I have the '97 version which a friend gave me for X-mas. (he's not cheap, he gave me something else too!) My computer is pretty slow- only 32 megs of RAM, and a cheap-o microprocessor, so I don't know how well the 2001 version will work.
I love this game, though! It's as close to racing as you can get, and is very tough to learn. But it really is an excacting simulation, and is great fun.
I race in Northern California, and I wish there was a program with Sears Point, Thunderhill, and Buttonwillow, but that will never happen. But if I ever have a bike quiet enough to ride a Laguna, I will spend a lot of time learning the Laguna simulation. It's really that good.
I'd love to see a "bike simulator" program based on SBK 2001- you can ride any bike built, from 1901- 2001, or design your own. How would a EX250 with a KX500 motor do at Road Atlanta? How much faster would my laptimes at Sears be if I ran BT-58's? I want a 200 pound, 75 horsepower thumper at Daytona! (in a simulation, of course)
You could update the program every season with new track info- how much more compression damping will I need now that turn 7 has been repaved? I see now limit to the possibilities.
It wouldn't substitute for actually riding, but you could get an idea for what would or wouldn't work at certain tracks. It would really help with gearing, I think.
So how about it? It seems like it would be cheaper to produce than "Flight Simulator", and appeal to a larger audience, especially if it was an add-on to some kind of frigging NASCAR crap.