| The 998r and the 999r road bikes have the same engine, the 998r is actually 999cc (If you want to add to the confusion the 996r was 998cc!!)
Racebike wise they are pretty much the same comparing the last of the line 998F02? with the 999F04 engine wise, a bit of engine development but the basic engine is the same.
Homologation rules for superbikes are pretty free in some areas and a certain amount of mix and match is OK.
All that Chili and his have done I believe is built up as good a 998 as they can, using the best/latest engine they can.
It never looks good when a factory team gets beats by somone using an older bike, marketing hate it.
It does appear that riders are struggling to get to grips with the 999 to get the vital feel they require for their confidence critical to racing. Most have to stcik with it for various reason. PSG have been able to take drastic action and not use the bike.
Hodgson/Xaus muttered about the 999 last year and michelin helped out and or they coped with the problem.
It all adds to the unpredictability of WSB this year,
Chili is the underdog hero in WSB and long may it continue.
Ray.  | 
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