Superbike racing is a category of

motorcycle racing The motorcycle sport of racing (also called moto racing and motorbike racing) includes motorcycle road racing and off-road racing, both either on circuits or open courses, and track racing. Other categories include hill climbs, drag racing and ...

that employs highly modified production motorcycles, as opposed to

MotoGP Grand Prix motorcycle racing is the highest class of motorcycle road racing events held on Road racing, road circuits sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). Independent motorcycle racing events have been held sin ...

in which purpose-built motorcycles are used. The

Superbike World Championship Superbike World Championship (also known as WorldSBK, SBK, World Superbike, WSB, or WSBK) is a silhouette road racing series based on heavily modified production sports motorcycles. The championship was founded in . The Superbike World Champion ...

is the official world championship series, though national Superbike championships are held in many countries, including the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

, the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

Japan Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...

and

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, making it the world's List of coun ...

. Superbike racing is generally popular with manufacturers, since it helps promote and sell their product, as captured by the slogan "Win on Sunday; Sell on Monday".

Characteristics of Superbike racing motorcycles

Superbike racing motorcycles are derived from standard production models, so for a bike to be eligible, the manufacturer must first

homologate Homologation (Greek ''homologeo'', ὁμολογέω, "to agree") is the granting of approval by an official authority. This may be a court of law, a government department, or an academic or professional body, any of which would normally work fro ...

the model and manufacture the required number of roadgoing machines. While rules vary from series to series, in general the motorcycles must maintain the same profile as their roadgoing counterparts, with the same overall appearance as seen from the front, rear and sides. In addition, the frame cannot be modified. Teams may modify some elements of the bike, including the suspensions, brakes, swingarm, and the diameter and size of the wheels. Superbike racing motorcycles must have

four-stroke engine A four-stroke (also four-cycle) engine is an internal combustion (IC) engine in which the piston completes four separate strokes while turning the crankshaft. A stroke refers to the full travel of the piston along the cylinder, in either directi ...

s of between 850 cc and 1200 cc for

twins Twins are two offspring produced by the same pregnancy.MedicineNet > Definition of Twin Last Editorial Review: 19 June 2000 Twins can be either ''monozygotic'' ('identical'), meaning that they develop from one zygote, which splits and forms two e ...

, and between 750 cc and 1000 cc for

four cylinder The engine configuration describes the fundamental operating principles by which internal combustion engines are categorized. Piston engines are often categorized by their cylinder layout, valves and camshafts. Wankel engines are often categoriz ...

machines. The restriction to production models distinguishes Superbike racing from

racing, which uses prototype machines that bear little resemblance to production machines. This is somewhat similar to the distinction in car racing between

sports cars A sports car is a type of automobile that is designed with an emphasis on dynamic performance, such as handling, acceleration, top speed, the thrill of driving, and racing capability. Sports cars originated in Europe in the early 1910s and ar ...

and

Formula One Formula One (F1) is the highest class of worldwide racing for open-wheel single-seater formula Auto racing, racing cars sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The FIA Formula One World Championship has been one ...

cars, though the performance gap between Superbike and MotoGP racing is much smaller. The world's first 'Superbike' was built by brothers Ross and Ralph Hannan in the mid/late 1970s. First ridden successfully in Australia and overseas, including the Suzuka 8 hour and the Bol d'Or 24-hour endurance races, by

Graeme Crosby Graeme Crosby (born 4 July 1955) is a former professional Grand Prix motorcycle road racer from New Zealand. A versatile rider, Crosby was equally capable on either four stroke Superbike racers or two stroke Grand Prix racers. He is the only ...

who went on to international success and was eventually inducted into the NZ sports "Hall of Fame".

Superbike World Championship

Superbike World Championship (also known as SBK) is the premier international superbike Championship. The championship was founded in 1988. It is regulated by the

FIM FIM may refer to: Organizations and companies * Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme, the International Motorcycling Federation * Flint Institute of Music, in Michigan, United States * Fox Interactive Media, now News Corp. Digital Media * ...

and managed and promoted by FGSport. Once regarded as the poor cousin to the more glamorous

championship, the Superbike World Championship has grown into a world-class professional racing series. Many of the riders that competed in SBK over the years are household names among motorcycle racing fans. The most successful rider thus far has been Northern Irelands

Jonathan Rea Jonathan Rea (born 2 February 1987) is a People of Northern Ireland, Northern Irish professional Motorcycle sport, motorcycle racer. He competes in the Superbike World Championship and is a six-time champion in the series. He is the first to ha ...

