With a some 'big name' riders like Biaggi and to an extent Barros leaving MotoGP for Superbikes, their fans will probably be likely check out more SBK races next year than perhaps they would have. I know I will, just out of curiosity to see how they do.

Then there's the fact that MotoGP goes down to 800cc in 2007. Whatever anybody says, the general public are always going to consider engine sizes as being a big factor. If the GP bikes are 800cc and the superbikes sit at 1000cc or thereabouts, what are they going to think? This isn't car racing - the fact that GP bikes are complete prototypes and superbikes are loosely derived from road bikes is not obvious.

As the 800cc engines will be at the start of their development, they obviously won't be as quick as they could be. The difference between GP and Superbike lap times is going to be far smaller.

I think this could all play into the hands of World Superbikes, what do you reckon?

Wouldn't normally bother replying to myself but sod it. :lol:

Looks like other people are thinking the same thing (http://www.motoreview.net/article.php?a=707):

As such, Klaffenbock believes that the added attendance of the seven times 500cc/MotoGP race winner will actually put WSBK 'ahead' of MotoGP next season.

"By the way: With the engagement of Alex we [the WSBK championship] are just ahead!" he continued. "MotoGP has lost a lot of its attractiveness. Compared to this, the Superbike World Championship becomes more and more interesting and our team is a part of it!

"Other climbers from MotoGP are Troy Bayliss, Roberto Rolfo, Fonsi Nieto, Norick Abe, Franco Battaini, Rubens Xaus and probably Max Biaggi."