"If it wasn't for the bad stuff, it wouldn't make winning worth it."
Modern Supermoto is a cross between motocross and road racing. 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 utilizing closed city streets for the road
course and a vacant lots 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, where
rider skill matters more than outright machine performance.