Explain Different Racing Series Please?

I've been watching for a couple of years now and have never seen an official word. Can someone explain to me the difference between Moto GP and WSBK?

Is WSBK where guys go to retire when they can no longer compete in Moto GP? That's what it appears like. Except it looks like Troy Bayliss and a few others could still be in GP.

Can someone explain this please?

Thanks,

Curt

Welcome to the forum mate.
......
WSBK, it is an ordinary bike sell out there (you can buy it on the dealer next to you) and each WSBK team modified it especially for the race

MotoGP, it is an absolutely prototype bike. You can have the latest, the fastest bike ever on the earth here -ON THE GRID . There's no way you could find it on the road.

...
Oh and the commentators too...

Thanks for the welcome.

Yes, this answer does help. But Moto GP is the premier series right? Do guys go to WSBK just before retiring? Is it that they lose they're ride in GP and go to WSBK?

Thanks again,

Curt

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BMW Mountain Boy @ Aug 7 2008, 05:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Thanks for the welcome.

Yes, this answer does help. But Moto GP is the premier series right? Do guys go to WSBK just before retiring? Is it that they lose they're ride in GP and go to WSBK?

Thanks again,

Curt
That seems to be the general view, but I think wsbk has gained popularity and more respect in recent years, and this year the racing has been a lot closer and more exciting, in my opinion anyway.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BMW Mountain Boy @ Aug 7 2008, 05:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Thanks for the welcome.

Yes, this answer does help. But Moto GP is the premier series right? Do guys go to WSBK just before retiring? Is it that they lose they're ride in GP and go to WSBK?

Thanks again,

Curt


That's debatable! Here in the UK we also have BSB (British Super Bike), these days riders seem to swap from one series to the other and back again depending on how well they do, but without a doubt Moto GP IS the premier class and even the rider in 18th place is still the 18th best rider in the world!

Ok, that clears things up a bit. Thanks guys.

Curt

My 2 cents:
Moto GP is the premire class with the best riders at the best race tracks on the best equipment with the highest corner speed. Moto GP events also attract 5x as many fans as WSBK. GP also attracts better branding and has recently focused on very advanced electronic assistence to achieve the highest performance ever demonstrated.

GP bikes are all 4cylinder 800cc vs 1200cc max for WSBK. You can buy the top WSBK bike for 50k. GP bikes cannot be purchased, but are leased for $3 million per season. Occasionally, there are MotoGP caliber riders in WSBK. These guys often make the jump (Toesland). MotoGP goes after younger talent for many reasons, which include underclass development investment, marketability and performance contracts.

Unlike WSBK, GP bikes and riders can be easily told apart because they have distinct sponsor color patterns. WSBK could learn a thing or two on that front.

After MotoGP downgraded from 1000cc power to 800cc for safety, WSBK races have been relatively more competitive at the front. Often a GP racer in the lead will break out from the pack. However, mid pack racing in GP continues to be stellar.

GP remains most popular in Italy and Spain but is trying to expand its market share. WSBK has done a better job at reaching a more diverse audience.

And yeah the announcers in MotoGP are phenomenal, with unsurpassed knowledge and wit. The events are also more exciting and the paddock girls are hotter.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (clarkjw @ Aug 7 2008, 01:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>And yeah the announcers in MotoGP are phenomenal, with unsurpassed knowledge and wit.

I personally prefer the WSB announcers. Its like you're watching the race at some pub with these two guys who go nuts after every turn and really dont give a .... about real facts and will just make things up. Personally I find it more enjoyable listening to them.

Thanks for your 2 cents. That was a very in depth explanation. That helps me understand even better.

Curt

Actually I don't agree with any of those explanations entirely.

WSBK and MotoGP require different riding styles so I don't think that you can make a blanket statement like "GP riders are the best" especially when you see wild card riders beating the regular motogp riders quite often. Typically, the top GP riders get paid more than the top WSBK riders so the best seem to gravitate to MotoGP but I'm sure that there are a lot of WSBK riders who could show the GP riders a thing or two... anyone heard of Troy Bayliss?

Also, show me where I can get "a top WSBK for 50k" and I'll buy one right now

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (#36 Fan @ Aug 7 2008, 06:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Actually I don't agree with any of those explanations entirely.

