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-FGSport 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 important 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 FGSport-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?
