Discussion
I love BSB, it’s always provided the closest racing. Of course i would prefer to see more competition towards the Ducati’s but you cant blame them for creating the best bike.
The longer bike release cycles nowadays likely has a lot to do with it. The current R1 was released in 2015, the Fireblade, ZX10 and GSXR have all seen revisions but underneath, probably a little long in the tooth now. We can see this as it’s only the Bimota that can consistently run near the front.
Im not a fan of restrictions but if they other manufactures can fed up and leave, we wont have a series so a tricky one.
The longer bike release cycles nowadays likely has a lot to do with it. The current R1 was released in 2015, the Fireblade, ZX10 and GSXR have all seen revisions but underneath, probably a little long in the tooth now. We can see this as it’s only the Bimota that can consistently run near the front.
Im not a fan of restrictions but if they other manufactures can fed up and leave, we wont have a series so a tricky one.
There are further balancing rules coming to WSBK over the next de years. Even Ducati acknowledge this isn't sustainable I believe.
WorldSBK reveals new ‘roadmap’ with major changes due over next four years | Crash.net https://www.crash.net/wsbk/news/1102020/1/worldsbk...
WorldSBK reveals new ‘roadmap’ with major changes due over next four years | Crash.net https://www.crash.net/wsbk/news/1102020/1/worldsbk...
GreigR said:
I love BSB, it s always provided the closest racing. Of course i would prefer to see more competition towards the Ducati s but you cant blame them for creating the best bike.
The longer bike release cycles nowadays likely has a lot to do with it. The current R1 was released in 2015, the Fireblade, ZX10 and GSXR have all seen revisions but underneath, probably a little long in the tooth now. We can see this as it s only the Bimota that can consistently run near the front.
Im not a fan of restrictions but if they other manufactures can fed up and leave, we wont have a series so a tricky one.
Sports bikes just don't sell in enough numbers for the big manufacturers to invest in the development and build costs of a new machine. They work in volume, and need to be able to sell a high number at a lower price than the 'niche' (Italian) manufacturers.The longer bike release cycles nowadays likely has a lot to do with it. The current R1 was released in 2015, the Fireblade, ZX10 and GSXR have all seen revisions but underneath, probably a little long in the tooth now. We can see this as it s only the Bimota that can consistently run near the front.
Im not a fan of restrictions but if they other manufactures can fed up and leave, we wont have a series so a tricky one.
Because of that I can't see a new R1 or Fireblade with enough revolution to take the fight to Ducati and more recently Bimota (although I don't see them as a longterm option) so it will eventually become a Ducati series I suspect.
You can't blame anyone for that; it's a natural consequence of the incredibly high-tech and high-cost machines needed to compete. Ducati's model sells very high cost machines to some very dedicated collectors and enthusiasts so their model works. Win on Sunday, sell on Monday. Or sell last Friday in a lot of cases, such is their following. For the Japanese big four they'd need to win on Sunday and sell 200 on Monday to make it even half viable and sports bikes just aren't bought in that volume any more.
The only potential shake up will be if one of the big Chinese groups wades in with a loss-leader, which I wouldn't write off.
srob said:
GreigR said:
I love BSB, it s always provided the closest racing. Of course i would prefer to see more competition towards the Ducati s but you cant blame them for creating the best bike.
The longer bike release cycles nowadays likely has a lot to do with it. The current R1 was released in 2015, the Fireblade, ZX10 and GSXR have all seen revisions but underneath, probably a little long in the tooth now. We can see this as it s only the Bimota that can consistently run near the front.
Im not a fan of restrictions but if they other manufactures can fed up and leave, we wont have a series so a tricky one.
Sports bikes just don't sell in enough numbers for the big manufacturers to invest in the development and build costs of a new machine. They work in volume, and need to be able to sell a high number at a lower price than the 'niche' (Italian) manufacturers.The longer bike release cycles nowadays likely has a lot to do with it. The current R1 was released in 2015, the Fireblade, ZX10 and GSXR have all seen revisions but underneath, probably a little long in the tooth now. We can see this as it s only the Bimota that can consistently run near the front.
Im not a fan of restrictions but if they other manufactures can fed up and leave, we wont have a series so a tricky one.
Because of that I can't see a new R1 or Fireblade with enough revolution to take the fight to Ducati and more recently Bimota (although I don't see them as a longterm option) so it will eventually become a Ducati series I suspect.
You can't blame anyone for that; it's a natural consequence of the incredibly high-tech and high-cost machines needed to compete. Ducati's model sells very high cost machines to some very dedicated collectors and enthusiasts so their model works. Win on Sunday, sell on Monday. Or sell last Friday in a lot of cases, such is their following. For the Japanese big four they'd need to win on Sunday and sell 200 on Monday to make it even half viable and sports bikes just aren't bought in that volume any more.
The only potential shake up will be if one of the big Chinese groups wades in with a loss-leader, which I wouldn't write off.
But i can say with a degree of certainty that Ryde is going to be BSB champion again this year
A Chinese brand has won a few WSS rounds already this year using all their own engineering I believe.
So it will change
We have been here before, the early days of SBK were totally dominated by Ducato as was the post Michelin era in 03.
