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{{Short description|Sporting aspects of motorcycling}}
[[Image:MotoX start.jpg|thumb|200px|Start of a Motocross race]]
{{Copy edit|date=August 2024}}
[[Image:Motorcycle racing.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Motorcycle Racing]]
[[Image:A Motor Cross Bike.jpg|thumb|200px|A Motor Cross Bike]]
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Lydden05.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|Classic road racing]] -->
'''Motorcycle sport''' is a broad field that encompasses all [[sport]]ing aspects of [[motorcycling]]. The disciplines are not all [[Racing|races]] or timed-speed events, as several disciplines test a competitor's various riding skills.
[[Image:A Speedway Bike.jpg|thumb|200px|A Speedway Bike]]
There are a variety of sports involving racing [[motorcycle]]s. [[Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme|FIM]] is the international sanctioning body for many such events.


==Motorcycle racing==
As motorcycles vary greatly in design, there are several different types of motorcycle racing contest, including:
{{main|Motorcycle racing}}
* [[Road racing]] in its purest form is racing on [[public road|public roads]], such as the [[Isle of Man TT]] course, the [[Macau Grand Prix]] and some courses in Ireland. Due to the inherent dangers that these street venues often carry such as narrow lanes, curbs, and adjacent walls, most road racing is now carried out on purpose-built tracks.
Motorcycle racing (also known as moto racing and motorbike racing) is a motorcycle sport involving [[racing]] [[motorcycles]]. Motorcycle racing can be divided into two categories, tarmac-based [[road racing|road disciplines]] and [[Off-roading|off-road]].
* '''Circuit racing''' where specially designed racing bikes or modified "production" bikes race each other on specially designed road circuits. [[MotoGP]] and [[Superbike]] are the top level racing and production classes.
*[[Classic Racing]] is where participants race heavily modified bikes from an earlier era - usually pre mid '70s bikes.
* [[Motocross]] and its cousin [[supercross]] are held on dirt courses, usually featuring large jumps in which motorcycles are launched over considerable distances.
* [[Supermoto]] is a crossover motorcycle racing between road racing and motocross. The motorcycles are mainly motocross types with road racing tires. The racetrack is also mixed between road and dirt courses, mostly handcrafted.
* [[Motorcycle speedway]] and [[ice speedway]] are held on oval circuits where riders slide their machines around turns.
* Grasstrack or Track Racing is held on oval tracks usually 400m+ utilising a machine very similar to a speedway bike.
* [[Motorcycle enduro]] racing is over long, unmade tracks, often through isolated terrain (e.g. [[Dakar Rally]] and [[Six Day Endurance]] race).
* [[Motorcycle endurance]] racing or rallying is based on a points system and doesn't focus on absolute completion time. Rallies cover many days and many thousands of miles, with bonus points being awarded for visits to remote destinations. The [[Iron Butt Association]] provides such rally coordination.
* [[Motorcycle trial]] is where participants ride specially-designed motorcycles at very slow speeds over a variety of obstacles.
* [[Motorcycle drag racing]] (also known as "Sprints") is where two participants line up at a [[dragstrip]] with a signaled starting line. Upon the starting signal, the riders accelerate down a 1/4 mile long, two lane, straight paved track where their elapsed time and terminal speed are recorded. The rider to reach the finish line first is the winner.
* '''Hill Climb''' is where a single rider climbs or trys to climb a dirt hill. The rider with the highest mark, or the quickest time to the top of the hill is the winner.
* '''[[Motorcycle land speed | Land Speed]]''' is where a single rider accelerates over a 1 to 3 mile long straight track (usually on dry lake beds) and is timed for top speed through a trap at the end of the run. The rider must exceed the previous top speed record for that class or type of bike for their name to be placed on the record books. See&mdash;[http://www.biker.co.nz/Reviews.asp?id=122] for an example.


