Torsten Hallman (born 17 October 1939) is a Swedish former professional motocross racer and business entrepreneur . He competed in the Motocross World Championships from 1959 to 1971 , most prominently as a member of the Husqvarna factory racing team where he won four 250cc Motocross World Championships.
103-720: Motocross is a form of off-road motorcycle racing held on enclosed off-road circuits. The sport evolved from motorcycle trials competitions held in the United Kingdom . Motocross first evolved in Britain from motorcycle trials competitions, such as the Auto-Cycle Clubs 's first quarterly trial in 1909 and the Scottish Six Days Trial that began in 1912. When organisers dispensed with delicate balancing and strict scoring of trials in favour of
206-528: A Saab 96 with his older brother, Hans, serving as his co-driver. At the end of the 1966 World Championship, the American importer for Husqvarna motorcycles, Edison Dye, invited Hallman to participate in exhibition races up and down the west coast of the United States as a means to introduce the sport of motocross to an American audience. Hallman impressed American spectators who had never witnessed
309-429: A 23 second lead over Robert, when his motorcycle's rear tire was punctured allowing Robert to pass Hallman for the victory. As the second race began, Hallman once again took the lead until his engine began to overheat and lose power, allowing Robert to catch up and pass him for the race victory. Robert claimed the 1968 250cc World Championship by two points, denying Hallman's bid for a fifth world championship. Hallman
412-418: A 500 cc engine displacement formula. In 1957 it was upgraded to World Championship status. In 1962 a 250 cc world championship was established and, new rules were adopted dividing the races into two 45 minute heat races that were referred to as motos. In the smaller 250 cc category companies with two-stroke motorcycles came into their own. Companies such as Husqvarna from Sweden, CZ from
515-439: A Harley-Davidson or other cruisers with full sets of saddlebags. This can now refer to any touring motorcycle. Sport bikes are road bikes that emphasize top speed, acceleration, braking, handling and grip, typically at the expense of comfort and fuel economy in comparison to other motorcycle types. Sport bikes have comparatively high performance engines supported within a lightweight frame. Inline-four engines dominate
618-671: A Super-Modified class which will allow any size ATV in competition. Sidecar racing, known as Sidecarcross has been around since the 1950s but has declined in popularity since the mid‑1980s. This variant is common in Europe, with a few followers in the United States, New Zealand, and Australia. The premier competition, the Sidecarcross World Championship , is contested on European tracks only and almost exclusively by Europeans. Motocross sidecars are purpose built frames that resemble an ordinary motocross-cycle with
721-417: A bicycle drivetrain, and motive power can be supplied by the engine, the rider, or both. There are also Sport mopeds – a type of moped that resembles a sport bike . In many places, mopeds are subject to less stringent licensing than bikes with larger engines and are popular as very cheap motorbikes, with the pedals seeing next to no use. Mopeds were very popular in the United States during the fuel-crisis of
824-569: A blend with "cross country". The first known scramble race in the Camberley , Surrey in 1924. The 100th anniversary of the very first Motocross race will be commemorated in March 2024. The same cub that ran the 1924 event will be running it again over the same land. The entry will be limited to 150 competitors – see https://www.camberleyanddistrictmotorclub.co.uk/ During the 1930s the sport grew in popularity, especially in Britain where teams from
927-782: A dirt bike chassis, they have added lights, mirrors, signals, and instruments that allow them to be licensed for public roads. They are higher than other street bikes, with a high center of gravity and tall seat height, allowing good suspension travel for rough ground. Adventure motorcycles (ADV) are motorcycles with touring capability on paved and unpaved roads. As a dual-sport they have a significant on-pavement bias and perform well on pavement at higher speeds unlike most dual-sports. Their size, weight and sometimes their tires, however, limits their off-road capability. Most adventure motorcycles function well on graded dirt and gravel roads but are less than ideal on more difficult off-pavement terrain. Supermoto motorcycles were designed to compete on
1030-416: A duration of 30 minutes plus two laps. The AMA Motocross Championship begins in mid May and continues until late August. The championship consists of eleven rounds at eleven major tracks all over the continental United States. There are three classes: the 250cc Motocross Class for 150–250 cc 4-stroke machines, the 450cc Motocross Class for 251–450 cc 4-stroke machines and a 250cc Women's Class, using
1133-418: A flat platform to stand on attached to either side and a handlebar at waist height to hold on to. The side of the "chair" (slang for the platform) usually follows the side of the road the nation in question drives upon, but not always. The passenger balances the bike by being a counterweight, especially in corners and on jumps. It is driven on ordinary crosstracks. It is very physically demanding, especially for
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#17327973567261236-426: A fourth place in the 1965 250cc World Championship . Russian ČZ rider Victor Arbekov won five Grand Prix races to claim the world championship ahead of the defending champion Joël Robert. The following three seasons were marked by the intense rivalry between Hallman and his great rival, Joël Robert. Husqvarna produced a new race bike for 1966 with a new, rigid frame that placed the engine lower so that handling
1339-475: A group of judges. The riders are scored on style, level of trick difficulty, best use of the course, and frequently, crowd reactions. FMX was introduced to the X ;Games and mainstream audiences in 1999. Supermoto uses motocross bikes converted for racing on tracks consisting of three sections: flat dirt, dirt obstacles, and paved road. The bikes have special road-racing tires with grooved tread to grip both
