Where are our superbikes?

Why can't we have some superbikes, and where are the new models?

January 28, 2002

I've been waiting for my new ZX-7RR for a long time.
Why did Honda price the RC-51 so low, thereby making it imposible to acquire?
Why can't I go down to my local dealer and kick the tires on a Benelli?
I thought MV Agusta released a bike so they could go racing again!
Why did Honda never make an affordable race replica of their V-4 racer?
What happened to those cool limited edition GSX-Rs?
Why did Yamaha decide to give us a YZF750 at a reasonable price, but none of the others at a reasonable price?

I'm not quite sure I understand the marketing behind the superbike series
anymore. The only bikes that have direct ties to the marketplace these days
are the Ducatis, Suzukis, and in WSB, Aprilia. Benelli, Kawasaki, Yamaha and
Honda, arguably, do not race to sell the models they actually race. But wait
a minute, isn't that what the series is supposed to be about?

The new rules changes seem geared toward putting bikes on the track that
actually sell in the showroom (1000cc fours), but what about the twins?
I like them both! And I want more triples! It seems to make more sense to
add a bit of weight to the twins and not upset the current balance of the
class at this point, but I'm not a marketing guy so what do I know? I just
want the epic days of twins vs. fours (Ru$$ell vs. Foggy for instance) again
with maybe a triple or two thrown in to mix it up. Is that too much to ask?

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