Supermoto is a form of motorcycle racing that combines different aspects of all types of motorcycle racing. You get the speed and cornering of road racing, the dirt and jumps of motocross and the sliding of flat track. Supermoto bikes are typically a motocross / offroad bikes with road race wheels, tires and oversized brakes. It is easier than one would think to set up a bike for Supermoto riding and racing. This pages is dedicated to just that: How to get into Supermoto and set your bike up properly.
Article on getting into Supermoto: Want to try Supermoto? It's cheaper and easier than you'd think!
Technical Inspection: To ride on a track, every bike must pass a tech inspection. Click here to learn what is involved in passing tech.
Safety Equipment. Click here to learn what safety equipment is necessary.
Bare Bones Supermoto. Aside from the modifications required to pass tech the only other thing you have to do to your motocross bike is to change the tires. The stock knobby tires are not safe on the paved sections of the tracks. Switching to a dual sport or better yet, dirt track tires will give you the control necessary to get a feel for the road racing aspect of Supermoto.
Sportsman Setup. The Sportsman Setup is another entry level supermoto setup. It takes the bare bones setup further by upgrading the front brake to an oversized rotor (320mm diameter) while keeping the stock caliper. A strong front brake is a key component to Supermoto due to the high speed paved sections and hard braking. An oversized front brake rotor will greatly improve the front brake power as well as helping to keep from boling of the brake fluid as easy. To upgrade to an oversized rotor you will need a caliper relocation bracket to space out the caliper to match the larger front rotor.
How to: Mounting an oversized front rotor and relocation bracket
Converting Your MX Bike into a Sportsman Supermoto from Jerrett Bellamy on Vimeo.
Racer Setup. When you get more serious about racing you will want to upgrade to the 17" road race style wheels. This will allow you to use Supermoto specific tires and greatly improve the handling characteristics of your motocross bike for Supermoto. The next upgrade would be to further improve the front brake. This is accomplished by changing the caliper and master cylinder. 4 and 6 piston calipers are commonly used. Larger calipers require larger master cylinders. The master cylinders have various bore sizes and the size of your caliper determines the size of your master cylinder.
Slipper Clutch. A Slipper clutch is used to keep the back wheel from locking up when you are down shifting under hard braking. A slipper allows you to do your required downshifts entering a corner then just dump the clutch and continue your braking. This allows you make use of the engine braking. This also helps riders to perform the spectacular "backing it in" drifts that supermoto is known for.
There are many other smaller/ more specific modifications that can be made to make your motocross/ offroad bike to make it more suitable for Supermoto but the main ones were highlited above.
Article on getting into Supermoto: Want to try Supermoto? It's cheaper and easier than you'd think!
Technical Inspection: To ride on a track, every bike must pass a tech inspection. Click here to learn what is involved in passing tech.
Safety Equipment. Click here to learn what safety equipment is necessary.
Bare Bones Supermoto. Aside from the modifications required to pass tech the only other thing you have to do to your motocross bike is to change the tires. The stock knobby tires are not safe on the paved sections of the tracks. Switching to a dual sport or better yet, dirt track tires will give you the control necessary to get a feel for the road racing aspect of Supermoto.
Sportsman Setup. The Sportsman Setup is another entry level supermoto setup. It takes the bare bones setup further by upgrading the front brake to an oversized rotor (320mm diameter) while keeping the stock caliper. A strong front brake is a key component to Supermoto due to the high speed paved sections and hard braking. An oversized front brake rotor will greatly improve the front brake power as well as helping to keep from boling of the brake fluid as easy. To upgrade to an oversized rotor you will need a caliper relocation bracket to space out the caliper to match the larger front rotor.
How to: Mounting an oversized front rotor and relocation bracket
Converting Your MX Bike into a Sportsman Supermoto from Jerrett Bellamy on Vimeo.
Racer Setup. When you get more serious about racing you will want to upgrade to the 17" road race style wheels. This will allow you to use Supermoto specific tires and greatly improve the handling characteristics of your motocross bike for Supermoto. The next upgrade would be to further improve the front brake. This is accomplished by changing the caliper and master cylinder. 4 and 6 piston calipers are commonly used. Larger calipers require larger master cylinders. The master cylinders have various bore sizes and the size of your caliper determines the size of your master cylinder.
Slipper Clutch. A Slipper clutch is used to keep the back wheel from locking up when you are down shifting under hard braking. A slipper allows you to do your required downshifts entering a corner then just dump the clutch and continue your braking. This allows you make use of the engine braking. This also helps riders to perform the spectacular "backing it in" drifts that supermoto is known for.
There are many other smaller/ more specific modifications that can be made to make your motocross/ offroad bike to make it more suitable for Supermoto but the main ones were highlited above.