, who won the championship six times (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020).

Ducati Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A () is an Italian motorcycle manufacturing company headquartered in Bologna, Italy. History Barely a month after the official liberation of Italy in 1944, SIATA announced its intention to sell this engine, called ...

has been the most successful manufacturer in the series over the years, accumulating 15 manufacturer championships.

Honda commonly known as just Honda, is a Japanese multinational corporation, multinational Conglomerate (company), conglomerate automotive manufacturer headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Founded in October 1946 by Soichiro Honda, Honda has bee ...

has won it 6 times, with

Suzuki is a Japanese multinational mobility manufacturer headquartered in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Shizuoka. It manufactures automobiles, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), outboard motor, outboard marine engines, wheelchairs and a va ...

claiming one championship. Australia's

Troy Bayliss Troy Andrew Bayliss (born 30 March 1969 in Taree, New South Wales, Australia) is an Australian motorcycle racer. During his career Bayliss won the Superbike World Championship three times and a MotoGP race, all with Ducati. He finished his care ...

won the 2006 and 2008 titles riding for Xerox Ducati and

James Toseland James Michael Toseland (born 5 October 1980) is an English former motorcycle racer, commentator and vocalist of his own rock band named Toseland. For 2020, he was team-manager of Wepol Racing with riders in World Supersport and Supersport 300,< ...

, from the UK, was the winner of the 2007 championship riding for Hannspree Ten Kate Honda.

National Superbike series

National Superbike series vary greatly in challenge and popularity, the most popular being in Britain and North America. Both Japan and Australia have well supported national superbikes series, though they only run for short, 10-race seasons.

British Superbike Championship

The British Superbike championship (known to most as "BSB") is the leading

championship in the United Kingdom. It is managed and organised by MCRCB-Events. The commercial and television rights have been delegated to MotorSport Vision.

, Kawasaki,

and

Yamaha Yamaha may refer to: People * Torakusu Yamaha, a Japanese businessman and founder of the Yamaha Corporation Companies * Yamaha Corporation, a Japanese musical instrument and audio equipment manufacturer ** Yamaha Music Foundation, an organi ...

all have well supported teams, while

has the only HRC supported superbike team outside Japan. Japanese rider

Ryuichi Kiyonari (born September 23, 1982 in Saitama, Japan) is a professional motorcycle road racer. He previously rode a Honda CBR1000RR in the MFJ All-Japan Road Race JSB1000 Championship. He was the 2006, 2007 and 2010 British Superbike champion and en ...

won the 2006, 2007 and 2010 titles riding for HM Plant Honda.

MotoAmerica Superbike Championship (previously AMA Superbike Championship)

Beginning in 2015 the US National Superbike championship moved to a new organization, MotoAmerica, after several years of decline. The new championship is known as the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship, and incorporates classes similar to those operating at world championship level, and other national series, i.e. Superbike, Supersport, Superstock 1000, Superstock and KTM Junior cup. . The aim of the new championship is to reinvigorate motorcycle road racing in North America and ultimately send its riders to the top-level international championships -

and

World Superbike Superbike World Championship (also known as WorldSBK, SBK, World Superbike, WSB, or WSBK) is a Silhouette racing car, silhouette road racing series based on heavily modified production sports motorcycles. The championship was founded in . The Su ...

. The AMA Superbike was the premier superbike racing series in the

. It was part of the AMA Pro Racing series, and was managed by the AMA until 2009 when the AMA sold the series to the Daytona MotorSports Group. The series was replaced in 2015 by the MotoAmerica Superbike championship.

All Japan Superbike Championship

The All Japan Road Race Championship, also known as MFJ Superbike is the premiere motorcycle road racing championship in

and is run by MFJ. The championship started in 1967 and has been running a superbike class since 1994. The series runs a small 7 round schedule but has a large field of Japanese riders and bikes. Atsushi Watanabe won the 2007 championship riding a Yoshimura

Australian Superbike Championship

The Australian Superbike Championship, the premier national Superbike series, is run by

Motorcycling Australia Motorcycling Australia is the governing body for motorcycle racing in Australia, covering road racing, motocross, Motorcycle trials, trials, supercross, Race track#Surfaces, dirt track, supermoto and Motorcycle speedway, speedway. Motorcycling ...

