What Are the Different Motocross Classes? MX, SX, Amateur, Kids & More - Risk Racing
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What Are the Different Motocross Classes? MX, SX, Amateur, Kids & More

October 13, 2020 7 Comments

What Are the Different Motocross Classes? MX, SX, Amateur, Kids & More - Risk Racing

Whether you are thinking about starting MX racing or watching motocross and supercross on TV, you are going to need to know the different categories and classes so that you can follow along with the action.

Motocross racers are divided into many different classes to put similar racers together and create equal opportunity. This is done primarily by the size of the engine in the dirt bike and by the age of the rider. Some of the larger classes are further broken down into ability levels of A B C and D. 

For some explanation of the different ways racers are broken down into classes, check out the next section. However, if you are just here for some hard data about the class names in specific race series, then just scroll ahead to the tables.


 

Classes Quick Guide:

Motocross Classes

Supercross Classes

450 MX

450 SX

250 MX

250 SX West & 250 SX East

Women’s MX

Women’s SX

 

Motocross/Supercross Number Plate Color Classifications:

450 / 250 2-stroke Class

Classes below the 450s

Modified B Class

Current Points Leader

White with black numbers

Black with white numbers

Yellow with black numbers

Red background with white numbers




 

What Are the Dirt Bike Racing Classes?

Imagine for a moment that you are an established track owner and race promoter and you are going to hold a major race. You are expecting hundreds of racers to show up for this event and you know that it will bring in a very diverse crowd of riders.

You will have the 7-18 year old demographic that wants to be the nextEli Tomac or Ricky Carmichael and are probably ripping a 65cc up to a 250F. Even though these riders have the same goals, and potentially some share similar skill levels, it is not logical to place them in the same class.

A racer's abilities are categorized by using a scale of A, B, C, and D. 

  • A is reserved for racers at the pro level
  • B is the intermediate group
  • C is the junior level
  • D is the beginner group

The naming conventions used above aren't as important as remembering that the A designation at the end of a class means that’s the best of that engine/age class and everything after A is progressively easier. Some races do not have enough riders for both a C and D class, which results in combining the classes and the C class becomes the beginner class.

As we’re already on the topic of class variation and add-on designators I should mention you will also see words like ‘limited’ added onto the back of some classes. Limited means that you are required to keep your bike basically bone stock. You can update the livery and muffler on your bike, but no engine or power enhancements are permitted.

Also showing up on a day of motocross races will be a large group of younger riders and kids of all ages. Because of how different each kid can be during those growing years the classification options are very large. This is also because there is a diverse field of bike sizes and engine sizes for those younger riders.

You will find classifications groups like Peewee, Schoolboy, and College for age groups and also class names like 65cc and 85cc that are more specific to the bike size/capabilities. See the class list below for the full youth category names.

Another large group of riders will be the older crowd, and in motocross, everyone over 25 is considered a veteran rider. There are many categories for riders twenty-five and over that are referred to as the Plus, Senior, and Master classes. These groups can include 25+, 30+, 40+, 45+, 50+, 55+, and 60+ classes.

What about the ladies?

Much like the other classes, there are specific classifications for the women racers as well. The girls have a couple of age groups for the younger riders and then all major competitions will have a Women’s MX category or will compete in an Amateur category.

The sport of motocross happens to be a more male-dominant sport, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t opportunities for women. With the sport being less popular among women, the need for several classes is not there. There is an open Women’s class for the females 14+, and a Girl’s class for the females between the ages of 11-16.

The unique thing about motocross is the girls still have every chance the guys do! They can race in every class the men and boys race in. 



 

Official Race Series and their Class Breakdowns

FIM Motocross World Championship Classes

Class

Engine/Motor Size & Type

Number Plate Colors

MXGP

175cc - 250cc  for  2-stroke, 290cc - 450cc  for  4-stroke 

White background & black numbers

MX2

100cc - 125cc  for  2-stroke, 175cc - 250cc  for  4-stroke 

Black background & white numbers

MXW Women

122cc - 250cc

Blue background & white numbers

 

 

AMA Motocross Championship Classes

Adult

Class

Engine/Motor Size & Type

450cc

150cc - 250cc  for  2-stroke, 250cc - 450cc  for  4-stroke

250cc

0cc - 125cc  for  2-stroke, 50cc - 250cc  for  4-stroke

Women's

122cc - 250cc

Youth

Class

Engine/Motor Size & Type

Wheel Size / Specs

Limited Peewee Jr. (4-6 yrs.)

