Motorcycle racing (also called moto racing and bike racing) is a
motorcycle sport of racing motorcycles. Major genres include road racing and off
road racing, both either on circuits or open courses, and track racing. Other
categories include hill climbs, drag racing and land speed record trials.
Road racing
Road racing is the racing of motorcycles on tarmac. Races can take place either
on purpose-built racing circuits or on closed public roads.
Motorcycle Grand Prix
Grand Prix motorcycle racing refers to the premier category of motorcycle road
racing. It is divided into three distinct classes:
125 cc — Engines in this class are two-stroke. This class is also restricted by
rider age, with an upper limit of 25 for newly signed riders and wild card
entries and an absolute upper limit of 28 for all riders.
Moto2 — Introduced by Dorna Sports, the commercial rights holder of the
competition, in 2010 as a 600 cc four-stroke class. Prior to that season, the
intermediate class was 250 cc with two-stroke engines. Moto2 races in the 2010
season will allow both engine types; from 2011 on, only the four-stroke Moto2
machines will be allowed in this class.
MotoGP — 800 cc four-stroke.
Grand prix motorcycles are prototype machines not based on any production
motorcycle.
Superbike racing
Superbike racing is a category of motorcycle road racing that employs modified
production motorcycles. Superbike racing motorcycles must have four stroke
engines of between 800 cc and 1200 cc for twins, and between 750 cc and 1000 cc
for four cylinder machines. The motorcycles must maintain the same profile as
their roadgoing counterparts. The overall appearance, seen from the front, rear
and sides, must correspond to that of the bike homologated for use on public
roads.
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