==Circuit Racing==
== Track racing==
{{main|Track racing}}


Track racing is a motorcycle sport where teams or individuals race opponents around an oval track. There are differing variants, with each variant racing on a different surface type.
Some of the most popular categories of circuit racing include:


== Rally ==
* [[Grand Prix motorcycles]]
{{main|Motorcycle rally}}
* [[Superbike racing]]
A road rally is a navigation event on public roads whereby competitors must visit a number of checkpoints in diverse geographical locations while still obeying road traffic laws (not to be confused with car rallies such as [[World Rally Championship|WRC]]).
*[[Classic Racing]]
* [[Pocketbike Racing]]
* [[Dirt track racing]]
* [[Club Level Road Racing]]


==Speedway==
[[Category:Motorcycle racing]]
{{main|Motorcycle speedway}}
Speedway is a motorcycle sport in which the motorcycles have one gear and no brakes.


==Other Motorcycle sports==
[[de:Motorradsport]]
===Land speed===
[[es:Motociclismo]]
{{main|Motorcycle land speed record}}
[[eo:Motorciklado]]

[[fr:Compétition motocycliste]]
Land speed is where a single rider accelerates over a 1 to {{convert|3|mi|km|adj=on}} long straight track (usually on dry lake beds) and is timed for top speed through a trap at the end of the run. The rider must exceed the previous top speed record for that class or type of bike for their name to be placed on the record books. See&mdash;[http://www.biker.co.nz/Reviews.asp?id=122] for an example.
[[id:Balap motor]]

[[it:Motociclismo]]
===Enduro===
[[he:מרוץ אופנועים]]
{{main|Enduro}}
[[nl:Motorsport]]

[[ja:ロードレース (オートバイ)]]
Enduro, not to be confused with [[Enduro (mountain biking)]], is not exactly racing, because the main objective is to traverse a series of checkpoints, arriving exactly "on time" in accordance with your beginning time and the time it is supposed to take to arrive at each checkpoint. The courses are usually run over thick wooded terrain, sometimes with large obstacles such as logs, ditches, and sudden drops.
[[pt:Motociclismo]]

[[sv:Motorsport]]
===Freestyle Motocross===
{{main|Freestyle Motocross}}

A competition based upon points for acrobatic ability on an MX bike over jumps. This activity evolved from [[Motocross]] a continuing popular form of racing at both the Amateur and Professional levels.

===Trials===
{{main|Motorcycle trials}}
[[File:Montesa Cota.jpg|thumb|Trials commonly take place on rocky terrain]]

Known in the US as Observed Trials, it is not racing, but a sport nevertheless. Trials is a test of skill on a motorcycle whereby the rider attempts to traverse an observed section without placing a foot on the ground (and traditionally, although not always, without ceasing forward motion). The winner is the rider with the least penalty points.

====Time and observation====
Time and observation trials are trials with a time limit. The person who completes the route the quickest sets the "standard time" and all other competitors must finish within a certain amount of time of the standard time to be counted as a finisher (they received penalty points for every minute after the quickest finisher). This is combined with the penalty points accrued from the observed sections to arrive at a winner, who is not always the quickest rider or the rider who lost the less marks on observation but the rider who balanced these competing demands the best. One of the most famous time and observation trials is the "Scott" trial held annually in [[North Yorkshire]].

====Indoor trials====
Indoor trials held in stadiums (not necessarily with a roof) which by their very nature use human-made artificial sections in contrast to outdoor trials which rely heavily on the natural terrain.

====Long distance trials====
{{main|Trail riding}}

Long Distance Trials (often shortened to 'LDT') in the UK are events for road-registered motorcycles. A course of typically 80 to 120 miles is plotted by the organiser, taking in roads, lanes and Byways Open to All Traffic (known as BOATs). The event is not a race and riders are required to follow the course by using a RoadBook compiled by the organiser.

===Motorcycle Gymkhana===
{{main|Gymkhana (motorcycle)}}
Similar to car [[Autocross]], Motorcycle Gymkhana is a motorcycle time trial sport round cones on a paved area. The winner is the competitor who completes the course in the shortest time. Time penalties are incurred by putting a foot down, hitting a cone, or going outside the designated area.

