A la WBSK early 2000's. I love MotoGP but I will find it hard to watch if it becomes 2 or 4 factory Ducati's against a field of customer bikes and a few other manufacturers.
So if they are doing away with the R1, what does that mean for their WSBK program? WSBK in general? If Honda and Yamaha no longer make a bike that is eligible, it either becomes a Ducati cup or other manufacturers have to make smaller bikes. Does WSS become the new WSBK?
The future is unclear. If the FIM have a plan, they aren't dropping any hints. WSBK homologations are for 5 years so they R1 will be around for awhile, even if it loses road homologation in 2025.
The next-generation bikes in WSSP could step up. Several bikes have a higher performance threshold than the current SSP state of tune, but the next-gen concept is still undersubscribed. Ducati, MV and Suzuki currently make bikes that can be tuned upwards of 150hp. But the GSX-R750 is not homologated for road riding in Europe, and it doesn't have throttle by wire stock. The R9 might arrive in 2025. Is that a strong enough foundation for a next-gen SBK class? What if Triumph join with a proper 765? Is that enough performance to keep fans engaged? What if they bring back Monza?
There are technical headwinds to next generation Superbike because WSSP is WWE compared to WSBK. The SSP rules allow fewer modifications to keep costs down. This means that the BoP is determined by the attributes of the bike. I think they might control engine mapping by gear. In SBK, everyone has 1000cc and 4-cylinders. The engines should make similar peak power and torque through the entire rev range, and the teams pick their gear sets and sprockets for each race. Can the highest production racing class embrace BoP that is controlled by the attributes of the homologated motorcycle? Like FIA GT3, will they need to make adjustments on a track by track basis?
And even bigger picture, the FIM will need to renegotiate the commercial rights agreement for MotoGP in 2032. Is that the point at which the FIM and Dorna make a deal to consolidate Superbike and GP into a single championship?
I have no idea what's going on. I hope that WSBK remains independent from GP. Since 200hp ride by wire missiles are not a sales hit, I hope WSBK finds a way to encourage road-relevant machines that people can afford. I hope bike sophistication is dialed back to reduce the technical and budgetary strain on private teams and manufacturers. Hopefully, they will create a naked sport class.
When Superbikes made 100hp on the road and 150hp on the track, it was much more popular than now. Not saying we should wind back the clock 30 years to carbs, but 200hp wire-guided bikes are not doing the business.