Ever since I was a kid, I really loved watching motorcross, including all those other motorcycle sports that involved road racing and intense action. Because of this, I was encouraged to adapt the skill myself. I learned how to drive a motorcycle using our very own Yamaha DT125 and our off-road all terrain ATV 200cc Susuki Mudmaster. However, I did notice that as the years went by, the world of motorcycle sports has become increasingly adventurous in their practice. To stand proof to this, an evolution in motorcycle racing has created a unique game inspired by the fusion of off-road bikes and road racing superbikes. This came to be known Supermoto.

Supermoto is the new face of motocross and road racing. Supermoto races are frequently held on road tracks with an off-road section in the infield. Most supermoto speedways are typically configured with approximately 70% tarmac or modern ashpalt and 30% dirt with small jumps. But a dirt section is not required. Supermoto demands riders to drive across short and twisty tracks and in this game, the rider’s skills matter far more than the absolute power and performance of their machine. The motorcycles used are commonly custom-created combinations of off-road motorcycles, with road-racing rims and tires also known as supermotards or motard bikes. Riders also wear basic motorcross equipment like helmets, boots and leathers.

Machines that are used in supermoto bikes, including the precursor motorcycles used in Superbikers, were converted into two-stroke motocross or enduro bikes, which provide for their light weight and jumping abilities. The motorcycles currently used for Supermoto racing are largely single-cylinder four-stroke powered dirt bikes with 17 inch wheels. The 17-inch wheels allow the use of up to 5.5 inch wide super bike road racing slick tires. In spite of the lack of trees on supermoto courses, hand guards are normally added to supermoto bikes due to the intense cornering angles that are achieved by riders. Hand guards also greatly perk up survivability of the brake & clutch levers during a fall. Supermoto bikes are highly crash resistant and often able to quickly re-enter the fray during a race following a mishap. This is because these motards are usually lighter than the original off-road bikes.