1442-428: A higher-displacement engine, ranging from 400cc to 850cc (24.5−51.9 cu in), and superior performance, designed for covering long distances at high speeds. However, their considerably greater weight and lower agility make them suitable for use in the city or on highways. A scooter is considered to fall into the mega-scooter category when its displacement exceeds 400cc. Underbones are small-displacement motorcycles with
1545-418: A necessary addition, since the stock mini-bike suspension was designed for a small child. Wheel, brake, and tire upgrades are sometimes performed to improve handling. Pit bikes also have their own separate competitions held with classes generally corresponding to wheel size. This is a notable difference from Motocross and Supercross competition, where classes are separated by engine displacement. Pit bike racing
1648-545: A practice motocross track on their farm where Hallman first learned to ride at the age of 13. Hallman’s first motorcycle was a 100cc DKW , which he rode in all types of weather including rain and snow. After the DKW was worn down from constant riding, he next acquired a 175cc Royal Enfield motorcycle. Hallman entered his first race at the age of 17 as a member of the Uppsala Motorcycle Club (UMCK). He won
1751-603: A professor at the Liege Engineering College in Belgium. When Tilkens had his new suspension system rejected by the Suzuki factory, he approached Hallman who then tested a motorcycle fitted with the new suspension. Having seen the benefits of the suspension for himself, Hallman convinced Yamaha team manager, Mr. Kuratomo, that the new invention was worth developing. The suspension design which became known by
1854-580: A prototype 400cc four-stroke motorcycle, the YZM 400, which was debuted in the FIM Motocross World Championship . The motorcycle made its U.S. debut in 1997, where Yamaha Factory Racing rider Doug Henry led every lap of the main event at the 1997 AMA Supercross Finale and became the first person to win an AMA Supercross race on a four-stroke powered motorcycle. Following Yamaha's release of the production model YZ400F in 1998, Henry won
1957-556: A race to become the fastest rider to the finish, the activity became known as " hare scrambles ", said to have originated in the phrase, "a rare old scramble" describing one such early race. Though known as scrambles racing (or just scrambles ) in the United Kingdom, the sport grew in popularity and the competitions became known internationally as "motocross racing", by combining the French word for motorcycle, motocyclette , into
2060-472: A relaxed, upright seating position. Passenger accommodation is excellent and expansive luggage space is the norm for this class. Such bikes can have wet weights of 850–900 lb (390–410 kg) and top 1,300–1,400 lb (590–640 kg) fully loaded with a rider, passenger and gear. Bagger , full dresser , full dress tourer , or dresser are various names for touring motorcycles, sometimes used disparagingly or jocularly, and originally referring to
2163-594: A river, mud or snow. These types of terrain can sometimes only be travelled on with vehicles designed for off-road driving (such as SUVs , ATVs , snowmobiles and mountain bikes in recent decades, and minibikes even earlier) or vehicles are designed to better handle off-road conditions. Compared to road-going motorcycles, off-road machines are lighter and more flexible, typically having long suspension travel , high ground clearance, and are geared higher to provide more torque in off-road situations. Wheels (usually 21" front, 18" rear) have knobby tires , often clamped to
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#17327973567262266-558: A season-long battle for the 1966 250cc Motocross World Championship that wasn't decided until the final race when Hallman finally prevailed over his rival. Hallman was once again a member of the victorious Swedish team at the 1966 Trophée des Nations, helping the Swedish team take top honors for the third time in four years (the 1965 Trophée des Nations event was canceled due to bad weather). During his free time, Hallman also participated in Swedish auto rally racing competitions, driving
2369-1241: A seat, and a flat foot platform, allowing the rider to maintain an upright posture without straddling the engine. This configuration not only enhances rider comfort but also contributes to fuel efficiency . Currently, three main types of scooters are recognized, each with its own characteristics and applications: Standard scooter: This type of scooter is ideal for urban mobility due to its ease of handling and parking. They are lightweight, comfortable, and agile vehicles, perfect for navigating through dense city traffic. Their wheels are usually smaller than those of conventional motorcycles, with diameters ranging from 12 to 15 inches (30.5−38 cm), and they have an engine displacement ranging from 50cc to 150cc (3.1−9.2 cu in). Maxi-scooter: Maxi-scooters are equipped with high-displacement engines, ranging from 125cc to 250cc (7.7–15.3 cu in), designed for covering long distances at high speeds. Although they are heavier and less agile than standard scooters, they are commonly used in cities and suburbs due to their larger fuel tank capacity and larger wheels, which can reach 15 or even 16 inches (38.1−40.7 cm). Mega-scooter: also known as touring scooters , like maxi-scooters, mega-scooters feature
2472-488: A second chance by the Husqvarna factory, Hallman rode his Husqvarna motorcycle to victory, winning five of the last six Grand Prix races to overtake BSA teammates Jeff Smith and Arthur Lampkin and claim his first world title. Hallman successfully defended his crown in 1963, dominating the 1963 250cc World Championship by winning eight of the fourteen rounds to take the title over three ČZ factory team riders. At
