According to people involved in the race, MotoGP will be changing from 1000cc to 850cc in 2027, and there is a possibility that the times will be slower than those of SBK, which competes on a production motorcycle basis. On the other hand, SBK is also undergoing a period of change as production of liter super sports cars is being discontinued one after another, and upper middle class races have begun. We will give you a complete prediction of the future of racing!
- Will rule changes in 2027 lead to a significant drop in MotoGP machine performance?
- The scope of modifications to the SBK, which is based on a 1000cc production motorcycle, is limited, but it can produce up to 240 PS.
- Comparing the time difference between MotoGP and SBK! Depending on the course, there is almost no difference!
- If MotoGP is being overturned, why not lower the performance of SBK too?
- The road version of the Yamaha R1 has been discontinued, will the Kawasaki 10R also be discontinued? And what about Suzuki?
- The Yamaha YZF-R7 has started to be a one-make model, and the Suzuki GSX-8R is also competing in races. And the YZF-R9?
- [Summary] MotoGP and production motorcycle racing are entering a period of change
Will rule changes in 2027 lead to a significant drop in MotoGP machine performance?
According to a racing insider familiar with the situation, "There is a possibility that in the future MotoGP machines will be slower than SBK (World Superbike Championship) racers."
As you know, MotoGP is the world's top motorcycle race, where each manufacturer competes with one-off racers developed with prestige at stake. However, from 2027, there will be changes to the regulations, such as increasing the maximum engine displacement from 1000 to 850cc.
This means that lap times may be slower than in SBK, where 1000cc-class road-legal commercial vehicles compete with tuned machines. In other words, SBK machines based on road-legal models that ordinary people can buy will be faster than MotoGP machines that bring together cutting-edge technology on a scale said to cost hundreds of millions of yen!?
MotoGP is a sport where huge amounts of money are spent to build a winning machine from scratch. Unlike commercial motorcycle, the engines and bodies are one-offs, and luxurious materials and parts are used lavishly. Maximum output is 280 to 300 horsepower, and the top speed is over 350 km/h. The photo shows Honda's RC213V.
In recent years, Ducati has dominated the field, with European manufacturers such as KTM and Aprilia also doing well. Meanwhile, Japanese manufacturers Honda and Yamaha, who had been perennial winners until then, are struggling.
This makes one question the very existence of MotoGP, but first let's take a quick look at the main points of the new regulations from 2027.
①Engine Displacement changed from 1000 to 850cc
Currently, the maximum engine displacement has been lowered from 1000cc to 850cc, and the maximum cylinder bore has been reduced from 81 to 75mm. Engines are limited to 4-stroke and 4-cylinder.
MotoGP was founded in 2002 and continued to use 990cc until the 2007-2011 season, when it changed to 800cc. The decision to go with 850cc this time appears to have been made out of consideration for constructors who were unfamiliar with the 800cc era. KTM and Aprilia were not competing at the time, and it is likely an intention to avoid giving an advantage to manufacturers with know-how from the 800cc era.
② Introduce 100% non-petroleum-based Fuels
In an effort to achieve sustainability, 100% non-fossil fuels (biofuels) will be mandatory from 2027. As of 2024, the race is already using 40% non-fossil fuels, but records are being broken at each circuit, so the impact on times may be minimal.
③ Restrictions on electronic controls and aerodynamic devices
The use of any vehicle height adjustment devices will be prohibited. All race start devices, including hole shot devices, will also be prohibited.
In addition, restrictions on aerodynamic items such as wings will be stricter. The maximum width of the front cowl will be reduced from 600 to 550 mm, and the height of the rear end will be reduced from 1250 to 1150 mm. The nose will be set back 50 mm, and restrictions will also be placed on the aerodynamics behind the rider. Manufacturers can update once per season. On the other hand, the minimum vehicle weight will be reduced from 157 to 153 kg.
The performance will be reduced in general, starting with the reduction in engine displacement, but these changes are due to the dramatic improvement in the performance of MotoGP machines. Sustainability and cost reduction also seem to be taken into consideration. The new rules will be applied from 2027 to 2031.
The scope of modifications to the SBK, which is based on a 1000cc production motorcycle, is limited, but it can produce up to 240 PS.
SBK (Superbike World Championship) is contested based on liter-class commercial models. The engines are 4-stroke 2-cylinder 1200cc or less, 3- and 4-cylinder 1000cc or less. Engine parts, camshafts can be changed, and machining of the crank and balance shaft is permitted.