=== Motoball (Motorcycle Polo) ===
{{main|Motoball}}
Similar to football, but all players (except goalkeepers) are riding motorcycles, and the ball is much bigger. Motorcycle Polo first began as an officially organized sport in the mid-1930s.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=ySUDAAAAMBAJ&dq=Popular+Science+1933+plane+%22Popular+Science%22&pg=PA42 "Daring Riders Thrill Crowds With Polo On Motor Cycles"] July 1935 ''Popular Science Monthly''</ref> In [[France]], there are organized motoball competitions, and the sport was included in the inaugural [[Goodwill Games]].

=== Hill Climbs ===
In the United States the completions are usually held on off-road courses, where one competitor at a time attempts to ride up a very steep hill, often 45 degrees or more. In some cases, few riders actually complete the course and results are judged on the distance that they manage to achieve. Of those that do complete the course, the rider to reach the top with the shortest elapsed time wins. The motorcycle of choice in the early decades was the [[Harley-Davidson]] 45 cubic inch model due to its high torque at low rpms, similar to farm engines. For years the national competitions was held at Mount Garfield near [[Muskegon, Michigan]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=yt0DAAAAMBAJ&dq=1954+Popular+Mechanics+January&pg=PA142 "Mountain Goats on Two Wheels."] ''Popular Mechanics'', December 1954, pp. 142-144</ref>

In other countries, notably the [[United Kingdom]], completions mostly take place on tarmac courses, occasionally closed public roads, with the machines used for competition being similar to those used for other [[road racing|road disciplines]].

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
[[File:Motorcycle phillip island03.jpg|thumb|A Supersport bike at [[Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit|Phillip Island]].]]
;Sanctioning bodies
{{Commons category|Motorcycle sport}}
{{refbegin}}
* [https://www.fim-moto.com/ Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme] (FIM) – World governing body
* [http://www.ma.org.au Motorcycling Australia (MA)] – Australian Governing Body
* [http://www.acu.org.uk/ Auto Cycle Union] – UK governing body
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081218082945/http://www.ama-cycle.org/ American Motorcyclist Association] (AMA) – US governing body
* [http://www.mfj.or.jp/ Motorcycle Federation of Japan] (MFJ) – Japan governing body
* [http://www.motorsport.co.za/ Motosport South Africa] (MSA) – South African governing body
* [http://www.ffmoto.org Federation Francaise de moto] (FFM) – French governing body
* [http://www.motorcycling-ireland.com/ MCUI Southern Centre] – "governing body of motor cycle sport in Leinster, Munster and Connacht" (i.e., [[Republic of Ireland]])
* [http://www.ccsracing.us/ Championship Cup Series] – Sanctioning body for Sportsman Level motorcycle road racing in the United States
{{refend}}
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{{Motorcycles}}
{{Main world championships}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Motorcycle sport| ]]

Latest revision as of 22:44, 18 November 2024

Motorcycle sport is a broad field that encompasses all sporting aspects of motorcycling. The disciplines are not all races or timed-speed events, as several disciplines test a competitor's various riding skills.

Motorcycle racing

[edit]
Main article: Motorcycle racing

Motorcycle racing (also known as moto racing and motorbike racing) is a motorcycle sport involving racing motorcycles. Motorcycle racing can be divided into two categories, tarmac-based road disciplines and off-road.

Track racing

[edit]
Main article: Track racing

Track racing is a motorcycle sport where teams or individuals race opponents around an oval track. There are differing variants, with each variant racing on a different surface type.

Rally

[edit]
Main article: Motorcycle rally

A road rally is a navigation event on public roads whereby competitors must visit a number of checkpoints in diverse geographical locations while still obeying road traffic laws (not to be confused with car rallies such as WRC).

Speedway

[edit]
Main article: Motorcycle speedway

Speedway is a motorcycle sport in which the motorcycles have one gear and no brakes.