2575-527: A single course that alternated between three genres of motorcycle racing : road racing , track racing , and motocross . This increasingly popular type of motorcycle is often a dual-sport that has been fitted by the manufacturer with smaller rims and road tires. Supermotos are quickly gaining popularity as street bikes due to their combination of light weight, durability, relatively low cost, and sporty handling. Sport touring motorcycles combine attributes of sport bikes and touring motorcycles. The rider posture
2678-434: A step-through frame, descendants of the original Honda Super Cub . They are differentiated from scooters by their larger wheels and their use of footpegs instead of a floorboard. They often have a gear shifter with an automatic clutch. The moped used to be a hybrid of the bicycle and the motorcycle, equipped with a small engine (usually a small two-stroke engine up to 50 cc, but occasionally an electric motor ) and
2781-441: A sub-discipline similar to supercross known as arenacross , which is held in small indoor arenas. Classes were also formed for all-terrain vehicles . Freestyle motocross (FMX) events where riders are judged on their jumping and aerial acrobatic skills have gained popularity, as has supermoto , where motocross machines race both on tarmac and off-road. Vintage motocross (VMX) events take place – usually for motorcycles predating
2884-647: A successful off-road racing apparel company. Hallman played an integral role in the introduction of the sport of motocross in the United States. He was recognized for his influential role in the development of American motocross in 2000 when, he was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame . In 2012, he was named an FIM Legend for his motorcycling achievements. Hallman was born in Viksta, just outside of Uppsala , Sweden . His father and older brother were both motorcycle racers, and they had built
2987-542: A test ride with the Greeves factory, he was notified that the Husqvarna management had reluctantly agreed to repurpose some of the funding for their chainsaw division, and instead invest it into the development of a new 250cc motorcycle with a four-speed, two-stroke engine. Husqvarna was one of the first motorcycle manufacturers to adopt two-stroke engine technology. During the 1950s, motocross competitors used motorcycles with heavy, pre-war, four-stroke engines , however
3090-488: A turning point in motocross history as, it was the first win by a two-stroke powered motorcycle in the premier division of the Motocross World Championships. By the mid-1960s, advances in two-stroke engine technology meant that the heavier, four-stroke machines were relegated to niche competitions. Riders from Belgium and Sweden began to dominate the sport during this period. Motocross arrived in
3193-591: A type of cruiser, so called because they are a "chopped", or cut-down, version of a production cruiser. Choppers are usually custom projects that result in a bike modified to suit the owner's ideals, and, as such, are a source of pride and accomplishment. Stereotypically, a chopper may have raked-out forks, small fuel tanks and high handlebars. Choppers were popularised in the Peter Fonda film Easy Rider . Being designed primarily for visual effect, choppers will rarely be suitable for lengthy cruising. Related to
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3296-572: A wide audience came on the American television program ABC's Wide World of Sports in 1979. After 1985, the sport declined and received little exposure in the US, but in Europe, it started gaining popularity, and in 2003 it was revived in the US, when the name became Supermoto. Throughout the United States and the United Kingdom there are many quad racing clubs with enduro and quadcross sections. GNCC Racing began around 1980 and includes hare scramble and enduro type races. To date, events are mainly held in
3399-400: Is a motorized bicycle used for motor-paced cycling events. While motorcycles typically have two wheels, some motorized tricycles are classed as three-wheeled motorcycles. Some brands have made various types of three-wheelers direct from the factory. Most of these vehicles are treated as motorcycles for registration or licensing purposes. Tilting three-wheelers keep all three wheels on
3502-585: Is a relatively new niche of motocross, and as such, there is no official governing body similar to the AMA. Manufacturers that have ceased production Motocross is governed worldwide by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), with federations in many nations. Types of motorcycles#Off-road In the market, there is a wide variety of types of motorcycles , each with unique characteristics and features. Models vary according to
3605-470: Is less extreme than a sport bike, giving greater long-distance comfort. Accommodation for a passenger is superior to a sport bike as well, along with increased luggage capacity. Being lighter, at 550–720 lb (250–330 kg) wet, than a pure touring bike and often having racier engines, suspensions, and brakes, sport tourers corner better and are more at home being aggressively ridden on curvy canyon roads. The distinction between touring and sport touring
3708-492: Is not always clear as some manufacturers will list the same bike in either category in different markets. The Honda ST1300 Pan-European , for example, was listed by Honda as a sport touring motorcycle in the United States and Australia, but as a touring motorcycle in Europe. Scooters are a type of motorcycles distinguished by their continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and distinctive design. Unlike traditional motorcycles, scooters feature an open frame structure,
3811-760: Is split into two series, east and west. The 450 cc class has one large series with events across the US and Canada. In 2022, the World Supercross Championship was demerged from the AMA Supercross Championship, to be held as a standalone series once more. The series previously ran from 2003 to 2008. Supercross events are also held in Australia , known as the Australian Supercross Championship promoted by Motorcycling Australia . Along with
