posted Feb 27, 2009

There is no comparison at all between MotoGP and SBK. The bikes are so far advanced in MotoGP from the machinery in SBK, it is unbelievable. Take it from me, I have ridden a MotoGP machine and it is like another world. The difference in skill level required and the technical savvy needed to set the thing up are totally different. Rossi, Stoner, Pedrosa et al are the best riders on the planet and that is the reason they get paid to ride the best machinery.
Have you not noticed how 'well' SBK riders do when they switch to MotoGP? Some of them simply cannot adapt and that is simply because the skills needed are far more advanced than riding what is essentially a road bike brilliantly.

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posted Feb 28, 2009

I couldn't agree more. But I have to say from what I understand the set up of a MotoGP machinery is extremely complicated the options are endless even compared to Superbikes. As shown by the Toseland, (in my opinion he did very well in 08) in the later part of 08 without the help from a fast team mate made his set up was made very difficult, which dropped him back 4 or 5 places on the grid. Then add in to the equation riders style which can vary in many ways and that the fastest riders will always get the best mechanics, tyre men, suspension men, engine set up men as well as circuit knowledge and finally a teams budget. Then the difference between the fastest and the slowest riders at a GP, which over a whole race can often be measured in fractions of a second, or in tiny percentages is remarkable. I also believe riders that who come up through the 125, 250 GP route have some advantages, maybe small, over those who come from Superbikes, if only circuit knowledge. In other words even the slowest racers are very very fast. Mike Hailwood who was renown for being able to ride bad bikes fast would probably be put on the back foot in modern bike racing. So at the end of the day for me I just admire any motorcycle racers, whatever class from clubmans to MotoGP and thank them for giving us all some of the greatest racing in world sport... so I just watch and enjoy.

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posted Mar 1, 2009

I just heard that MotoGP is officially still on Eurosport with Toby and Julian but not Randy! Practice and qualifying will be live but a one hour delay on race day. This is the best news I have heard all year.

With regards the subject above, MotoGP will always have its place. Anyone who has stood there and watched/heard any MotoGP bike go past at full steam will second that. Plus I reckon Ben Spies will win SBK this year and all because of the tech passed down from MotoGP. Just wait til the tighter twistier circuits.

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posted Mar 2, 2009

"I just heard that MotoGP is officially still on Eurosport with Toby and Julian but not Randy!..."

I tried to start a new thread with this news last week, and it was highly critical of the BBC. Didn't get posted...what a surprise.

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posted Mar 5, 2009

I've watched both classes for at least the last 10 years (since my early teens), back then there was no doubt in my mind that MotoGP (or the 500cc class as it was back then) was the bike equivalent of F1, with the seemingly imperious Mick Doohan wiping the floor with pretty much anyone (which he would do with The Doctor in my opinion). Whereas WSB (with Foggy, Corser, Kosinsky, Slight et al) was more like touring cars, in the way that they were souped-up showroom bikes, which anyone could own.

I still think that MotoGP is the top class as the bikes are thoroughbred prototypes designed for sheer speed, but (after becoming 4-stroke, increasing the engine capacity etc) the gap has definately closed.

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posted Mar 6, 2009

For a start Doohon could only win the championship after Rainey broke his back and Schwantz lost his bottle. Even then he could only do it when he was on a machine miles ahead of everything else. The Yamaha and Suzuki that Rainey and Schwantz were on were nowhere near that Honda of his, yet he couldn’t win when they were around. Have you looked at the grids that he was up against when he won his titles? He could only do it once those better then him were not racing and no one else was on a bike that was anywhere near his. Most overrated world champion of all time.

Now back to the original question. Like someone said before when MotoGP had its lean years and Superbikes had a really strong grid with the likes of Foggy, Corser etc it was probably more fun to watch.

Over recent years MotoGP has been better, Superbikes seemed to turn into a place for older racers who couldn’t get rides anymore to go and retire, i.e. Barros and Biaggi, however this year its looking like a stronger grid, and there are a lot of teams in it, if those teams can be competitive it will be a lot of fun to watch.

bbc has not even noticed that Superbikes has started yet (which is a disgrace, and they should be ashamed of themselves)

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posted Mar 6, 2009

I agree wholeheartedly with 888ducati. hats off to these guys in all areas of the sport.I unashamedly suggest you take a look on you tube 'Irish road racing' eg mid antrim races. It is exciting to watch and most of the guys are racing for the thrill of it. Formula I cars have become so elitist and removed, it has lost millions of viewers. I hope the same doesn't happen to moto GP

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posted Mar 9, 2009

Levels of bike technology and (perceived) rider ability aside, WSB has provided more viewer entertainment for years now. And, given the amount of British riders in WSB this year, the BBC really should be doing a better job of covering it.

Given that it's got a lock on MotoGP, backing-up its motorcycle sport credentials by putting their hands in their pockets and springing for a highlights package of WSB (and BSB) races really shouldn't be out of the question.

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posted Mar 9, 2009

As a spectacle the superbikes format is far better value for money than MotoGp where you have the big race then two races with two strokes to sort out the 125 and 250 categories. The mix of bike types and two main races makes superbikes a far better day out.

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posted Oct 30, 2009

I know this thread is old but I forgot I posted a comment on here. To respond to an earlier remark I certainly wouldn't call someone who won 5 consecutive titles overrated whatsoever and, to be quite frank I think is a stupid remark.

As this season is drawing to close I think one can look back an say that it has been entertaining this year, whether it has been more so than SBK I'm not sure.

If I was to give a reason for why MotoGP should remain the premier class it would be due to it being the biggest of the classes showcasing prototype machines.

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