Front fork changes and swingarm reinforcement are permitted, but the frame is almost the same as commercial models. There is not as much freedom in cowling design as in MotoGP. The minimum weight is 168kg, which is heavier than MotoGP (from 2024, this will be subject to change depending on the rider's weight).
Yamaha's YZF-R1 works racer is officially announced to have a nominal power output of over 220PS, and Ducati's Panigale V4R will have a power output of 240.5PS thanks to a race muffler and special oil.
SBK machines are based on road-legal production models. In the 2024 season, the following machines are competing: CBR1000RR-R (Honda), YZF-R1 (Yamaha), Ninja ZX-10RR (Kawasaki, pictured), Panigale V4R (Ducati), and M1000RR (BMW).
Comparing the time difference between MotoGP and SBK! Depending on the course, there is almost no difference!
Currently, the horsepower of MotoGP machines is said to be around 280 to 300 PS, and according to one theory, the rule change will reduce that by 30 PS. This means that the difference with SBK machines will be significantly smaller. Naturally, this will affect lap times, and depending on the course, they will be 1 to 2 seconds slower.
It depends on the circuit, but in fact the time difference between MotoGP and SBK machines is surprisingly small.
There are currently six circuits that host both MotoGP and SBK: Phillip Island, Barcelona, Assen, Aragon, Algarve, and Jerez. Comparing the lap records, MotoGP times were faster in all cases, but the difference is about a few tenths to two seconds depending on the course. Phillip Island, which has many medium and high-speed corners, is a close margin, while technical courses like Jerez have a difference of more than two seconds.
Phillip Island
MotoGP: Qualifying – 1:27.246 Race – 1:28:108
SBK: Qualifying – 1 min 27.916 sec Race – 1 minute 28 seconds 564
Aragon
MotoGP: Qualifying – 1 min 46.069 sec Race – 1 minute 48.089 seconds
SBK: Qualifying – 1:47.973 Race – 1 minute 49.028 seconds
Jerez
MotoGP: Qualifying – 1 min 36.170 sec Race – 1 minute 37.449 seconds
SBK: Qualifying – 1:38.247 Race – 1:39:004
If MotoGP is being overturned, why not lower the performance of SBK too?
On a course where the time difference is so close, it is certainly possible that SBK will be faster. By the way, the difference in tires should be taken into consideration. MotoGP is a one-make Michelin race, and the same tires are used throughout the race week (three types for front and rear). SBK uses Pirelli, and special tires for qualifying and soft tires for sprint races are prepared, so SBK has an advantage in terms of tires.
However, Dorna and FIM, which oversee international races, are aware of the possibility that MotoGP machines will be slower than SBK machines, and they plan to introduce new regulations with stricter restrictions for SBK as well. In order to maintain MotoGP as the highest level race, the performance of SBK machines will be adjusted to slow down the times as well.
This certainly maintains the dignity of MotoGP, but am I the only one who thinks it's a shame that performance is lowered to SBK in order to balance things out...?
The road version of the Yamaha R1 has been discontinued, will the Kawasaki 10R also be discontinued? And what about Suzuki?
However, not only MotoGP, but also races based on production bikes such as SBK are undergoing a period of change. This is because the production of the base motorcycles, liter super sports motorcycles, is being discontinued one after another.
As previously reported, Yamaha's YZF-R1 has been officially announced to be discontinued. In February 2024, Yamaha Racing Europe announced that "From 2025, we will only sell the YZF-R1 circuit model, and not the road model."
The reason is the European exhaust gas regulation, Euro 5+. Euro 5+ will be applied to new European motorcycles from January 2024, and to continued production of motorcycles (models produced by the end of December 2023) from January 2025. The road version of the R1 does not comply with this and will be discontinued.
Since its debut in 1998, the YZF-R1 has reigned as Yamaha's flagship SS. It has also been a great success in top races in the production vehicle category, such as SBK, the All Japan Championship, and the World Endurance Championship including the Suzuka 8 Hours.
And there is a possibility that Kawasaki's Ninja ZX-10R series will also be discontinued. The current model does not comply with Euro 5+, and will not be able to be sold unless it is remodeled to comply with the regulations. As if to support this, there has been a movement in SBK as well.
Until now, Kawasaki has continued to participate in works races but announced that it will transfer its activities to its subsidiary brand Bimota in 2025. In the future, an SBK homologation (officially approved) machine with a ZX-10RR engine mounted on a Bimota body will be developed.