3914-545: Is usually a small dirt bike, but it has become common to be able to buy pit bikes with street-style wheels and tires. Pit bikes with street tires, as opposed to knobby tires , are used in Mini Supermoto Racing. Pit bikes are frequently heavily customized with decorative add-ons and performance-enhancing parts. Many riders and mechanics bore-out or replace engines in order to increase displacement and therefore power output. Heavy duty suspension systems are often
4017-656: The 1970 250 cc crown. In 1972 , the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) inaugurated the AMA Motocross Championships and, held its first stadium race at the Los Angeles Coliseum , promoted by Mike Goodwin and Terry Tiernan, then-president of the AMA. The stadium event, won by 16-year-old Marty Tripes , paved the way for constructed, stadium-based motocross events known as supercross. In 1975 ,
4120-665: The AMA Supercross Championship in the United States , are held almost exclusively in professional baseball and football stadiums. The supercross season takes place during the winter and spring months, with races in a different city every weekend. There are 17 races in the AMA Supercross Championship schedule, normally beginning in Anaheim, California, and ending in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 250 cc class
4223-676: The Birmingham Small Arms Company (BSA), Norton , Matchless , Rudge , and AJS competed in the events. The first motocross race held on an artificial track inside a stadium took place on August 28, 1948, at Buffalo Stadium in the Paris suburb of Montrouge. The event was the forerunner to supercross competitions. Off-road motorcycles from that era differed little from those used on the street. The intense competition over rugged terrain led to technical improvements in motorcycles. Rigid frames gave way to suspensions by
Motocross - Misplaced Pages Continue
4326-660: The Yamaha factory to help them develop the Yamaha YZ250 motocross bike. Hallman scored Yamaha's first motocross world championship points with a 7th place at the 1971 250cc Dutch Grand Prix. At the age of 32, he retired from competition at the end of the 1971 season, but continued to work on motorcycle development for Yamaha. Hallman was instrumental in Yamaha's decision to purchase the patent for an innovative single shock absorber rear suspension designed by Lucien Tilkens,
4429-481: The ambulance , blood bikes , fire , and military services, and for specialized delivery services, such as pizza deliveries . Beginning in the 1960s with the Mountain Goat specialized motorcycles were developed for use on farms. The Motocrotte (or cainette ) was used in Paris to collect dog waste with vacuum suction in the 1980s and 1990s, and was still in use in other French cities as of 2016. A derny
4532-582: The minibike , monkey bike , Welbike , pocketbike , and pit bike . Enclosed motorcycles include cabin motorcycles and streamliner motorcycles . Feet forwards motorcycles include the 1911 Wilkinson TMC and the 1918 Ner-A-Car . Contemporary examples include the Quasar , powered by a Reliant Robin engine, and the Peraves range powered mainly by BMW K Series engines. Some motorcycles are specially adapted for specific job functions, such as those used by
4635-499: The 1930s to the early 1960s, such as those made by Harley-Davidson , Indian , and Excelsior-Henderson . Harley-Davidsons largely define the cruiser category, and large- displacement V-twin engines are the norm, although other engine configurations and small to medium displacements also exist. Their engines are tuned for low-end torque, making them less demanding to ride because it is not necessary to shift as frequently to accelerate or maintain control. The riding position places
4738-449: The 1959 Novemberkåsan Enduro . Hallman possessed a smooth, efficient riding style, absorbing jumps with his legs so that his motorcycle flew at half the height of his competitors, which allowed the rear tire to begin applying power to the ground sooner. Five-time World Champion, Roger De Coster , cited Hallman's riding style as having influenced his own riding habits. His success on the race track earned Hallman full sponsorship from
4841-522: The 1963 Trophée des Nations, Hallman won both heat races to help the Swedish team defeat the British and Czechoslovakian teams. 22-year-old newcomer, Åke Jonsson , who had defeated Hallman in the 1964 250cc Swedish National Championship, would join Hallman on the Husqvarna factory racing team to help with development of the new race bike, and to help fend off the threat from the ČZ factory racing team in
4944-490: The 1964 250cc World Championship. Prior to the 1964 season , Hallman had been offered a contract to race for the ČZ factory racing team. ČZ had developed a new twin-port, two-stroke engine that considerably increased its horsepower. However, Hallman rejected their offer preferring to remain with the Husqvarna team. After Hallman's rejection, the ČZ factory gave the motorcycle they had intended for Hallman to 20-year-old privateer , Joël Robert . Robert took full advantage of
5047-559: The 1975 model year. Many VMX races also include a "Post Vintage" portion, which usually includes bikes dating until 1983. The FIM Grand Prix Motocross World Championship is predominantly held in Europe, but also includes events in North America, South America, Asia, Australia, and Africa. It is the major Motocross series worldwide. There are three classes: MXGP for 450cc machines, MX2 for 250cc machines, and Women's MX. Competitions consist of two races which are called motos with
5150-443: The 250 AMA Motocross Championship and became the first person to win a major AMA Motocross title on a four-stroke powered motorcycle. This success motivated the remaining major manufacturers, Honda , Kawasaki , and Suzuki , to develop their own four-stroke motocross race bikes. By 2006 , every manufacturer had begun competing with four-stroke machines in the AMA 125 (FIM MX2) and 250 (MX1) classes. The sport has further evolved into
5253-468: The 250cc Dutch Grand Prix at Lichtenvoorde , where he scored an impressive third place in the first heat race behind race winner Rolf Tibblin and second-placed Stig Rickardsson. He placed seventh in the second heat race. At the 1959 250cc Swedish Grand Prix, he followed race winner Tibblin with two second place results. Tibblin went on to win the 1959 250cc European motocross championship for Husqvarna. Hallman also finished second to Gunnar Johansson at