. The series runs from February to December and consists of seven rounds per season. Many notable riders have been successful on the world stage, such as

Troy Corser Troy Gordon Corser (born 27 November 1971) is an Australian former professional motorcycle road racing, road racer. He competed in the Superbike World Championship from 1992 to 2011 except for the 1997 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season, 1997 s ...

Steve Martin Stephen Glenn Martin (born August 14, 1945) is an American comedian, actor, writer, producer, and musician. Known for Steve Martin filmography, his work in comedy films, television, and #Discography, recording, he has received List of awards a ...

Rob Phillis Rob Phillis (born 27 April 1956) is a retired motorcycle road racer from Australia. He began his motorcycling career competing in dirt bike and motocross events before crossing over to road racing in 1974. He won the Australian Superbike and Au ...

, Peter Goddard,

Josh Brookes Joshua Brookes (born 28 April 1983 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia) is a professional road racer of motorcycles with experience of Superbike and Supersport racing, both domestically and internationally. For 2023, Brookes joined FHO Rac ...

Anthony Gobert Anthony Stephen Gobert (5 March 1975 – 17 January 2024) was an Australian professional motorcycle road racer, nicknamed The Go Show. He was a rider of immense promise and talent who had his career derailed by a personal struggle with alcohol ...

Matthew Mladin Mathew Josef Mladin (born 10 March 1972, in Camden, New South Wales) is a retired Australian professional motorcycle racer who last raced in 2009, riding a Yoshimura Suzuki in the AMA Superbike series. He won the title seven times (no other r ...

Aaron Slight Aaron Tony Slight (born 19 January 1966) is a New Zealand former professional motorcycle road racing, road racer. He competed in the Superbike World Championships from to , finishing second in the championship twice and third four times. He l ...

, Bryan Staring, Josh Waters, and Mike Jones.

Nigeria Superbike Road Race

The Nigeria Superbike Road Race, The Bikers Trophy (The BT) is held annually on the last weekend in November, in Edo State, Nigeria. It is the premier motorcycling sports event in Nigeria and West Africa with participants and spectators from all over the World. Modelled after the Isle of Man TT races, The Bikers Trophy (The BT) races take place in a time trial format over a 32 km street circuits which traverse the 8 communities of Urhonigbe, Urohmehe, Umughun, Ogba, Evbonogbon, Ugo, Ekpokor, and Ugbokirima in Orhiomwon Local Government Area of Edo State. The 2014 event saw podium places go to Jack Affara (Champion), Armstrong Ngugu (2nd Position) and Ikhide Izokpu (3rd Position). Other countries with road races are the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Great Britain, the Czech Republic, Turkey, Ukraine, New Zealand and Macau. NSBRR-contestants

Other Series

Moto 1000 GP The Brazilian Moto 1000 GP Championship was the main motorcycle category in Brazil between 2011 and 2015. Competing with SuperBike Brasil, the competition was created in 2011 and has been led since its founding by motorcyclist Alex Barros. In ...

(Brazilian national championship) * Irish Road Racing Championship (Irish national championship on closed roads) * Canadian Superbike Championship (Canadian national championship) * Championnat de France Superbike (French national championship) *

China Superbike Championship China Superbike Championship (CSBK) is a motorcycle racing championship organized in China by China Motorcycle Sports Association and promoted by Zhuhai International Circuit. It was first established in 2007. The 150cc Open Class allowed f ...

(Chinese national championship) * Campeonato Español de Velocidad (Spanish national championship) * CIV Superbike (Italian national championship) * IDM Superbike (German national championship) * CitiBike Motorcycle Championship (South Africa) * New Zealand Road Race Championship * Dutch Superbike Kampioenschap * Philippines Superbike Championship * International Road Racing Championship (IRRC)

Defunct series

* 750cc Superbike European Championship * Austrian Superbike Championship * Swiss Superbike Championship

References

External links

List of Superbike champions, including for national series
{{Authority control Motorsport categories in Australia