Has ZX Moto not read the regulations? V5 superbike planned for 2028

ZX Moto has immediately established itself as a force to be reckoned with in the Supersport World Championship. Valentin Debise has already won six races on the 820RR in its debut season and is currently second in the riders’ standings. Now the Chinese brand has set its sights on the Superbike World Championship.

During the race weekend in Cremona, ZX Moto founder Zhang Xue confirmed that a Superbike with a V5 engine is in the pipeline. The entry into the World Superbike Championship is expected to take place in 2028. As unusual as the concept sounds, the problem is obvious: the current regulations do not permit a five-cylinder engine.

Is ZX Moto deliberately or inadvertently ignoring the regulations?

The powertrain raises further questions. According to media reports, the V5 engine is to be fitted with a supercharger. No confirmed technical specifications for the production model are available as yet. Should the supercharging prove to be true, it would constitute a further obstacle to homologation under the current Superbike rules.

Zhang Xue (ZX Moto) stattete der Superbike-WM in Cremona einen Besuch ab

Foto: S. Fränzschky

Admittedly, the Superbike Commission has already announced changes to the technical regulations. From 2030, four-cylinder engines with a displacement of up to 1,200 cc are to be permitted. However, there is no mention in this roadmap of approval for five-cylinder or supercharged engines. Furthermore, the increase in displacement would come too late for ZX Moto’s planned entry in 2028.

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Will the regulations be adapted for ZX Moto?

Did ZX Moto disregard the Superbike World Championship rules during development? Or does Zhang Xue expect the organisers to open up the regulations to another manufacturer? Both are currently mere speculation. It is equally unclear whether the planned V5 motorbike is in fact the model intended to compete in the World Championship at a later date.

One thing is certain: the successes in the Supersport World Championship lend credibility to the Superbike plans. However, under the current regulations, ZX Moto would not be able to compete with the announced V5 concept. Before making its World Championship debut, the manufacturer must clarify which motorbike can be homologated – or whether the rules might change after all.

Die ZX Moto 820RR ist in der Supersport-WM sehr konkurrenzfähig

Foto: Gold & Goose