WSBK and MotoGP require different riding styles so I don't think that you can make a blanket statement like "GP riders are the best" especially when you see wild card riders beating the regular motogp riders quite often. Typically, the top GP riders get paid more than the top WSBK riders so the best seem to gravitate to MotoGP but I'm sure that there are a lot of WSBK riders who could show the GP riders a thing or two... anyone heard of Troy Bayliss?

Also, show me where I can get "a top WSBK for 50k" and I'll buy one right now

Gp does not field the best 18 riders in the world,probably like the top 7,and the rest would be interchangable with other top series.A lot of riders in Moto Gp have a ride for what they bring with them,namely sponsorship dollars.Bayliss,Biaggi,Haga, are easily as good or better than the last half of the field in Gp.Spies and Mladin in the AMA are to

Welcome Curt!
It seems like the other guys answered you question.
Assuming you are a fan of BMW.
Looks like BMW is going to join WSBK next year and hopefully Moto GP in a few years.
That's a good thing i think.They often have interresting technical solutions,different forks and a lot of other things i can't remember right now but i hope they stir things up a bit.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (#36 Fan @ Aug 8 2008, 09:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Also, show me where I can get "a top WSBK for 50k" and I'll buy one right now

It is stated in the current Australian Motorcycle news that you can but the exact CBR1000 Honda that Checa uses in WSBK from Ten Kate for $150,000 (probably Euro). They will even email you upgraded settings for the ECU as part of the package.

50,000 was a little optimistic however some of the back markers may have spent that much in Euro or Pounds - it's all relative. Still a hell of a lot cheaper than a GP bike.

Apparently the 1098R is close to the bike of Bayliss and the other Ducati riders so I’d guess a similar price on track.

SBK is a “race Sunday ride Monday” philosophy and has been increasing in popularity since its inception 20 years ago. Racing is cheaper and closer with more bikes in the field.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (#36 Fan @ Aug 8 2008, 12:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Actually I don't agree with any of those explanations entirely.

WSBK and MotoGP require different riding styles so I don't think that you can make a blanket statement like "GP riders are the best" especially when you see wild card riders beating the regular motogp riders quite often. Typically, the top GP riders get paid more than the top WSBK riders so the best seem to gravitate to MotoGP but I'm sure that there are a lot of WSBK riders who could show the GP riders a thing or two... anyone heard of Troy Bayliss?

Also, show me where I can get "a top WSBK for 50k" and I'll buy one right now
i agree. wsb bikes are far different from motogp bikes plus wsb do two short races rather than 1 longer race so both championships require different talents from there riders. ive seen wsb riders come over to gp and not do so well as i seen motogp riders go to wsb and also not do that well.
but thats not get to excited about troy, he may have won valencia 06 as a wild card but didn't really shine much any other time in gp.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (clarkjw @ Aug 7 2008, 06:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>My 2 cents:
Moto GP is the premire class with the best riders at the best race tracks on the best equipment with the highest corner speed. Moto GP events also attract 5x as many fans as WSBK. GP also attracts better branding and has recently focused on very advanced electronic assistence to achieve the highest performance ever demonstrated.

GP bikes are all 4cylinder 800cc vs 1200cc max for WSBK. You can buy the top WSBK bike for 50k. GP bikes cannot be purchased, but are leased for $3 million per season. Occasionally, there are MotoGP caliber riders in WSBK. These guys often make the jump (Toesland). MotoGP goes after younger talent for many reasons, which include underclass development investment, marketability and performance contracts.

Unlike WSBK, GP bikes and riders can be easily told apart because they have distinct sponsor color patterns. WSBK could learn a thing or two on that front.

After MotoGP downgraded from 1000cc power to 800cc for safety, WSBK races have been relatively more competitive at the front. Often a GP racer in the lead will break out from the pack. However, mid pack racing in GP continues to be stellar.

GP remains most popular in Italy and Spain but is trying to expand its market share. WSBK has done a better job at reaching a more diverse audience.

