Exposing my ignorance

[double_entendre]

(Also posted to UKRM)

I've rooted around a bit but not had much luck trying to figure out the roadracing scene as it stands now. When I quit paying serious attention back in the mid-80s, Freddie Spencer and Eddie Lawson were the gods and 500cc was the pinnacle of technology.

Now MotoGP is all four-strokes but I see references to MotoGP 250 as well, which I'm guessing must be two strokes.

Is there a good FAQ for MotoGP (and, as long as I'm exposing my ignorance, FIM World Superbike as well) somewhere that my Googling has missed?

Thanks muchly,

Bob

Rancho Cucamonga, CA

 

[slapnpop]

MotoGP is a series of classes. There's 125 and 250 2 stroke classes, and the World Championship class. The higher class allows 1000cc 4strokes, or 500cc 2 strokes. Since the 4strokes were allowed in ~4-5 years ago, they've pretty much dominated. I think there was only 1 team running a 2 stroke last year, not sure if any are this year.

Visit The MotoGP website for more details.

Not sure about FIM myself.

 

[Rogue]

With the 02' season the FIM changed the 500GP rules to allow 4-strokes up to 990cc (exact cc & weight depends on # of cylinders) because none of the mfrs make a street 2-stroke any more and the R&D was less applicable to what they sold. Because of the changes 500GP no longer fit so they changed the name to "MotoGP" and also call the whole GP program "MotoGP"

The 125 & 250 classes haven't changed but there have been rumours about changing them to 4-strokes.

Next season they are changing it again to a max of 880cc.

WSB is similar to AMA Superbike but with slightly different rules on modifications allowed and WSB runs spec tires.

YOU might want to check out the FIM's web site, it may have more explanations.