This may be said to be a confirmation that the ZX-10R series will be discontinued. In addition, SBK homologation motorcycles have a price regulation of 44,000 euros (approximately $45970.01 or less), and a certain number of road-going production cars must be manufactured.
For premium brand Bimota, the high price tag seems manageable, but the problem is meeting exhaust gas regulations and manufacturing a set number of units. It needs to comply with Euro 5+, and there are regulations such as 125 units or more at the time of homologation registration, and 250 units or more by the end of December of the year of participation. Bimota's selling point is its small-scale handmade production, so will Kawasaki cooperate?
The 2021 model of the Ninja ZX-10R/RR is Euro 5 compliant. At the time of writing, it has not yet met the next regulation. The first model debuted in 2004, and was one of the first Japanese-made SS models to reach 200 PS. It has won SBK five times in a row and the Suzuka 8 Hours, making it a representative model in commercial racing.
The 2024 model of Honda's CBR1000RR-R is Euro 5+ compliant, so it should be safe for the time being. There is a possibility that production will be discontinued for some reason, but it will legally be able to survive in Europe after 2025.
And we have high hopes for Suzuki. They ended production of the GSX-R1000R in 2022, and quickly withdrew from the liter SS market. However, there are rumors that it will be "Euro 5+ compliant and re-appear." They have also announced that they will participate in this year's Suzuka 8 Hours as "Team Suzuki CN Challenge" with a GSX-R1000R that uses biofuels and other fuels. Isn't it possible to read deeper into this and see it as a scenario aimed at the revival of the GSX-R1000R?
Suzuki will compete in the 2024 Suzuka 8 Hours as "Team Suzuki CN Challenge" with a carbon-neutral specification based on the Yoshimura SERT MOTUL EWC specification GSX-R1000R.
The Yamaha YZF-R7 has started to be a one-make model, and the Suzuki GSX-8R is also competing in races. And the YZF-R9?
While 1000cc class super sports (SS) are being discontinued one after another, the lineup and sales of 600-800cc class upper-middle SS are on the rise. Races for these have also become more active.
A 4-cylinder liter SS produces more than 200 PS and costs more than 2.5 million yen. It is a high hurdle in terms of both cost and rider skill. On the other hand, the hurdle is much lower for a 2-cylinder upper-middle.
Starting in 2024, a one-make race for the Yamaha YZF-R7 will start as the FIM Women's World Championship. This will be held in conjunction with SBK, and only female riders aged 18 and over can participate. In the first year, 6 rounds and 12 races are scheduled to be held.
According to the information, "Yamaha wants to race with the YZF-R7 and YZF-R9." The YZF-R9 is a new SS that is rumored to be released and is expected to be equipped with an MT-09-series in-line 3-cylinder engine in a full-cowl body. Instead of the in-line 4-cylinder YZF-R1, Yamaha may be planning to push the R9 and R7 in races as well.
The US Championship, run by MotoAmerica, the successor to the AMA, is currently hosting a Twins Cup class for 2-cylinder models. The new Suzuki GSX-8R has entered the race, winning over the YZF-R7 and RS660 (Aprilia). There are also plans for a one-make race for the GSX-8R in the US.
The YZF-R7 is equipped with a 688cc parallel twin-cylinder engine based on the MT-07. It is equipped with front forks and separate handlebars inherited from the YZF-R1, but the electronics are minimal, so the price is kept to $6553.21. It has a maximum output of 73 PS and is easy to handle.
The GSX-8R uses a new 775cc parallel twin engine that produces 80 PS. It has a unique cross balancer to suppress vibration, and electronic controls such as mode change and traction control have also been introduced. Like the YZF-R7, it is a machine that can be used for everything from sports to touring. The price is $7106.72, which is good value for money.
[Summary] MotoGP and production motorcycle racing are entering a period of change
If MotoGP is also in a period of change, then production races such as SBK are also entering an era of change. With technological advances, we may be entering an era where even races in which top experts participate will see reduced performance.
And as symbolized by MotoGP, even in production bike-based races, there is a possibility that the upper-middle class will become more popular in the future, replacing the 1000cc class. This, along with the adoption of biofuels, may also be a way to ensure that internal combustion engine races will continue to exist in the future.
Either way, it will be exciting to see what happens in 2027 when the regulations are changed.