And yeah the announcers in MotoGP are phenomenal, with unsurpassed knowledge and wit. The events are also more exciting and the<u> paddock girls are hotter.</u>

that's what i'm talking about








agree with this post 100% though

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (#36 Fan @ Aug 7 2008, 05:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Actually I don't agree with any of those explanations entirely.

WSBK and MotoGP require different riding styles so I don't think that you can make a blanket statement like "GP riders are the best" especially when you see wild card riders beating the regular motogp riders quite often. Typically, the top GP riders get paid more than the top WSBK riders so the best seem to gravitate to MotoGP but I'm sure that there are a lot of WSBK riders who could show the GP riders a thing or two... anyone heard of Troy Bayliss?

Also, show me where I can get "a top WSBK for 50k" and I'll buy one right now
As has been added by others here you make some good points but I think some of them are a bit askew. Like said, the top seven, I'll say the top 10 riders on the GP grid are the best in the world. Riders 11 through 18 are interchangeable with the top riders from WSB, BSB and AMA. That's why wildcard riders rarely break the top 10. Troy Bayliss is an anomaly. He got the short end of the stick and should never have left GP but that's the way it works. Wrong passport and floundering results for two seasons on the trot. His debut season was quite impressive, only losing out on RoY honors to Hayden by a few points.

As far as salary, Rossi is on another planet. After his astronomical pay believed to be near $20 million US from Yamaha alone (last I checked, if someone has any recent concrete evidence that would be helpful), the highest earner is John Hopkins at $5 million US annually. I know Hayden is making somewhere around $2 million US and I would assume that Pedrosa, Melandri, Lorenzo and Capirossi are making similar numbers. That's right in line with what 'the other best' riders make. I know Mladin sits at a comfortable $2 million US, that's also Spies's current salary and what he is demanding from GP teams. And from what I've read, most every factory rider in the AMA is making at least $1 million. Bayliss is making around $2 million as well. When half the GP field are under $1 million annually and some are riding for next to nothing. So I wouldn't say money is the driving factor to MotoGP, in fact I would say that money is putting a lot of talent in WSB and AMA.

Ducati 1098R:
$39,995 MSRP and ridden by the best rider(s) in WSBK
1200cc
180hp - 132.4kw @ 9750rpm
99.1lb-ft 134Nm @ 7750rpm
World Superbike rule changes mean that the road-going 'R' version is closer than ever to our factory race bike. The 1098 R is not a replica - it's the real deal. An incredible 180hp L-Twin Testastretta Evoluzione engine in a race-winning Trellis chassis set-up tips the scales at an unbelievably lightweight 165kg (364lbs) and comes with a race kit that introduces Ducati Corse's world championship winning traction control system.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (clarkjw @ Aug 8 2008, 10:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Ducati 1098R:
$39,995 MSRP and ridden by the best rider(s) in WSBK
1200cc
180hp - 132.4kw @ 9750rpm
99.1lb-ft 134Nm @ 7750rpm
World Superbike rule changes mean that the road-going 'R' version is closer than ever to our factory race bike. The 1098 R is not a replica - it's the real deal. An incredible 180hp L-Twin Testastretta Evoluzione engine in a race-winning Trellis chassis set-up tips the scales at an unbelievably lightweight 165kg (364lbs) and comes with a race kit that introduces Ducati Corse's world championship winning traction control system.

The "Closer than ever to our factory race bike" quote is a little misleading.It may be closer than ever but its still not close to a WSB factory Ducati.Thats about 30 to 35 HP shy of whay a factory superbike is pushing.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (povol @ Aug 8 2008, 09:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>The "Closer than ever to our factory race bike" quote is a little misleading.It may be closer than ever but its still not close to a WSB factory Ducati.Thats about 30 to 35 HP shy of whay a factory superbike is pushing.
and several hundred thousand pounds cheaper !

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (roger-m @ Aug 8 2008, 09:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>and several hundred thousand pounds cheaper !

12x cheaper and 40lbs heavier than a GP bike.

The Complete stainless-steel 2-in-1 manifold kit 1098R and High-efficiency air filter give you 20 extra ponies. Sold as accessories via ducati.com. I know there are some WSBK fanatics here, but Stoner's laptimes vs Baylis' says it all

Baylis Assen - 1'39.562
Stoner Assen - 1'36.738