and forced the masses into having only a "stock" class then there would be no choice but to enter. I don't think you can run both as already pointed out.
I can see the benefit of running only stock classes, however I don't like the idea as it basically suits the newest bike out. I hate to say it but the more you can do the closer the bikes are in spec (sure it costs more). In the last 2 years in 600's you have had 4 different manufacturers on the podium. Prior to the big rule changes it was only ever 2 really.
Also, tyre size and brand would be very hard to do as most brands only run a dot approved race tyre 180/60/17 for the 600's, the 180/55 std size is yesterdays news.
I am not against it, just saying it is hard. And Chop is correct, tyres are the major cost. I have had my current race bike since 2008 (and I will be racing it this season too), it is still reasonably quick in comparison with the other 600's. Divide the original build costs by 4-5 years and it isn't as expensive as you think (minus the tyres of course).

**CHOPPA** · 13th August 2012, 18:49

I like the idea of stock. It would suit me and my bike down to the ground. Problem is that it would actually shrink the field. No one new would actually come to superbike because there have been so many ex factory bikes for as cheap as shit that dont sell.

Suzuki is probably the biggest driving force behind racing in NZ. This year they will have about 1/3 of the superbike field riding their bikes. If we made the rule stock then none of those bikes would be legal and they are not gonna be paying for Andrew or Robbie to be battling for the minor places. The only way I could see it working is if Suzuki have a new latest and greatest model due out just before the rule change is made

**Billy** · 13th August 2012, 19:17

Originally Posted by CHOPPA

I like the idea of stock. It would suit me and my bike down to the ground. Problem is that it would actually shrink the field. No one new would actually come to superbike because there have been so many ex factory bikes for as cheap as shit that dont sell.

Suzuki is probably the biggest driving force behind racing in NZ. This year they will have about 1/3 of the superbike field riding their bikes. If we made the rule stock then none of those bikes would be legal and they are not gonna be paying for Andrew or Robbie to be battling for the minor places. The only way I could see it working is if Suzuki have a new latest and greatest model due out just before the rule change is made

Well thats odd,Seeing as Stroudy was one of the competitors to approach me with the idea.

**Mental Trousers** · 13th August 2012, 19:29

The top teams usually build a new bike each season (although not always). Everyone else keeps improving what they've got, which is often one of the former top bikes in the field.

So moving from Superbike to Stock would mean the entire field buying new machinery. Then, to stay competitive, each year they have to either purchase that years model or purchase the upgraded bits.

That's the big problem with stocker rules.

**mossy1200** · 13th August 2012, 19:32

Logic says a brand has more value if what it sells in the shop wins.
If you cant make the top stock bike you need invest in the best rider to make your bike place better.

Thats good for the riders. I think so. Spend the money on a rider rather than a bike that isnt sold to the public.

Even further than that if you dont have a Stroud etc what do you do. You sign a future prospect on a 3 year deal at a smaller price and develop them to be the winners of the seasons coming knowing your cost is now only a factory bike plus pipe and tires and a fixed rider fee rather than 3 times 100k bike.

**CHOPPA** · 13th August 2012, 19:33

Originally Posted by Billy

Well thats odd,Seeing as Stroudy was one of the competitors to approach me with the idea.

I dont think Stoudy signs the cheques at Suzuki though. If Tom was all over it then id be convinced. Without his support I dont think we would have much of a class

Like I say I think it would be a good move but unless Suzuki and Honda etc have a new bike on the horizon they are not going to support the ruling because the current rules provide parity between the brands.

**CHOPPA** · 13th August 2012, 19:35

Originally Posted by Billy

Well thats odd,Seeing as Stroudy was one of the competitors to approach me with the idea.

You should challenge Andrew to ride a 'stock' bike this year. I will run the same spec

**worm13** · 13th August 2012, 19:39

ego trip much??

**CHOPPA** · 13th August 2012, 19:43

Originally Posted by worm13

ego trip much??

How would you get that when im suggesting I need a better bike to be able to beat him??

Do people have to speak really slowly to you normally?

**Billy** · 13th August 2012, 19:43

Originally Posted by CHOPPA

I dont think Stoudy signs the cheques at Suzuki though. If Tom was all over it then id be convinced. Without his support I dont think we would have much of a class

Like I say I think it would be a good move but unless Suzuki and Honda etc have a new bike on the horizon they are not going to support the ruling because the current rules provide parity between the brands.

Yerr,Not going to go to far into it,But the conversation started with,Tom and I were talking and we wondered.......