Motorcycle.com

v2-90 · 03-18-2003, 02:15 PM

Isn't this a take-off of the the old ABC "Superbikers" races? Does the AMA have a sanctioned Supermotard class or is this the beginning of something entirely new?

rsheidler · 03-18-2003, 03:26 PM

Yes, this originated with the Superbikers ("Supermotard" is simply French for "Superbiker"). When that event died out here, it got picked up in Europe, especially France, where it became one of more popular racing forms. In recent years, it has reappeared here and has been growing in popularity. The AMA is a bit late to the game, but they now are setting up a national series beginning this summer.

crankin500 · 03-18-2003, 03:56 PM

Hopefully, this may spur the manufacturers into building some high performance (and lightweight) dual sport bikes. How about a street legal Honda XR650R, KTM525 or Yamaha WR450?

BMW4VWW · 03-18-2003, 03:57 PM

Bob, you're right about the origin of Supermotard, however I personally started enjoying that type of riding since 1967 when I bought a BSA 441 Victor. In my estimation that particular bike (the rare times that it actually ran) was the ancestor of what now is refered to as the Supermotard motorcycle. VWW

FrankS1 · 03-18-2003, 04:12 PM

Racing at least something like that goes back a very long way. The Elsinore Gran Prix ran a longer course, but mixed pavement and various kinds of dirt. (See "On Any Sunday") And before that, there was the Catalina Gran Prix. I suppose you could even say that the original Daytona race, which was half on beach sand and half on road, was kind of an ancestor.

I can't help but think the AMA's timing is a little unfortunate: Now that we are getting "freedom fries" down at MacDonalds and drinking California wine exclusively, is it right to be promoting a type of racing developed and popularized in France? It even has a French name.

ducfast · 03-18-2003, 06:27 PM

I have to agree with you.

I'd like to see a SM'd street legal CRF 450.

I currently commute to work on a SM'd RMX250R but the four stroke would be better.

Craig

pplassm · 03-19-2003, 01:24 AM

Gee. I already have a street legal KTM EXC. It's not that hard!

jamesohoh7 · 03-19-2003, 01:33 AM

Like someone above already pointed out, 'supermotard' is just French for 'superbiker'. Further, it would appear that they picked it up from us via the Superbikers series in the early 80's. It may have grown and evolved over there, but it started here according to all history on the subject that I've read (granted that history may have been written here too, but I digress...)

I defer to Don Canet on the subject... pretty sure he credits the Yanks.

-James

fdavis · 03-19-2003, 04:18 AM

I think its sad that the someone would be concerned whether or not it is right to promote a generally non-violent sport based on where it was popularized.

everiman · 03-19-2003, 04:24 AM

So it would make a difference if it was a violent sport

?

03-18-2003, 02:15 PM	#1
v2-90 Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 73	Re: AMA Pro Racing releases AMA Red Bull Supermoto Rule Book Isn't this a take-off of the the old ABC "Superbikers" races? Does the AMA have a sanctioned Supermotard class or is this the beginning of something entirely new? __________________ -------------------------------- v2-90 powered by a Pantah...

03-18-2003, 03:26 PM	#2
rsheidler Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,459	Re: AMA Pro Racing releases AMA Red Bull Supermoto Rule Book Yes, this originated with the Superbikers ("Supermotard" is simply French for "Superbiker"). When that event died out here, it got picked up in Europe, especially France, where it became one of more popular racing forms. In recent years, it has reappeared here and has been growing in popularity. The AMA is a bit late to the game, but they now are setting up a national series beginning this summer.

03-18-2003, 03:56 PM	#3
crankin500 Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 44	New Bikes... Hopefully, this may spur the manufacturers into building some high performance (and lightweight) dual sport bikes. How about a street legal Honda XR650R, KTM525 or Yamaha WR450?

03-18-2003, 03:57 PM	#4
BMW4VWW Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 1,833	Re: AMA Pro Racing releases AMA Red Bull Supermoto Rule Book Bob, you're right about the origin of Supermotard, however I personally started enjoying that type of riding since 1967 when I bought a BSA 441 Victor. In my estimation that particular bike (the rare times that it actually ran) was the ancestor of what now is refered to as the Supermotard motorcycle. VWW

03-18-2003, 04:12 PM	#5
FrankS1 Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 156	Re: Supermotoard History Racing at least something like that goes back a very long way. The Elsinore Gran Prix ran a longer course, but mixed pavement and various kinds of dirt. (See "On Any Sunday") And before that, there was the Catalina Gran Prix. I suppose you could even say that the original Daytona race, which was half on beach sand and half on road, was kind of an ancestor. I can't help but think the AMA's timing is a little unfortunate: Now that we are getting "freedom fries" down at MacDonalds and drinking California wine exclusively, is it right to be promoting a type of racing developed and popularized in France? It even has a French name.

Sponsored Links	Remove Advertisements
Motorcycle Forum Advertisement

03-18-2003, 06:27 PM	#6
ducfast Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 25	Re: New Bikes... I have to agree with you. I'd like to see a SM'd street legal CRF 450. I currently commute to work on a SM'd RMX250R but the four stroke would be better. Craig

03-19-2003, 01:24 AM	#7
pplassm Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3,875	Re: New Bikes... Gee. I already have a street legal KTM EXC. It's not that hard! __________________ Mongo just pawn in game of life.

03-19-2003, 01:33 AM	#8
jamesohoh7 Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 211	It started here... Like someone above already pointed out, 'supermotard' is just French for 'superbiker'. Further, it would appear that they picked it up from us via the Superbikers series in the early 80's. It may have grown and evolved over there, but it started here according to all history on the subject that I've read (granted that history may have been written here too, but I digress...) I defer to Don Canet on the subject... pretty sure he credits the Yanks. -James

03-19-2003, 04:18 AM	#9
fdavis Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 31	Re: Supermotoard History I think its sad that the someone would be concerned whether or not it is right to promote a generally non-violent sport based on where it was popularized.

03-19-2003, 04:24 AM	#10
everiman Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 67	Re: Supermotoard History So it would make a difference if it was a violent sport ?