Other Motorcycle sports

[edit]

Land speed

[edit]
Main article: Motorcycle land speed record

Land speed is where a single rider accelerates over a 1 to 3-mile (4.8 km) long straight track (usually on dry lake beds) and is timed for top speed through a trap at the end of the run. The rider must exceed the previous top speed record for that class or type of bike for their name to be placed on the record books. See—[1] for an example.

Enduro

[edit]
Main article: Enduro

Enduro, not to be confused with Enduro (mountain biking), is not exactly racing, because the main objective is to traverse a series of checkpoints, arriving exactly "on time" in accordance with your beginning time and the time it is supposed to take to arrive at each checkpoint. The courses are usually run over thick wooded terrain, sometimes with large obstacles such as logs, ditches, and sudden drops.

Freestyle Motocross

[edit]
Main article: Freestyle Motocross

A competition based upon points for acrobatic ability on an MX bike over jumps. This activity evolved from Motocross a continuing popular form of racing at both the Amateur and Professional levels.

Trials

[edit]
Main article: Motorcycle trials
Trials commonly take place on rocky terrain

Known in the US as Observed Trials, it is not racing, but a sport nevertheless. Trials is a test of skill on a motorcycle whereby the rider attempts to traverse an observed section without placing a foot on the ground (and traditionally, although not always, without ceasing forward motion). The winner is the rider with the least penalty points.

Time and observation

[edit]

Time and observation trials are trials with a time limit. The person who completes the route the quickest sets the "standard time" and all other competitors must finish within a certain amount of time of the standard time to be counted as a finisher (they received penalty points for every minute after the quickest finisher). This is combined with the penalty points accrued from the observed sections to arrive at a winner, who is not always the quickest rider or the rider who lost the less marks on observation but the rider who balanced these competing demands the best. One of the most famous time and observation trials is the "Scott" trial held annually in North Yorkshire.

Indoor trials

[edit]

Indoor trials held in stadiums (not necessarily with a roof) which by their very nature use human-made artificial sections in contrast to outdoor trials which rely heavily on the natural terrain.

Long distance trials

[edit]
Main article: Trail riding

Long Distance Trials (often shortened to 'LDT') in the UK are events for road-registered motorcycles. A course of typically 80 to 120 miles is plotted by the organiser, taking in roads, lanes and Byways Open to All Traffic (known as BOATs). The event is not a race and riders are required to follow the course by using a RoadBook compiled by the organiser.

Motorcycle Gymkhana

[edit]
Main article: Gymkhana (motorcycle)

Similar to car Autocross, Motorcycle Gymkhana is a motorcycle time trial sport round cones on a paved area. The winner is the competitor who completes the course in the shortest time. Time penalties are incurred by putting a foot down, hitting a cone, or going outside the designated area.

Motoball (Motorcycle Polo)

[edit]
Main article: Motoball

Similar to football, but all players (except goalkeepers) are riding motorcycles, and the ball is much bigger. Motorcycle Polo first began as an officially organized sport in the mid-1930s.[1] In France, there are organized motoball competitions, and the sport was included in the inaugural Goodwill Games.

Hill Climbs

[edit]

In the United States the completions are usually held on off-road courses, where one competitor at a time attempts to ride up a very steep hill, often 45 degrees or more. In some cases, few riders actually complete the course and results are judged on the distance that they manage to achieve. Of those that do complete the course, the rider to reach the top with the shortest elapsed time wins. The motorcycle of choice in the early decades was the Harley-Davidson 45 cubic inch model due to its high torque at low rpms, similar to farm engines. For years the national competitions was held at Mount Garfield near Muskegon, Michigan.[2]

In other countries, notably the United Kingdom, completions mostly take place on tarmac courses, occasionally closed public roads, with the machines used for competition being similar to those used for other road disciplines.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Daring Riders Thrill Crowds With Polo On Motor Cycles" July 1935 Popular Science Monthly
  2. ^ "Mountain Goats on Two Wheels." Popular Mechanics, December 1954, pp. 142-144
[edit]
A Supersport bike at Phillip Island.
Sanctioning bodies
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Motorcycle sport.
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