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#17327973567265356-470: The ATV industry recognized a need for uniformity of classes and rules of various local mud bog events. Providing standardized rules created the need for a governing body that both racers and event promoters could turn to and CMR was born. Once unified, a true points series was established and lead to a national championship for what was once nothing more than a hobby for most. In 2007 the finalized board of directors
5459-477: The FIM introduced a 125 cc world championship. European riders continued to dominate international motocross competitions throughout the 1970s with Belgian or Swedish riders winning ten Motocross des Nations (MXDN) events between 1969 and 1980 but, by the 1980s, American riders had caught up with American teams winning a string of 13 consecutive MXDN victories between 1981 and 1993. In 1978 , Akira Watanabe became
5562-475: The Husqvarna racing team in the 1960 250cc European Motocross Championship. He won his first European Championship heat race at the season-opening 250cc Spanish Grand Prix ahead of Dave Bickers and Jaromír Čížek . He won another heat race in East Germany ahead of Stig Rickardsson and Arthur Lampkin , but then broke his collarbone at 1960 250cc British Grand Prix which forced him to miss the remainder of
5665-514: The Junior Class at the 1957 Nyman Cup and scored fifth overall. His sudden success brought him to the attention of Bror Jauren, manager of Husqvarna ’s racing team, who offered Hallman a motorcycle and support for his racing competitions. He then won the 1958 200cc Swedish Enduro National Championship. Hallman won the 175cc Swedish Enduro National Championship in 1959, and entered into his first 250cc European motocross championship race at
5768-718: The SX Open held in Auckland , New Zealand , the country's biggest event the Aus X-Open forms part of the Oceania Supercross Championship. Freestyle Motocross (FMX), a relatively new variation of supercross started by the South African champion, Marco Urzi, does not involve racing and instead it concentrates on performing acrobatic stunts while jumping motocross bikes. The winner is chosen by
5871-462: The US the late 1970s when TV journalist Gavin Trippe envisioned a racing event that would prove who the best motorcycle racer was. From 1980 to 1985, he organized a yearly event called "The Superbikers", which pitted the top riders from three disciplines, flat track , road racing , and motocross against one another on modified bikes raced on special tracks on the television show. Its first exposure to
5974-546: The United States in 1966 when Swedish champion, Torsten Hallman rode an exhibition event against the top American TT riders at the Corriganville Movie Ranch also known as Hopetown in Simi Valley, California . The following year Hallman was joined by other motocross stars including Roger DeCoster , Joël Robert , and Dave Bickers . They dominated the event, placing their lightweight two-strokes into
6077-414: The advancement of two-stroke engine technology was the primary focus of the major Japanese motorcycle manufacturers well into the mid 1990s, a rekindled interest in engineering a competitive, lightweight four-stroke motocross race bike was expressed among several brands, including Yamaha Motor Corporation and Husqvarna. Facing tightening federal emissions regulations in the United States, the AMA increased
6180-540: The advances in two-stroke technology after the Second World War made apparent the importance of lightness and agility in motocross racing. Hallman was asked to stay on and help development of the new motorcycle while competing in the World Championships. Believing that the future of motocross was with the lightweight two-stroke engines, he chose to remain in the 250cc class rather than compete in
6283-631: The allowable displacement capacity for four-stroke engines in 1997, in an effort to encourage manufacturers to develop environmentally friendlier four-stroke machines. Due to the low relative power output of a four-stroke engine compared to the then-dominating two-stroke design, the displacement limit of a four-stroke power motocross bike was raised to 250cc in the 125 class and 550cc in the 250 class. The new regulations resulted in competitors aboard four-strokes made by smaller European manufacturers, with Husqvarna, Husaberg , and KTM winning world championships on four-stroke machinery. In 1997, Yamaha unveiled
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#17327973567266386-909: The chopper motorcycle is the bobber , a solo bike which is created by "bobbing" a factory bike by removing superfluous weight and bodywork from a motorcycle to reduce mass and increase performance. A common element of these motorcycles is a shortened rear fender that creates a "bobbed" look. Power cruiser is a name used to distinguish bikes in the cruiser class that have significantly greater levels of power. They typically have with upgraded brakes and suspensions, better ground clearance, and premium surface finishes, as well as more exotic or non-traditional styling. Although any motorcycle can be equipped and used for touring, touring motorcycles are specifically designed to excel at covering long distances. They have large-displacement engines, fairings and screens that offer good weather and wind protection, large-capacity fuel tanks for long ranges between fill-ups, and
6489-529: The early 1930s, and swinging fork rear suspension appeared by the early 1950s, several years before manufacturers incorporated it in the majority of production street bikes. The period after World War II was dominated by BSA , which had become the largest motorcycle company in the world. BSA riders dominated international competitions throughout the 1940s. In 1952 the FIM , motorcycling's international governing body, set up an individual European Championship using
