Types of Motocross Bikes

Most people have seen a motocross bike on television, or racing across a vacant piece of land, but many people do not realize that different types of motocross bikes exist for sometimes completely different purposes and conditions. Even if you're no longer a youngster with no fear, you can still find a motocross bike to enjoy.

Motocross Race Bikes

If you've turned on the television and seen Ricky Carmichael, James Stewart or Jeremy McGrath piloting a dirt bike 30 feet in the air and across a 100-foot mountain of dirt, then you've seen a motocross race bike in action. Motocross race bikes are designed for high-speed, high-impact dirt racing. Race bikes are driven indoors, in stadium supercross racing, and at outdoor motocross tracks around the world. Motocross race bikes are engineered to perform on dirt and mud and are not meant to be used on the street. Nor are motocross race bikes the best choice for a beginner. Because they are geared for high performance, they are more difficult to operate and control.

Dual-Sport Bikes

Dual-sport bikes are a cross between a standard motocross bike and a street bike, with some models leaning toward motocross design and others leaning more toward street design. The surface you spend most of your time riding on dictates which type of dual-sport bike you need. Dual-sport bikes that lean toward motocross design may be street legal, but can't sustain freeway speeds over long distances. Dual-sport bikes that lean more toward street design aren't as agile on rough terrain and suspension will likely suffer. Dual-sport bikes are more often purchased for relaxation, rather than serious racing.

Enduro Bikes

Enduro bikes are motorcycles designed from a motocross race bike platform. Enduro racing is a cross-country race featuring different types of terrain--pavement, desert, forest or mountains. Enduro bikes have a longer frame and stiff suspension that enable them to operate on any terrain without losing traction. They also have a softer-hitting engine power band than motocross race bikes. Certain types of enduro bikes are used in mountain and rock climbing competitions.

Supermoto Bikes

A supermoto bike is essentially a motocross race bike equipped with street bike tires. It's designed to race on a track that alternates between a supercross-style dirt track with dirt obstacles and a flat, asphalt surface. Racers select a motocross race bike as the base for the design and then modify the race bike with some of the suspension and tires of a street bike. Because supermotard racing combines the skills of both motocross and street-bike racing, the sport is increasing in popularity.