3rd Year Special Annual Double Issue Vol 4 Issue 1 & 2 Jan - Apr 2 3rd Year Special Annual Double Issue Vol 4 Issue | Page 90

ADVENTURE & WILDLIFE
Superbike
Racing
S
uperbike racing is a category of motorcycle
racing that employs highly modified
production motorcycles, as opposed to
MotoGP in which purpose-built motorcycles are
used. The Superbike World Championship is
the official world championship series, though
national Superbike championships are held in
many countries, including the United Kingdom,
the United States, Japan, Australia and Canada.
Superbike racing is generally popular with
manufacturers, since it helps promote and sell
their product, as captured by the slogan “Win on
Sunday; Sell on Monday”.
Characteristics of Superbike Racing Motorcycles
Superbike racing motorcycles are derived from
standard production models, so for a bike to
be eligible, the manufacturer must first homolo-
90
gate the model and manufacture the required
number of roadgoing machines. While rules
vary from series to series, in general the motor-
cycles must maintain the same profile as their
roadgoing
counterparts,
with
the
same overall appearance as seen from
the front, rear and sides. In addition,
the frame cannot be modified. Teams may
modify some elements of the bike, including the
suspensions, brakes, swingarm, and the diameter
and size of the wheels.
Superbike racing motorcycles must have four-
stroke engines of between 850 cc and 1200 cc for
twins, and between 750 cc and 1000 cc for four
cylinder machines.
The
restriction
to
production
models
Vol 4 | Issue 2 |Mar - Apr 2019