6592-512: The eastern part of the United States. GNCC racing features many types of obstacles such as, hill climbing, creek and log crossings, dirt roads and wooded trails. The ATV National Motocross Championship was formed around 1985. ATVMX events are hosted at motocross racetracks throughout the United States. ATVMX consists of several groups, including the Pro (AMA Pro) and Amateur (ATVA) series. Championship mud racing (CMR) saw its infancy in 2006 as leaders of
6695-438: The engine, along with windscreens that effectively deflect the air at high speeds away from the rider, thereby minimising overall drag. Sport bikes may have footpegs that are both higher and set further back than on a standard bike, improving ground clearance when cornering and enabling a more prone position for the rider. There may be a long reach to the hand controls, which positions the body and center of gravity forward, above
6798-506: The event changes from year to year. The United States, Belgium and Great Britain have had the greatest success. Th British Motocross Championship is the main UK off-road competition and organised into classes of MX1 and MX2. MX1 is for 250 cc to 450 cc (fourstroke) and MX2 for 175 cc to 250 cc fourstroke motorcycles. In 2007 an additional youth class, the MXY2 class, was added to
6901-464: The event. He also helped the Swedish team score a second place in 1967 500cc Motocross des Nations behind Great Britain. The two competitors continued their rivalry into the 1968 season. The ČZ factory switched Dave Bickers from the 500cc class to the 250cc class and hired 23-year-old Sylvain Geboers to support Robert while Husqvarna retained Håkan Andersson in support of Hallman. Olle Pettersson
7004-590: The fairings removed and higher handlebars replacing the low clip-on handlebars. Since the 1990s, factory streetfighters have been produced. As with naked bike and muscle bike (below), the name streetfighter is used to help clarify the middle ground occupied by designs that blend elements of both sport bikes and standards. Off-road motorcycles , also known as dirt bikes or scramblers , specially designed for off-road use. The term off-road refers to driving surfaces that are not conventionally paved. These are rough surfaces, often created naturally, such as sand, gravel,
7107-443: The feet forward and the hands are up relatively high, so that the spine is erect or leaning back slightly. At low to moderate speeds, cruisers are more comfortable than other styles, but riding for long periods at freeway speeds can lead to fatigue from pulling back on the handlebars to resist the force of the wind against the rider's chest. Cruisers have limited cornering ability due to a lack of ground clearance. Choppers are
7210-402: The first moto of the 1977 500cc Luxembourg Grand Prix and ended the season ranked 9th in the final world championship standings. After his racing career, he began to sell motocross pants and gloves at the races to help supplement his income. Innovative Hallman racing products were available in the mid-1970s via catalogue, and were very popular throughout the United States. This eventually led to
7313-511: The first non-European competitor to win a motocross world championship and, in 1982 Brad Lackey became the first individual American motocross world champion. From the late 1970s to early 1990s, Japanese motorcycle manufacturers presided over a boom period in motocross technology. The typical air-cooled two-strokes with twin-shock rear suspension and telescopic front forks gave way to water-cooled engines and single-shock absorber rear suspension and "upside-down" (or inverted) front forks. Although
7416-597: The formation of THOR Motocross (Torsten Hallman Original Racewear). THOR grew to become one of the leading off-road racing apparel companies in the world. Hallman eventually sold the company to the LeMans Corporation in the late 1990s. Hallman ended his riding career with 37 Grand Prix victories, five Trophée des Nations victories (1963, 1964, 1966, 1967, 1968), four 250cc motocross world titles (1962, 1963, 1966, 1967} and four 250cc Swedish national motocross championships (1961, 1962, 1963, 1965). In 2000, Hallman
7519-451: The former Czechoslovakia, Bultaco from Spain and Greeves from England became popular due to their lightness and agility. A significant moment in motocross history occurred during the 1963 FIM Motocross World Championship when ČZ factory rider Vlastimil Valek rode a 263cc two-stroke motorcycle to win the first moto of the 500cc Czechoslovakian Motocross Grand Prix ahead of a field of top-class, four stroke motorcycles. The victory marked
7622-476: The fuel tank. The rider leans forward into the wind, the force of which may support the rider's weight at high speeds. However, at lower speeds a rider may experience excessive weight on the arms and wrists, causing fatigue. Muscle bike is a nickname for a motorcycle type, derived from a sport bike design, that puts a disproportionately high priority on engine power. Streetfighters are derived from sport bikes, originally being customized sport bikes with
7725-492: The ground when they lean to negotiate curves. These include Honda's Gyro range, all of which have a front wheel that leans and a pair of rear wheels that do not, and the Piaggio MP3 , which has two front wheels and a single rear wheel, all of which lean. The Yamaha Niken is also a tilting three wheeler but has smaller track width such that it is considered a motorcycle by some authorities. Torsten Hallman Hallman
7828-513: The kind of acrobatic off-road riding performed by Hallman. Hallman's first trip to the United States was a success and is credited with igniting the growth of motocross in North America. Motorcycle Hall of Fame member, Dick Mann , who rode against Hallman in 1966, declared after Hallman's visit to the United States, “Nothing affected the sport so much in my lifetime as the Europeans coming to America!” Husqvarna doubled its racing budget over
7931-464: The late 1970s and early 1980s, but their popularity has fallen off sharply since the mid-1980s. In response to rising fuel prices in the first decade of the 2000s, U.S. scooter and moped ridership saw a resurgence. Sales of motorcycles and scooters declined 43.2% in 2009, and continued to decrease in the first quarter of 2010, with scooter sales doing worst, down 13.3% compared to a 4.6% drop for all two-wheelers. Other types of small motorcycles include
