This one is fascinating to watch. Try this idea on for size.
A production motorcycle is one that is homologated for WSB, Superstock
1000 or WSS600. The limits are rising to 3000 per year. If it's not
homologated for this, it must be a prototype and therefore eligible for
use in a GP formula. In other words, what used to be called a
homologation special, a short run special version of a road bike, *may*
get round the FIM-FGS****t agreement.
Of course the problem is that no manufacturer has ever produced a short
run 600 special. But imagine that Honda produce a run of 100-500
CBR600-RRSP with sand cast cases, barrels and heads. They could
effectively create a one make replacement for 250GP. The bike would be
like a Ten Kate WSS600 bike with any level of tune desired by the rules
and at pretty much any price point from a Ten Kate WSS600 upwards. And
you could imagine them selling engines to somebody like Moriwaki but
being Honda they'd probably be leased and you wouldn't be able to get
one without the right connections. And all the indications are that
Honda want a one make Honda series.
And it's hard to imagine Suzuki or Kawasaki doing the same short run of
a competitive bike and a bit of a stretch to imagine Yamaha doing it.
Ducati know how to do this, with their long history of homologation
specials, but they don't have a 4 and aren't likely to any time soon.
Now Dorna want to try and keep the price down, because one of the big
stumbling blocks at the moment is Aprilia lease costs. So they're
talking about dumb 1999 ECUs and carburettors! Along with steel valve
springs, cam limits, crank/conrod/piston limits. The way they're talking
it sounds like they want something sub-WSS600. Carbs, ferchrissake!
Imagine a 120hp AMA FX [1] formula produced from bikes that never had a
headlight in the first place.
But now look at KTM. They've got experience of supplying a whole series
with bikes and they've got a 990-V4 back in the workshop. It would be a
big step but I think they know how to build a prototype 500-twin in
enough numbers and at a profit to produce a KTM one make series. And
they're just crazy enough to take on Honda politically. KTM are on a
roll at the moment and have big ambition. It's just about feasible that
Aprilia could join them and produce a short run 500-twin based on the
work they've done with their coming V4 or their SV450/550.
One further thought. If Aprilia is snubbed by all this, would Piaggio
throw their hands up and just leave 125? Or are 125GP Aprilias/Gileras
and Derbis just too im****tant as a marketing tool for their road bikes
and scooters? Because KTM could turn 125GP into a one make series as
well.
So as well as FGS****t-FIM vs Dorna-IRTA is this shaping up into a Honda
vs KTM-Aprilia battle? With the other Japanese factories and Ducati
standing on the sidelines because they can take it or leave it.
[1]Oh. Wait. You mean like Daytona SBK?
--
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