What's the difference between MotoGP and SBK Superbike?

[TrueBlueFlyer]

I just signed up to volunteer the SBK Superbike race at Phillip Island same place that will hold the MotoGP race towards the end of the season. What's the difference between the two series, both are FIM World Championships, right?

[Asp]

A very poor way of describing it is that MotoGP is more like Formula 1; SBK is more like Touring Cars. (Sorry to some people that will read this - it's a comparison by way of contrast, OK?)

In slightly better terms - MotoGP is the premier series of bike racing. The bikes are purposed designed for racing and you can't buy them in the shops. There's three series that come with the "package": now originally called Moto3, Moto2, and MotoGP as the top class, working on a traditional 'feeder series' basis.

World Superbikes are for tuned versions of roadgoing bikes, and there are homologation requirements. Support series are Supersports and Superstocks, with appropriate degrees of modifications allowed.

In the mid 90s, World Superbikes probably was the 'bigger' series in terms of crowd sizes etc - at least in the UK, predominantly because of British success in the series. Therefore a lot of people have had the belief that SBK is the "main" series, wheras it is MotoGP that is the 'proper' world championship.

Both are FIM series as you predicted.

[kartincolin]

The vast majority of people would recognise MotoGP as the highest level of motorcycle grand prix racing, and SBK as the second best. This isn`t official, just based on exposure and perception.

World Superbikes are essentially road going superbikes with slight racing modifications made to them (vey simply put). What I mean is, if you go into your local Aprilia dealer, the RSV4 that you see will not be too far off the spec that Biaggi won the title on.

MotoGP bikes on the other hand are pure prototypes, built for racing and absolutely nothing else. MotoGP bikes would be considered to be faster around most circuits, but usually by a relatively small margin. Both are motorcycle world championships and both are absolutely fantastic to watch or attend!

[TrueBlueFlyer]

Indeed... I've done the MotoGP at Indianapolis followed by a Superbike race at New Jersey Motorsport Park. I don't believe the one in NJ had anything to do with FIM though.

[gomick]

That wouldve been an AMA Superbike round at NJ...

[TrueBlueFlyer]

Originally Posted by gomick

That wouldve been an AMA Superbike round at NJ...

yes, correct

[gomick]

Good chance it will be stinking hot at the Island at WSBK in Feb, 41 degrees in Melbourne today - fun day at work today

[formerf1champ]

There was no wind as well!

[chunder]

Looking at what Dorna are planning, the main difference between the two in 2014 will be stock and prototype.

WSB and WSS will be largely stock classes, and perhaps also get rid of one of the other classes, more likely Superstock 1000 and 600 and replace with something nmew

Dorna will rule the world, wont they Carmelo, oh Flammini, after all these years, it muct have been a good payoff!!

[TrueBlueFlyer]

Originally Posted by gomick

Good chance it will be stinking hot at the Island at WSBK in Feb, 41 degrees in Melbourne today - fun day at work today

in a way it will be good... I was freezing my ass off at Daytona International Speedway last weekend... and I thought Florida was supposed to be HOT!