Wikipedia introduces MotoGP as the “highest class of motorcycle road racing events held on road circuits”. Meanwhile, according to the free encyclopedia, the World SuperBike Championship is the ” silhouette road racing series using highly modified production sports bikes”. Both are world-class motorcycle championships. Each has millions of followers. The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) sanctions or governs both competitions. Meanwhile, Dorna determines different sets of technical regulations. However, still, there are many key differences. Here DeshiBiker will reveal the difference between the MotoGP and World SuperBikes Championship.
What is the Difference between WorldSBK and MotoGP?
| Criteria | MotoGP | World SuperBike |
| Bikes | Purpose-built race machines or Prototypes. Not available to the public. | Production bikes which are are basically race-tuned versions of motorbikes. Available to the public for purchase. |
| Team Budget | Much higher team budgets than the WSBK. Teams have the freedom of how much they want to spend. | Team expenditure behind bikes, riders, and R&D is all limited. |
| Teams | Apart from 3 common manufacturers Aprilia and KTM are uncommon. | BMW and Kawasaki are present apart from 3 common constructors. |
| Riders | Generally, the best bikers in the field are present here. Ex: Marc Márquez, Jorge Lorenzo, Valentino Rossi. | The ones who can’t do much good in MotoGP may shift to the WSBK. Ex: Carl Fogarty, Leon Camier, Jonathan Rea. |
| Circuits | In some places, the same circuit is used but there might be some differences. For example, Silverstone hosts MotoGP in the UK; Circuit of the Americas, Texas hosts in the USA. | Donnington hosts the WSBK in the UK; WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, California hosts WSBK in the United States. The same circuit hosts the MotoGP & WSBK in some countries. |
| ECU & Bike Software | Bikes are fitted with standardized ECUs (Engine Control Unit) as well as software packages. | ECU and software choice are open options for the teams. So the choice may vary. |
| Racing Season | Generally longer racing season with more number of races. (19-22 races from March to November). | Almost similar expansion in terms of times but less number of race events. (12-13 events from February to October). |
| The Racing Intensity | Overall more intense racing. | If you compare, it will fall behind to MotoGP. |
| Fans | Attracts more TV audience and is more popular. | Comparatively less followed and less popular. |
MotoGP Bike vs World SuperBike
Now let’s find out the detailed differences between the MotoGP Championship Bikes and the World SuperBike Championship Bikes.
| MotoGP Bikes | World SuperBike Championship Bikes |
| These bikes are Prototypes which are indeed highly specialized race machines. They are full of experimental parts. | WSBK bikes are Production-based machines. |
| Uses the most advanced technology where there is no limit. | The technology used is comparatively less modern. |
| Features aerodynamic wings, ride-height adjustment devices, etc. Comes with carbon-fiber brakes. | Appears with some specialized added parts but with the removal of lights and street-legal equipment. |
| Completely unavailable to the general people. | Available to the general mass for purchase. |
| Produced in limited number and for race purposes. | Generally generates a minimum number (usually 200) of the same model. |
| Has more specialized tires. All tires are provided by Michelin. | Tires are not always road-legal. |
| More powerful engines that are around 300 horsepower. | Comparatively less powerful engines are around 220 horsepower. |
| Top speed is close to 228 mph or 368 kmph. Comparatively more. | The top speed is around but no more than 200 mph or 320 kmph. Comparatively less speed. |
Which is Faster, MotoGP or World Superbikes?
MotoGP bikes are faster. Their lap times are also faster as well. If you wanna compare, then we can tell, that MotoGP bikes are indeed around a second to a second-and-a-half faster than the WSBK bikes. When the highest speed of a MotoGP bike is around 228 mph, the WSBK bikes top speed will be no more than 200 mph.
Is MotoGP Better than World Superbikes?
MotoGP provides the more intense racing comparatively. The team budgets are higher in MotoGP. More successful Racers do take part in the MotoGP. Bikes are also quicker in it than their counterparts. Circuits are also comparatively better. Moreover, MotoGP attracts a bigger audience. The TV rating is also high for the alluded competition. Bikes and technology used are more advanced. Overall, more followers follow MotoGP and more number of fans enjoy it. So, in terms of, Bikes, teams, racers, audiences, tracks, TV ratings, technology, and all other attributes, the MotoGP is well ahead of the World SuperBike Championship. So, Yes, MotoGP is better than the WSBK.
