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TDeath21
8/9/2018 4:59pm
8/9/2018 4:59pm
Edited Date/Time
1/21/2021 7:43pm
I watched a classic movie. Supercross: The Movie. Kidding of course. But in that movie they have the Supermoto race and that got me thinking about what happened to it? There in the mid 2000s it seemed to be growing in popularity. Guys like Ward, Henry, and Pingree were all competing. It was also a popular X Games event and the likes of McGrath and even Reed would compete in the middle of his Nationals schedule.
So I guess my question is what happened? Economy? Popularity dropped as quickly as it rose? I think it would be a cool thing for RacerX to cover (if they haven’t already) since they have a contributor there in Pingree who lived it first hand.
Anyone have any info on why it’s not talked about at all anymore?
So I guess my question is what happened? Economy? Popularity dropped as quickly as it rose? I think it would be a cool thing for RacerX to cover (if they haven’t already) since they have a contributor there in Pingree who lived it first hand.
Anyone have any info on why it’s not talked about at all anymore?
Round 1: April 14: Boise, Idaho: Expo Idaho (Season opener with motorcycle show)
Round 2: May 13: Tucson, Ariz.: Musselman Honda Circuit (4th Annual Military Appreciation Race)
Round 3: June 8: Austin, Texas: Travis County Expo Center (23rd Anniversary Republic of Texas Rally)
Round 4: June 9: Austin, Texas: Travis County Expo Center
Round 5: Aug. 3-5: Quebec, Canada: GP3R Trois-Rivières (3rd Annual GP3R w/ FIA World Rallycross)
Round 6: Sept. 8: Sturgis, S.D.: Downtown Sturgis (6th Annual Streets of Sturgis Supermoto)
But a big factor was when all the guys that were specialist in Supermoto started dominating and then the motocross/road racing stars that brought the initial exposure stopped attending the races. Lose your stars and a spectator sport will die off.
The Shop
For a little while we had a group that would get together and ride regularly. We had some good times with that group, but it died off after a couple of months of doing the same thing over and over and getting followed by cops. Needless to say, I didn't keep my bike very long.
It's not as expensive as 10 years ago and it's as cheap as moto and waaaaaay cheaper than road racing. (No need for $200 track days when you can go to a kart track for less than $50.)
Husky is all-in on supermoto. Go to any kart track and you'll probably see a handful of mini-moto, supermoto, and small displacement bikes.
Track days are $30-50 and down here in SoCal a couple tracks have dirt sections.
Plus, for about $800 more than a new MX bike, you can have a brand new, purpose built track bike with high end wheels, slicks, slipper clutch, lowered suspension, and 320mm 4-Pot Brembos. Build that bike with a new MX bike and you're well over $15k.
I think part of the problem was the economy and another part was you actually had to build your bike. Now, you can put a deposit down at a Husky dealer and have one off the showroom floor that's ready to go.
I just sold mine this week and waiting for the 2019's to show up. Best part...you don't have to change air filter all summer. haha
If you're half-way decent at MX, you gotta try it. You might need better gloves and upper body armor but your existing MX gear works just fine.
Here's the bike I just sold.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GDbWSkTwJdk
is just a total blast to ride. I'd love to take it there sometime!
Then when AMA Pro Racing was broken up and sold, the Pro series was left holding the bag. Some tried to make it work and kept it going but then the economy too a crap and it was low on the pole and first to fall into the embers.
There was even a magazine dedicated to the sport that was published from the end of 2003 - 2009
Here is the late Marty Moates dragging the pegs on his 2-wheel drive Yamaha
GuyB photo
my own brother races supermotard
There is a Supermoto of Nations and in 2014 the USA went there for the first time
Pit Row
MXON is creeping up peoples head here and some just go full loco as you just did dude ... grow up
A lot of people think it was a new thing in the 2000s, but there were supermoto races back in the late 70s and early 80s. They used to show them on ABC, which they don't even do now. Also, it has always been bigger in Europe where they call it Supermotard.
Right now if Gage McAllister signs up, just hand him the trophy.
Apex is off and on with opening up their dirt section. Adams typically will open up their dirt section if SoCal Supermoto is holding classes.
Either way, check their calendars. The only time either has not been open to open practice is when there's a race.
Both typically run karts and bikes the same day (just different sessions). In fact, there's usually enough people there where they'll split up karts into fast and slow groups and bikes into fast and slow groups.
That being said, it's never been crowded and the staff at both are super cool. Just hold your line. haha
One cool thing about Apex is you can run in both directions depending on the day.
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