8034-518: The main categories within these classifications, but other classification schemes may also include these types of motorcycles. Nevertheless, there are strict classification systems enforced by competitive motorcycle sport sanctioning bodies, or legal definitions of a motorcycle established by certain legal jurisdictions for motorcycle registration , emissions , road traffic safety rules or motorcyclist licensing . There are also informal classifications or nicknames used by manufacturers, riders, and
8137-492: The market. Standard motorcycles (also called roadsters , or naked bikes ) are street motorcycles that conform to a stereotypical image of a motorcycle, with an exposed engine and fuel tank above it. Standard bikes typically have neither fairings nor windscreens as OEM attachments (hence the modern usage naked bikes ). With handlebars that are set neither high nor low, and footpegs placed neither forward nor "rear-set", standards give an upright rider posture (in-between
8240-486: The more prestigious 500cc class. He also believed it was pointless to compete with Rolf Tibblin in 500 class. The FIM upgraded the European Motocross Championship to World Championship status for the 1962 season . The Greeves factory chose not to compete in the new championship, keeping two-time European motocross champion, Dave Bickers, at home to compete in the British championship. Given
8343-698: The motorcycling media. Some experts do not recognize sub-types, like naked bike, that "purport to be classified" outside the usual classes, because they fit within one of the main types and are recognizable only by cosmetic changes. Street motorcycles are motorcycles designed for being ridden on paved roads. They have smooth tires with tread patterns and engines generally in the 125 cc (7.6 cu in) and over range. Typically, street motorcycles are capable of speeds up to 100 mph (160 km/h), and many of speeds in excess of 125 mph (201 km/h). Street motorcycles powered by electric motors are becoming more common, with firms like Harley-Davidson entering
8446-477: The necessary upgrades and modifications to build a competitive pit bike. Of course, a rider could also buy a used bike. Since 2004, manufacturers like Thumpstar have begun designing, manufacturing, importing, and selling already complete pit bikes. These bikes are less expensive, and require less time to complete. Pit bikes are powered by 4-stroke, horizontal, single-cylinder engines ranging anywhere in displacement from 49 cc to 195 cc. A typical pit bike
8549-617: The passenger. This is reflected in most in the Swedish term for passenger, burkslav , roughly translated as trunk/barrel-slave. This name comes from the early sidecars which resembled road motorcycle sidecars and not today's platform. The major frame builders today are VMC, BSU, AYR, EML and Woodenleg. Ordinary engines can be used, but size matters and two engines purpose built for sidecars exist, Zabel (Germany) and MTH (Austria) are most common. Four-strokes are becoming more common, usually KTM (Austria). Pit bikes are small motorbikes that participants in powersports events use to ride around
8652-496: The pavement and dirt. Some tracks for these race events have jumps, berms, and whoops like motocross tracks. For special events, the Supermoto track may incorporate metal ramps for jumps that can be disassembled and taken to other locations. Supermoto races may take place at modified go-kart tracks, road racing tracks, or even street racing tracks. There are also classes for children, such as the 85 cc class. Supermoto began in
8755-406: The pits, which are the staging areas where team support vehicles are located. More recently, they have been used in races held on either supercross or motocross tracks. Numerous performance and aesthetic upgrades are often applied to pit bikes. Originally, there was only one way to acquire a pit bike. A rider would buy a child's minibike, usually a Honda CRF110 or Kawasaki KLX110, and apply all
8858-491: The previous year, with riders Håkan Andersson , Olle Pettersson and Staffan Eneqvist joining Hallman on the 250cc team, while Jonsson moved up to the 500cc class. Hallman and Robert were once again the main protagonists in the battle for the 1967 250cc motocross World Championship. As with the previous year, the two rivals traded victories throughout the season. After eight of twelve rounds, Robert had won four Grand Prix races to Hallman's three however, Robert failed to finish in
8961-656: The programme at selected rounds. A "Veterans" series was introduced in 2009 with just two rounds but the demand for places was so high that from 2011 the Veterans series will have three rounds, held over six races. A number of other types of motorcycle sport have been derived from Motocross. Supercross is a cycle racing sport involving specialized high-performance off-road motorcycles on constructed dirt tracks with steep jumps and obstacles. Compared to regular motocross, supercross tracks generally have much shorter straights and tighter turns. Professional supercross races, held as
9064-405: The rim with a rim lock . Many competitive events have emerged and developed into a variety of off-road motorcycle sports , for which a number of specialized motorcycles have been built: Dual-purpose motorcycles , sometimes called dual-sport, on/off-road motorcycles, or adventure motorcycles, are street legal machines that are also designed to enter off-road situations. Typically based on
9167-439: The same rules as men's 250cc. Race events take place over two motos of 30 minutes plus two laps each. The annual Motocross des Nations is held at the end of the year when National and World Championship series have ended. The competition involves teams of three riders representing their nations. Each rider competes in a different class (MX1, MX2, and "Open"). There are three motos with two classes competing per moto. The location of