I do think if they are sold their business model will change however
So it will change
We have been here before, the early days of SBK were totally dominated by Ducato as was the post Michelin era in 03.
I do think if they are sold their business model will change however
But then which way do they go?
Do they go boutique that only the really wealthy can afford and maintain an air of luxury?
Or do they go cheaper to open the brand up to everyone and tarnish the exclusivity feel that owners of some of the special models possibly feel like they have?
Will also be interesting to see what impact this has on WSBK and MotoGP
Do they go boutique that only the really wealthy can afford and maintain an air of luxury?
Or do they go cheaper to open the brand up to everyone and tarnish the exclusivity feel that owners of some of the special models possibly feel like they have?
Will also be interesting to see what impact this has on WSBK and MotoGP
theoperative said:
But then which way do they go?
Do they go boutique that only the really wealthy can afford and maintain an air of luxury?
Or do they go cheaper to open the brand up to everyone and tarnish the exclusivity feel that owners of some of the special models possibly feel like they have?
Will also be interesting to see what impact this has on WSBK and MotoGP
If they go boutique then they'll need to keep winning races as a lot of the people buying them buy into the whole lifestyle - the backstage passes to MotoGP etc.Do they go boutique that only the really wealthy can afford and maintain an air of luxury?
Or do they go cheaper to open the brand up to everyone and tarnish the exclusivity feel that owners of some of the special models possibly feel like they have?
Will also be interesting to see what impact this has on WSBK and MotoGP
As for the Chinese taking over a couple of years ago I'd have agreed instantly. However a few things make me think it might not go that way now.
The takeover of European manufacturers by Chinese groups really hasn't gone that well. Don't ask me how I know, but it might explain why I have so much free time now
. Secondly the huge volume of Chinese budget EVs is state-backed to force the opposition in that sector into submission - I don't see the state would see the sports bike market worth doing that to. And finally many of those EVs were already available in China as their EV infrastructure is so well installed already.I suspect we will see at least one Chinese superbike, and CFMoto etc are clearly on a bit of a path to something but I'm not convinced it'll be a mass-takeover in the longterm.
Honestly some of the worst sports coverage I have ever seen.
The director keep flitting back and forward to different groups, he or she is completely and utterly obsessed with showing groups together, even if they are 15th.
You have a lead group of 5 people climbing up falling away, they show that for one bend, then keep the camera on the same corner and lose the group, no flow, no pattern to it, other than " we will show groups of riders," that is what people want to see. So obviously scripted, not at all organic
NO people want to see a group of bikes up front primarily, not people wobbling about in 15th place.
The director keep flitting back and forward to different groups, he or she is completely and utterly obsessed with showing groups together, even if they are 15th.
You have a lead group of 5 people climbing up falling away, they show that for one bend, then keep the camera on the same corner and lose the group, no flow, no pattern to it, other than " we will show groups of riders," that is what people want to see. So obviously scripted, not at all organic
NO people want to see a group of bikes up front primarily, not people wobbling about in 15th place.
bergclimber34 said:
Honestly some of the worst sports coverage I have ever seen.
The director keep flitting back and forward to different groups, he or she is completely and utterly obsessed with showing groups together, even if they are 15th.
You have a lead group of 5 people climbing up falling away, they show that for one bend, then keep the camera on the same corner and lose the group, no flow, no pattern to it, other than " we will show groups of riders," that is what people want to see. So obviously scripted, not at all organic
NO people want to see a group of bikes up front primarily, not people wobbling about in 15th place.
Sounds as bad as the crappy footage I did on friday . Maybe its something to do with the weather.The director keep flitting back and forward to different groups, he or she is completely and utterly obsessed with showing groups together, even if they are 15th.
You have a lead group of 5 people climbing up falling away, they show that for one bend, then keep the camera on the same corner and lose the group, no flow, no pattern to it, other than " we will show groups of riders," that is what people want to see. So obviously scripted, not at all organic
NO people want to see a group of bikes up front primarily, not people wobbling about in 15th place.
bergclimber34 said:
Honestly some of the worst sports coverage I have ever seen.
The director keep flitting back and forward to different groups, he or she is completely and utterly obsessed with showing groups together, even if they are 15th.
You have a lead group of 5 people climbing up falling away, they show that for one bend, then keep the camera on the same corner and lose the group, no flow, no pattern to it, other than " we will show groups of riders," that is what people want to see. So obviously scripted, not at all organic
NO people want to see a group of bikes up front primarily, not people wobbling about in 15th place.
Some of us quite like that some of the riders not at the front get some coverage.The director keep flitting back and forward to different groups, he or she is completely and utterly obsessed with showing groups together, even if they are 15th.
You have a lead group of 5 people climbing up falling away, they show that for one bend, then keep the camera on the same corner and lose the group, no flow, no pattern to it, other than " we will show groups of riders," that is what people want to see. So obviously scripted, not at all organic
NO people want to see a group of bikes up front primarily, not people wobbling about in 15th place.
Jazoli said:
airsafari87 said:
Any news on Max Cook? That looked like a nasty one.
Was knocked unconscious, gone to Southampton hospital for assessment according to official BSB on X
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