Supermoto or Supermotard is motorcycle
racing on a circuit that alternates
between three types of track: flat track, motocross and road
racing, using motorcycles designed for that purpose.
between three types of track: flat track, motocross and road
racing, using motorcycles designed for that purpose.
Supermoto was originally conceived as something
like an all-star game, in which the best riders from the three separate
genres of motorcycle racing could temporarily leave their normal race class to
come together and compete for the title of best all around racer.
Today supermoto is a distinct genre of its
own and riders in
the
other classes do not routinely cross over into supermoto.
Races
are commonly held on road racing or medium sized go-kart tracks with
an off-road section in the infield. Most supermoto race tracks have
a tarmac size of 50-75% and the remaining percentage of the course is
off-road. The dirt sections are usually constructed of packed clay and feature
motocross style obstacles like bermed corners and jumps. This type of racing is
also very portable in that an entire track can be constructed anywhere there is
a large area of open asphalt and an availability of dirt. Supermoto races have
also been successfully held in busy urban centers using closed city streets for
the road course and a vacant lot for the dirt sections.
The motorcycles used are frequently custom-created
combinations of off-road motorcycles and road-racing
wheels/tires, known as 'supermotard' bikes. Riders also wear a
combination of road race and offroad equipment, normally road racing leathers and motocross
helmets and boots.
Unlike normal motorcycle racing, the emphasis lies on slower
speeds—typically
less than 100 mph (160 km/h)— on short, technical
tracks.
Here, where
flat-out acceleration and high top-speeds are less common, rider skill can more easily
overcome a disparity in machine
performance.
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