In comparison to motocross and enduro, supermoto is a relatively young sport – it’s only been around since 1979. It’s no less exciting or challenging though, combining both dirt and tarmac surfaces (complete with jumps) to really put a rider and their bike to the ultimate test.
Naturally, as time has gone on, supermoto bikes have become more and more specialised with each passing year. Today’s supermoto bikes may look a lot like the dirt bikes they’re based on, but in reality they’re quite a different beast.
So, what exactly sets a supermoto bike apart from a dirt bike?
To help you decide what to buy (or simply satisfy your curiosity), we’ve outlined the key alterations below.
Smaller wheels
Supermotos typically run smaller, 17” wheels front and rear, unlike dirt bikes which usually have larger wheels at the front than the back. Supermoto wheels are smaller chiefly to give the bike a lower centre of gravity and reduce weight, improving the handling on tarmac.
Different tyres
Different wheels mean different tyres, and rubber is one obvious area where supermotos are very different from their dirt bike cousins. Unlike the latter, which use knobbly, dirt-specific tyres, supermoto bikes wear slick or semi-slick road tyres. Although this gives them less grip on the dirt sections of the track, that lost time is easily regained on the faster tarmac portions.
Beefier brakes
Grippier tyres naturally means that larger, more powerful brakes are needed. Compared to dirt bikes, supermotos feature upgraded calipers and discs for increased stopping power, allowing the rider to take full advantage of the increased grip on offer.
Lower ride height & stiffer suspension
Again, because supermoto bikes spend the majority of their lives on tarmac, their suspension setup borrows from both dirt and sport bikes. Offering a blend of both extremes, supermoto bikes have lower, stiffer suspension than dirt bikes – although still a far cry from a sport bike setup. They do still need to be able to land jumps, after all!
Higher price
Specialised features push the price of supermoto bikes above those of dirt bikes, although there are exceptions to this rule. For many, the higher price is well worth paying; supermoto bikes aren’t just more competitive in their namesake sport, they’re a lot of fun on the road too. Just make sure you choose a model with lights and mirrors if you want to take it outside the circuit grounds.
If you do decide to get yourself a supermoto bike, we have a range of supermoto protection parts in stock to keep your bike’s components safe on the track. As the UK’s leading manufacturer of carbon fibre motocross parts, we produce a wide range of parts for all your favourite dirt bikes, too. Choose a manufacturer today to browse our lineup.
