About Supermoto

Supermoto is one of the most exciting forms of motorcycle racing. The sport combines elements of motorcycle road racing with motocross racing on the dirt. Tracks are generally 70% pavement and 30% dirt. Supermoto evolved as a racing format designed to get racers from different motorcycle disciplines to compete against each other for the rights to be known as the best motorcycle racer. The motorcycles started life as customized dirt bikes with street slicks and modified suspension. Today most motorcycle manufacturers produce a street-legal supermoto style bike.

Supermoto racing typically is done at speeds under 100 mph, on tight, twisty tracks which provide for close racing. Supermoto events can be held in downtown areas, at road racing facilities or at kart tracks. The layout of supermoto tracks allows for fans to get up close to the action and excitement. While the speeds are slower than road racing, the technique the riders use is what draws the crowd in, with riders sliding their bikes sideways into turns on the pavement at impressive speeds and then jumping the same bikes in the dirt sections.

Supermoto emerged in the United States in the 70’s and was a highly successful televised series on ABC’s Wide World of Sports known as Superbiker’s. The success continued until the mid-80’s when the programming was canceled due to management turnover at ABC. The sport went into hibernation in the U.S. but continued on in Europe. In early 2000 the AMA began sanctioning races again and some of the big stars in motorcycle road racing and motocross started competing in supermoto again. Once again ABC helped shine light on the sport through their ESPN/X-Games group. Supermoto racing delivered strong viewership on TV with the event becoming one of the most watched Summer X-Games events. Unfortunately, in 2010 the Summer X-Games dropped the sport from coverage despite strong viewership.

One of the biggest supermoto events currently is held every year in Mettet, Belgium. It is called the Proximus Superbikers event and over 40,000 fans show up to the three-day event to enjoy the racing. The best motorcycle racers from around the world arrive at Mettet to compete for the title of top Superbiker.

Supermoto-style bikes have the potential to emerge as the new bike of preference for motorcyclists looking for a change from cruisers, choppers and straight street bikes. The design of the bike and the ease of riding make the bike a likely choice for any person looking for an absolutely fun and relatively safe motorcycle to ride around town or to take on longer rides. People who either ride a supermoto motorcycle, or attend an event are hooked on the sport and the design of the bike. The response you hear most often from people when asked about supermoto is “I love supermoto.”