The bikes to be raced must remain very close to stock. In keeping with previous performance balancing concepts, such a decision is only likely to be taken if one bike is either obviously dominating or lagging severely behind. Performance balancing the concepts will initially be done via minimum weights and maximum revs, with adjustments made by agreement in the Superbike Commission, the governing body of the series. That presents the series with its first major challenge: balancing different motorcycle concepts against one another, while still ensuring that racing remains affordable.įor 2017, four machines have been homologated: the Yamaha YZF-R3, the KTM RC390, the Honda CBR500R (previously raced in the European Junior Cup) and the Kawasaki Ninja 300, one of the first bikes to be launched in the segment. More and more manufacturers have been entering the class, though each with slightly different machines and different engine capacities. Motorcycle manufacturers have seen sales of 600cc supersports bikes plummeting, while sales of lightweight machines have been booming. The concept for the class came about after consultation with manufacturers. A Supersport 300 series has been created to house the burgeoning market of lightweight sports machines, such as the Yamaha YZF-R3 and the KTM RC390.
The FIM and Dorna have agreed on a new entry class for the World Superbike championship.
