BRS / World Superbike tech pics

Fly-by-wire requires a lot of wires. And they all have to be connected correctly, or you don't...fly.

Dashing, isn't it?

Time to make the donuts. TermoRace tirewarmers get the Pirelli's cooking.

Unlike what's going on in the Gulf, this oil is properly contained.

Fins are back. A '59 Caddy has nothing on the Aprilia RSV4.

The BMW is awash in tasty carbon fiber.

Tight tolerances in WSBK mean that sometimes a caliper is going to pick up a scuff or two when the rear tire is changed.

Eddie Lawson's greatest fear: a brake caliper with no pads in it.

Single-sided for a single-minded purpose: to win.

Yes, sir, we have no bananas (in our tailpipe).

The Aprilia's clutch basket gets the once over by a team technician.

The Honda's carbon bits, and a description of what they're intended for.

Bristling with technology, these front forks and brakes are worth more than the GNP of some countries, especially in this economy.

Like in Avatar, Max Biaggi plugs himself directly into his Aprilia's soul. Fine, he doesn't.

Here's looking at you. Smokey.

Rebound and compression adjusters are marked and remembered.

Spring has sprung. The grass has ris'. Do you know where your Superbike is?

Quick-change sprocket assemblies used to be the exclusive domain of such places as Daytona, Suzuka, etc., where pitstops were part of the plan. Nowadays, quick changes can (and do) happen anywhere, especially during practice and qualifying.

Pretty much all the Superbikes on the grid have buttons galore on their left clip-ons to select fuel maps, traction-control settings, limit speed in the pits, etc...