MotoGP/SBK classes explained please?

[skelstar]

Can anyone shed any light on the difference between the two classes?

I vaguely understand that the SBKs are meant to be quite close to the road bikes they are based on, but would love to know how close. I also understand that there is a limit to how standard/similar the MotoGP bikes can be?

Thanks in advance!

[Morcs]

Are you wanting to know the difference between moto gp and SKB, or the different classes in each one.

SBK are based on road machines.
Moto GP are built soley for MotoGP and are built from scratch.

[skelstar]

I want to know how the SBK bikes are different from road going bikes. What are the rules etc? Similarly are there restrictions on the MotoGP bikes other than capacity (and maybe induction).

[Cajun]

NOTE - good link - http://www.worldsbk.com/contents_diff.php (What difference is there in the performance of a Superbike and a MotoGP bike?)



http://www.worldsbk.com/contents_reg.php <- some worldsbk rules, pretty much have to based of a road going bike, (with plenty of go fast bits, but this is also tightly controlled motorwise), also weight(depends on cc)

pretty sure motogp rules are really depends on cc depends on cylinders sorta thing is a weight, and as long as no parts are off a production bike its open to how big your cheque book is

Read Below if you want indepth rules other wise look away now

2.1.1 Motorcycle models permitted in Superbike
Motorcycle models permitted in the World Superbike Championship and World Supersport Championship and in the Superstock Cup must be recent or current production models and readily available through normal dealership channels.
2.9.2 Homologation and minimum number of machines manufactured
Superstock: Manufacturers must produce at least 1000 bikes prior to homologation, and roadgoing machines must be on sale within 90 days from the date of the homologation inspection. At least 25 machines must be made available for inspection on this date.
Supersport: Manufacturers who manufacture more than 75,000 motorcycles a year must produce at least 1000 of the bikes for which they are requesting homologation, while manufacturers who manufacture fewer than 75,000 need only produce at least 500. The same rules governing sale and inspection apply in both Superstock and Supersport.
Superbike: Any bike already homologated for Superstock may, on application from the manufacturer, also be homologated for Superbike at any time.
Minimum manufacturing volumes for Superbike are as follows. Manufacturers who manufacture more than 100,000 motorcycles a year must produce at least 500 of the bikes for which they are requesting homologation, while manufacturers who manufacture between 50,000 and 100,000 need only produce 250, and those who manufacture less than 50,000 need only produce 150.



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.
The World Superbike Championship, World Supersport Championship, the FIM Superstock 1000 Cup, and the European Superstock 600 Championship are top level motorcycle racing competitions for bikes based on standard production motorcycles.
Superbike is the category that permits most modifications. Supersport is already more oriented towards the type of machine you can normally purchase from your local dealer. The two Superstock championships are the competitions most strictly tied to standard production models.
The rules of Superbike are designed to allow teams the freedom to modify or change certain parts in the interest of safety, research and development, but certain limits are imposed to avoid the escalation of costs and power output (article 2.4 of the Rules). These restrictions are needed to avoid transforming the championship into a competition for prototypes disguised as production bikes.
The overall appearance of a Superbike racing motorcycle, seen from the front, rear and sides, must correspond to that of the bike homologated for use on public roads, with the sole exception of the exhaust system.
Superbike racing motorcycles must have four stroke engines of between 800 and 1000 cc for twins, and between 750 and 1000 cc for triples and four cylinder machines (article 2.4.1).
Since 2004, to balance out the performance of the various engine configurations, differentiated levels of preparation have been permitted. Twins and triples up to 900 cc are allowed to change all the rotating parts in the engine (meaning that only the crankcase, cylinder heads, cylinder blocks and the number of cylinders must remain the same as on the standard bikes). Four cylinder machines are required to use a larger number of roadgoing components (including the crankshaft, and valvegear, etc.).
Minimum weight is set at 165 kilograms, as measured at the end of the race, with a tolerance of only 1%. Refuelling or adding oil is not permitted.
Superbike racing uses standard lead-free fuel.
Supersport bikes must have four stroke engines of between 400 and 600 cc for four cylinder machines, and between 600 and 750 cc for twins. Minimum weight is 162 kg for four cylinder machines, and 170 kg for twins.
FIM Superstock Cup machines must also have four stroke engines of between 600 and 1000 cc for four cylinder machines, between 750 and 1000 cc for triples, or between 850 and 1200 for twins. Minimum weight is decided by the FIM at the time of homologation and is equivalent to the dry weight of the roadgoing model minus 15 kilograms.
The European Superstock 600 Championship is based on 600 cc production motorcycles and is reserved for riders between 15 and 20 years of age. The Superstock 1000 championship is open to riders up to 24 years of age.

[Ivan]

How did the Petronas make it in it wasnt a road going bike?

[White trash]

How did the Petronas make it in it wasnt a road going bike?

Because they built and homologated 150 of them, that's how.

[White trash]

I want to know how the SBK bikes are different from road going bikes. What are the rules etc? Similarly are there restrictions on the MotoGP bikes other than capacity (and maybe induction).

A MotoGP bike must be prototype. It's not permitted to share parts with a road going or production machine. Hence the reason the WCM team was diqualified early on in the piece as (allegidly) the crankcases shared too many likenesses to the R1 the chasis was based on.
SuperBikes MUST share certain parts of the production machine they're based on. Especially enginewise.

[skelstar]

A MotoGP bike must be prototype. It's not permitted to share parts with a road going or production machine.

Is this because the technology is proven? What would the MotoGP restrictions try to promote?

[White trash]

I think the idea is to make it an exciting field with manufacturers constantly pushing the boundarys, and it's certainly done that. Imagine ten years ago if someone had of said there'll be five different manufacturers fighting for the race win. You'd look at them like they just shat in you poridge.

I mean, 230hp outta an 800cc motorcycle? WTF?? That's just crazy.

The downside is, it makes geting to the grid prohibitively expensive. The only true private team being KR and they're using a Honda motor now anyway.

Another point (Christ I'm rambling) is that they had to go to Four strokes. The old 500GP class was stagnating and nothing new was happening. They couldn't have production based machines, there's already an immensly successfull series for them. And make no mistake, WSBK and MotoGP ARE competitors in terms of business.

[sugilite:Me]

Because they built and homologated 150 of them, that's how.

Or did they? I read an article that said the 150 bikes never existed, I suppose they did no bother to enforce that rule as it was never competitive and they needed the numbers to make the grids in those days

[boostin]

The best answer I have come up with when trying to explain to non bikers is

MotoGP = Formula One
WSB = Touring Cars, or similar.