I'm in the Eastern Midlands of the UK until tomorrow, and got to watch the superbikes qualify for this weekends event. One word-SICK!
But it raised some questions. look at the pic, and you will see how close you can get to looking at one up close. Trailer closed. garage closed. Access only through a doorway and you have to be a team member.
From what I was told, they are all one liter motors. GSXR, Kawasaki ZX-10, Yamaha. Don't know about the other manufacturers for sure. I was also told they are all in the same HP range- about 220.
What I do know is the sound- nothing like I have ever heard before. Like they were nitro burning drag bikes, with almost the same acceleration(so it seemed on the straightaways)! Is it the ECU's, the way the engines are built(compared what we know as stock)? or both?. I just now know what a stock motor doesn't sound like. Most of them were backfiring on the upshifts! Boom! Boom! Boom! Incredible, and they all had mufflers.
I don't know if the Superbikes in the US are the same, but anyone in FB or DSR should not miss the oppurtunity to see these things if they are racing near you.