The new AMA Superbike rules have created new options not only to the factories, but also to the privateer. Any privateer competing in the superbike class faces a potentially tough, and limiting, decision. Many privateers race in 750 superstock, then they throw on slicks and run the same bike in superbike. Running an overbore 750 would make it illegal for superstock. So does a privateer now campaign two bikes, one for superstock and one for superbike? Or does the rider maintain course with just one bike and finish further down the grid?
The other option for privateers is to keep the 750 strictly for superstock and run a 1000 in superbike, but the extra budget needed to do this may make it impossible for the privateer on an already stretched-to-the-limit budget.
The new Kawasaki 636 stands ready to give privateer 750 pilots some pretty big headaches, as well. Tommy Hayden finished at or near the front in the 750 superstock races he entered last year on a 598cc machine. With the new 636 being introduced this year, Suzuki’s monopoly on the 750 superstock class may come to an end at the hands of a capable 636 pilot.
