Difference Between MotoGP And WSBK

If you are a person who likes handlebars more than steering wheels, then we assume you know a few things about the fastest bike races on the planet under the name of MotoGP and WSBK(short for World SuperBiKe Championship). But here we explain, what exactly is the difference between MotoGP and WSBK, and how big is the difference?

Both MotoGP and WSBK are world-class motorcycle championships that have huge followings and entertain fans throughout the year. The entertainment factor, though, is not your average racing as the best racers worldwide go full-throttle and give you an edge-of-your-seat racing.

Firstly, let us explain the similarities between them as they are very few. Both the series are governed by the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme(FIM). Although the technical regulations are different, they are set by the same entity, Dorna, the FIM ruling body. Both series see top riders racing motorcycles on the best race circuits throughout the world to earn points in the championship, and the rider with the highest points by the end of the season is crowned as the Champion. And that’s where the similarities end. Let’s take a closer look at the differences based on a few key points that differentiate the world’s top racing championships.

1. Team Budget

   

   The first and foremost difference between MotoGP and WSBK is the budget allotted for each team, and it is much higher in MotoGP than for the teams in the Superbike World Championship. To be more specific, in MotoGP, teams can spend as much as they like on the bikes, testing purposes, latest equipment, staff etc. In contrast, in the Superbike World Championship, the spending on riders, bikes, and research is limited.

2. Bikes

   The bikes that race in both the series might look similar, and some of them have the same manufacturers, but under the hood, they are worlds apart.

   The bikes used in WSBK are basically race-tuned versions of production motorcycles that are available even for us to buy (if you have the cash, that is) and are more or less road legal.

   

   And on the other end, MotoGP bikes are purpose-built race machines, or prototypes, that have very few restrictions and are not available for us to purchase no matter how much you are ready to pay, except for those which are sometimes auctioned for charity purposes. This means that MotoGP bikes can be custom made from the fundamental structure and are therefore lighter due to lighter, high-tech materials like carbon fibre, titanium and magnesium and are faster due to the lack of restrictions on the engine tuning.

   The MotoGP bikes have a maximum allowed engine displacement of 1000cc, 4 cylinders and a maximum bore of 81mm. Engine supercharging or turbocharging is not allowed, with a maximum of only six gears. The minimum approved weight of a bike in MotoGP is 158kg. The engines produce up to 240bhp and usually reach speeds of up to 350kmph.

   

   You might think the restrictions for WSBK might restrict the development of bikes, but the hidden advantage is that it makes it more financially accessible for new teams to participate than the MotoGP. This, in a way, makes it look like a fairer race, as it does not become a point of which team is ready to spend the most money.

3. Electronics

   

   The modern-day MotoGP bikes are approved with only one standard ECU and software package to keep the competition fair. But, in the Superbike World Championship, the ECU and software is open for teams to choose from but is, of course, restricted by spending limits.

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4. Teams

   

   The difference between MotoGP and WSBK is a lot, with some manufacturers entering both series, while some choose one over the other. Both MotoGP and WSBK series have teams participating from Honda, Ducati, Yamaha, Aprilia and Suzuki. Still, the Superbike World Championship has exclusive entries from BMW & Kawasaki, whereas KTM can be seen on the grids of MotoGP only. The teams in MotoGP, of course, have much higher budgets than the teams in the WSBK and, therefore, are known for having all the latest gadgets, more advanced tech and parts along with the top mechanics.

5. Racing Season

   The MotoGP season is longer than the WSBK season, with 19 international rounds from March to late November. But, the Superbike World Championship calendar has only 13 international rounds that run from February to October.
   

   

   A typical MotoGP season has 18 rounds, with weekends featuring three 45-minute practice sessions; a rider’s time decides whether he will participate in the first qualifying segment or the second. The 10 fastest go to Q2, while the rest compete in Q1 and the fastest two from the Q1 progress to the second round.

   The times from Q1 will make up grid positions from 13 and below, while the Q2 section will decide the top 12 positions. Races will be on Sundays and, under normal circumstances, cover a distance between 95 and 130km with a time of around 40-45 minutes, depending on the track. The concept of Pit stops are rare, but they are allowed, usually in wet conditions when riders are allowed to switch to a bike with different tyre specifications. Points are awarded to the first 15 riders, 25 points for the fastest rider, and one for the rider who crosses the line in 15th.

   

   Despite both being run by the FIM, the race formats are not the same. There are 4 free practice sessions conducted on Friday and Saturday, before two ‘Superpole’ sessions, where the rider grid is decided. The combined practice times decide the fastest riders, and they are moved to SP2 and the slowest to SP1. The SP1 will see 2 of the fastest riders make it to SP2, and the rest will line up from the 13th position. The SP2 will help decide the top 12 grid positions of the riders. Now, there are two races, with a distance no longer than 110km. The points system, however, is the same as MotoGP.

6. Tracks

   

   Some of the races are held by both series on the same circuits worldwide, while some are held at different locations unique to that series. For example, in the UK, the Superbike World Championship is conducted at Donnington, and the MotoGP is held at the Silverstone circuit. In the USA, the MotoGP race occurs at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas, and the WSBK is held at the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, California. Both series hold a race at Losail in Qatar and the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in Australia.

7. Riders

   

   In the end, it’s the riders that make the racing as exciting as they are, and both the series has many fearless and talented racers who put it all on the line every time they race. However, With the most advanced bikes and the biggest paycheque, when it comes to the top riders, MotoGP is where you will find the best of the best. The likes of Valentino Rossi and Marc Márquez have proved their places at the pinnacle of motorcycle racing and now hold God-like status to their army of fans.

• • Valentino Rossi
  • Marc Marquez
  • Jorge Lorenzo
  • Andrea Dovizioso
  • Cal Crutchlow

World Superbike Championship

• • Carl Fogarty
  • Leon Camier
  • Jonathan Rea
  • Alex Lowes
  • Eugine Laverty
  • Marco Melandri

Now what makes the sport truly engaging for the riders are the fans, and both sports have a large number of followers. Motorcycle race fans are generally enthusiastic, knowledgeable and all at the races have a great time cheering their favourite racers. But, with some of the biggest fan clubs in motorsport history, the fans of MotoGP take it to another level. You will be able to see seas of yellow for the living legend Valentino Rossi and red for the truly miraculous Marc Marquez, and they take over the circuits with specific coloured T-Shirts, rider number flags and smoke grenades to cheer their riders in spectacular style.

No matter how much the difference is, the risk, the danger, the adrenaline rush for a rider scorching those tracks with blinding speeds is almost the same. The effort each of them has to put in shape and perform their best throughout the year is in the realm of superheroes.

This article is not just to explain the differences between these great sporting events but to show you all how underrated they actually are. Of course, the riders get a fat paycheque, and they live in luxury when not racing. Still, we need to remember that one small mistake and a distance of even a few millimetres may cause the riders to lose their life or if they somehow survive it, they might be crippled forever. We want to make sure that all sports are supported and given equal importance in all countries, especially India.

Surprisingly, India has a strong base of followers for MotoGP. John Abraham, the original DHOOM star and an avid bike enthusiast was named the MotoGP brand ambassador by Eurosport India. We hope to see more improvements in the Indian racing scene and expect one on the starting grid of one of these 2 sporting events.