9270-434: The season. Dave Bickers claimed the championship for the Greeves factory while Hallman was ranked seventh in the 250cc European Championship final classification. Hallman began the 1961 season with a string of top five results before winning his first overall victory at the 1961 250cc Finnish Grand Prix. He improved to fourth in the 1961 250cc European Motocross Championship, with Bickers repeating as champion. Hallman
9373-490: The semi-recumbent cruiser and the forward crouch of a sport bike). A standard's relationship between footpegs, handlebars and seat gives the rider a comfortable and natural posture. The comfort, ease of control, and safety of standard bikes means that beginner motorcyclists inevitably learn on standard motorcycles; and many experienced riders choose to continue riding this motorcycle type. Cruiser motorcycles (or simply cruisers ) are styled after American motorcycles from
9476-669: The specific needs of each user, such as standard , cruiser , touring , sports , off-road , dual-purpose , scooters , etc. Often, some types like sport touring are considered as an additional category or integrated with touring . There is no universal system for classifying all types of motorcycles. However, some authors argue that there are generally six categories recognized by most motorcycle manufacturers and organizations, making clear distinctions between these six main types and other motorcycles. For example, scooters, mopeds, underbones, minibikes, pocket bikes, electric bikes, and three-wheeled motorcycles are often excluded from
9579-435: The sport bike category, with V-twins and parallel twins having a significant presence; and most other engine configurations appear in small numbers at times. High-performance braking systems may use upgraded brake pads, multi-piston calipers and larger vented rotors. Sports bike suspension systems may be more sophisticated, with greater adjustments for compression and rebound. Sport bikes have fairings to completely enclose
9682-580: The three of the final four rounds, allowing Hallman to overtake him with a victory at the penultimate round in Russia and claim his fourth world championship by a slim two point margin. The two rivals dominated the championship with five Grand Prix victories apiece. Hallman continued his success at the Trophée des Nations event in 1967, when he was once again the top scoring rider helping the Swedish team take top honors for their fourth victory in five years at
9785-534: The top six finishing positions. A motorcycle sales boom in the United States fueled by the Baby Boomer generation, helped to spark a growth in the popularity of motocross among young Americans. Japanese motorcycle manufacturers began challenging the European factories for supremacy in the motocross world by the late 1960s. Suzuki claimed the first world championship for a Japanese factory when Joël Robert won
9888-411: The trade name Monoshock, helped Håkan Andersson win the 1973 250cc motocross world championship for Yamaha and would go on to revolutionize the sport. Hallman collaborated with former world champions Bengt Åberg and Sten Lundin in developing a highly modified four stroke Yamaha XT500 , which Åberg raced in the 1977 FIM Motocross World Championship season . Åberg rode the bike to a victory in
9991-422: The ČZ factory support to win 9 of the 14 Grand Prix races to claim the world championship ahead of second-placed Hallman. Hallman was once again the top scoring rider at the 1964 Trophée des Nations, as the Swedish team took top honors for the second consecutive year. In 1965, Hallman was completing his senior year in college and the heavy workload meant he had to reduce his racing schedule, yet he still managed
10094-400: Was a member of a victorious Swedish team at the 1968 Trophée des Nations event for the fifth and final time in his career. He also helped the Swedish team score a second place in 1969 500cc Motocross des Nations behind Belgium. After he was slowed by a back injury, his results suffered and he was released by the Husqvarna factory team after the 1969 season. In 1971 , Hallman was hired by
10197-480: Was established and the first races were held in 2008. Currently, the CMR schedule includes eight competition dates spanning from March to November. Points are awarded throughout the season in several different competition classes of ATV and SxS Mud Racing. The 2008 year included Mud Bog and Mudda-Cross competitions, but the 2009 and future seasons will only have Mudda-Cross competitions. Classes range from 0 to 499 cc, to
10300-588: Was hired from Husqvarna by the Suzuki factory to help develop their new motocross bike. After Robert won three consecutive Grand Prix races in France, Holland and West Germany to take the early points lead, Hallman then won three races in Russia, Yugoslavia and Sweden to tie Robert for the championship points lead as they went into the final round in Austria. Hallman took the lead in the first heat race and had built
10403-492: Was improved. The new front forks were also developed and produced in-house. Defending champion Arbekov began the 1966 season with a victory at the Spanish Grand Prix, however he was injured in a serious crash at the second round in France and did not return until the 14th round. Despite Arbekov's absence, Hallman still had to fend off ČZ riders Robert and Petr Dobry. Hallman and Robert traded wins back and forth in
10506-432: Was part of a contingent of Swedish motorcyclists including; Bill Nilsson , Rolf Tibblin and Sten Lundin who dominated the sport of motocross in the early 1960s. His battles with Belgium's Joël Robert were considered some of the best in the history of the championships. Between 1964 and 1968, the pair finished first or second to one another in the world championship four times. After his racing career, he established
10609-427: Was the top points scorer at 1961 Trophée des Nations, helping the Swedish team place second behind the British team. The Husqvarna company had been making motorcycles since 1903, but in the early 1960s, the company almost stopped motorcycle production as demand had decreased. Husqvarna had informed Hallman that their motorcycle development would stop and that he should seek employment elsewhere. After he had arranged
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