With the new Elite system of 16 teams and 32 riders, signings for the 2012 British Superbike season haven't been hurried. WFR Honda lobbed in an early spanner with three riders, so series boss Stuart Higgs has that odd number to make up somewhere.

There is plenty of movement behind the scenes but much remains under wraps due to threats of violence. Here is what we know, and what we think we know that isn't going to get us frozen in carbonite, so far:

Signed up

Swan Yamaha

Although nothing is yet confirmed, bikesportnews.com has it on good authority that the Guisborough-based team will be back with R1s in 2012 and have two riders, deals for whom have either been done or are close to it. There will be no prizes for guessing one of them...

Honda Racing UK

Poached Michael Laverty from Shaun Muir and followed it up with Jon Kirkham's signature. No title sponsor announced as yet but team boss Havier Beltran says a deal is close to being wrapped up. It is not sure yet how much involvement long-time sponsor HM Plant will have. Exile Ryuichi Kiyonari has signed to race for Honda Asia.

Tyco Suzuki

New sponsor and one new rider on the Superbike in the shape of Alastair Seeley, who is trying for the hat-trick of BSB, BSB and National Superstock 1000 titles. Second rider is Josh Brookes, a favourite for the championship provided he can retain his late-season form.

PBM Kawasaki

BSB's prodigal son Paul Bird signs Shane Byrne again for a serious tilt at the title while also putting James Ellison on a MotoGP CRT bike. Stuart Easton, a long-time employee and friend of Bird, will be in his comeback year after the Northwest 200 crash which very nearly killed him.

WFR Honda

So far, the only three-rider team which will have made series director Stuart Higgs get his geometry set out. Graeme Gowland, Alex Lowes and James Westmoreland team up in what is a formidable, and youthful, line-up in a team without title sponsorship.

PR Kawasaki

Another team without title sponsors (yet) puts former team-mates Gary Mason and Simon Andrews back together. The latter rode with the squad until his massive Snetterton get-off while Mason had to make a move as MSS boss Nick Morgan hasn't yet done a manufacturer deal (see below). A pair of dark horses who are a bit too close for everyone's comfort.

GBmoto

Moving up from National Superstock 1000, GBmoto have already announced Tristan Palmer as their first rider but the second seat and on what their riders will be sitting is yet to be determined. Rumours of Yamaha power seem to be fading into the distance.

Buildbase BMW (Hawk Racing)

Stuart Hicken's Mallory-based team are always there or thereabouts but had an up-and-down first year with the BMW S1000RR. It it likely they will return with Superstock 1000 Champion Richard Cooper on one bike and may promote Barry Burrell to the second one.

Spitlath Redmond

Ran Karl Harris with some success in 2011 and have options to swap away from Aprilia to Honda or Kawasaki power. Will more than likely look to keep Harris as, when he stayed on it and the bike didn't break, the multiple British Supersport Champion was an Evo force to be reckoned with.

Pr1mo Bournemouth Kawasaki

The first team to be created by a two-squad amalgamation. BSB bridesmaid Chris Walker partners youngster James Hillier but with two teams come two team bosses so it will be interesting to see how the decisions pan out for each rider. Hillier will benefit from Walker's experience.

Missing, presumed alive

Quay Garage Racing

Having lost their title sponsor to TAS Racing, Ian Woollacot's team are on the hunt for riders and cash. It just so happens that Michael Rutter has some money in the shape of Bathams and needs something to ride. It is rumoured Rutter had a deal with Padgett's but it fell through.

Jentin Racing

Nothing much has been heard from Bernie Toleman's team since the end of the season. Steve Brogan's 2011 team will be one of those that may have to join forces with another in order to make the Elite 16.

Moto Rapido Ducati

Steve Moore's team is slated to return with Scott Smart in the number one seat and may well be the only squad in the world to race an 1199 Panigale in a Superbike series. A second rider is still under consideration as is whether any more of Smart's 'during the war' stories will be tolerated in the garage. Or anywhere else, for that matter.

MSS Colchester Racing

Nick Morgan had a not-inconsequential spanner thrown in his works when Bird decided to run Kawasakis in BSB. Speaking to us at Motorcycle Live, Morgan said he is in talks with 'various people' about what he will run but wants to start the year in good financial shape.

Quattro Plant/Spike Racing

Long association with Irishman Steve Heneghan who eventually went down to Superstock 1000 at the end of the season but will more than likely try and be back in the big class for 2012. Also ran Aaron Zanotti in 2011. Another squad that will need to amalgamate with a second team.

Tunstall Racing

Tunstall made the switch from Honda to BMW power in 2011 and it was going well until Snetterton where an awkward crash saw him break an unpronounceable bone in his arse. Ran a couple of stand-ins for the rest of the season but is is not known if he will get back in saddle or head for management.

Gone, but not forgotten

SMT Honda

Likeable northerner Robin Croft has said on more than one occasion he hasn't the budget to race in BSB next year. It is thought the SMT Honda will make a couple of appearances on the roads next year just so Croft can keep his (red wine) hand in.

Riders Ducati

Martin Jessopp has made the switch to World Supersport so his dad's team has been put on ice for 2012. The decision promotes Moto Rapido Ducati to the UK's number one Ducati team and they may become Ducati UK's official entry because of it.

Rob Mac Racing

The burly Humbersider is taking a sabbatical in 2012 but says he has retained the support of title sponsor Motorpoint. The last few years have been lean for McElnea with not much in the way of results. Whether he will actually be back is the subject of much debate.

New entry

Padgetts Honda

Now that British Superbikes has apparently become less expensive, Padgett's Honda are making the step up from Supersport to play with the big boys. Every rider-without-portfolio has been linked with them but it could be a wee man from Ireland who emerges as the front runner.

Riders for rent (based on last season's entry lists)

Glen Richards

Dan Linfoot

Steve Brogan

Ian Lowry

Michael Rutter

Tommy Bridewell

Peter Hickman

Karl Harris

Patric Muff

Hudson Kennaugh

Barry Burrell

Aaron Zanotti

Steve Heneghan

Jenny Tinmouth