0cc - 51cc two or four- stroke

36” max wheelbase, 10” max wheel size, 14mm intake

Limited Peewee Sr. (7-8 yrs.)

0cc - 51cc two or four-stroke

41” max wheelbase, 12” max wheel size, 19mm intake

Limited Peewee (4-8 yrs.)

0cc - 51cc two-stroke

36” max wheelbase, 10” max wheel size, 12mm intake, 22” max seat height 

Limited Peewee (4-8 yrs.)

0cc - 51cc two or four-stroke

38” max wheelbase, 10” max wheel size, 13mm intake, 22” max seat height

65cc (7 - 9 yrs.)

59cc - 65cc 2-stroke

12-14” front wheel, 45” max wheelbase

65cc (7 - 11 yrs.)

59cc - 65cc 2-stroke

12-14” front wheel, 45” max wheelbase

65cc (10 - 11 yrs.)

59cc - 65cc 2-stroke

12-14” front wheel, 45” max wheelbase

85cc (9 - 11 yrs.)

79cc - 85cc 2-stroke

17” max front wheel, 12” - 16” rear wheel, 51” max wheelbase

85cc

(12 - 13 yrs.)

79cc - 85cc 2-stroke

17” max front wheel, 12” - 16” rear wheel, 51” max wheelbase

85cc (14 - 15 yrs.)

79cc - 85cc 2-stroke

17” max front wheel, 12” - 16” rear wheel, 51” max wheelbase

Supermini (12 - 16 yrs.)

79cc - 112cc 2-stroke or 75cc - 150cc 4-stroke

19” max front wheel, 16” max rear wheel, 52” max wheelbase

Schoolboy 1 (12 - 16 yrs.)

86cc - 125cc 2-stroke or 75cc - 150cc 4-stroke

19” min. front wheel, 16” min. rear wheel

Schoolboy 2 (12 - 17 yrs.)

122cc - 150cc 2-stroke or 126cc - 250cc 4-stroke

53” min. wheelbase, no mini or supermini

Girls Junior(9 - 12 yrs.)

59cc - 85cc 2-stroke

17” max front wheel, 12”-16” rear wheel, 51” max wheelbase

Girls Senior(12 - 16 yrs.)

79cc - 112cc 2-stroke or 75cc-150cc 4-stroke

19” max front wheel, 16” max rear wheel, 52” max wheelbase

Mini-E Jr.(4 - 6 yrs.)

1kWh Electric motor

12” max wheel size, 41” max wheelbase, 25” max seat height

Mini-E Sr.(7 - 8 yrs.)

1.5kWh Electric motor

12” max wheel size, 41” max wheelbase, 28” max seat height

 

Amateur Classes and Age Groups


Class

Engine/Motor Size & Type

125cc

122cc - 125cc 2-stroke only

250cc

122cc - 250cc

14 - 24 yrs.

122cc - open

Open

122cc - open

Vet 25+

122cc - open

Vet 30+

122cc - open

Vet 35+

122cc - open

Senior 40+

122cc - open

Senior 45+

122cc - open

Senior 50+

122cc - open

Senior 55+

122cc - open

Senior 60+

122cc - open

Women (12+)

99cc - 250cc

 

British Motocross Championship Classes

Adult

Class

Engine/Motor Size & Type

Number Plate Colors

MX1

175cc to 500cc 2-stroke or 251cc to 450cc 4-stroke

Black background & white numbers

MX2

120cc - 250cc 2-stroke,  175cc - 250cc 4-stroke, or 16kW max electric motor

White background & black numbers

Youth

Class

Engine/Motor Size & Type

Wheel Size / Specs

E4 (4-7 yrs.)

1.5kW max electric motor

10” front wheel, 10” rear wheel

Automatic (6-8 yrs.)

49cc - 50cc or 8kW max electric motor, single-speed automatic only

15” front wheel, 12” max rear wheel

65cc Junior (7-10 yrs.)

60cc - 65cc 2-stroke, 85 - 110cc 4-stroke, or 12kW max electric motor

14” front wheel, 12” rear wheel

85cc Small Wheel (9-12 yrs.)

70cc - 85cc 2-stroke, 125cc - 150cc 4-stroke

17” front wheel, 14” rear wheel

85cc Big Wheel (11-14 yrs.)

70cc - 85cc 2-stroke, 125cc - 150cc 4-stroke

19” front wheel, 16” rear wheel

125cc (13-17 yrs)

120cc - 125cc 2-stroke

21” front wheel, 19” rear wheel

125/250f (14-17 yrs)

120cc - 150cc 2-stroke, 175cc - 250cc 4-stroke

21” front wheel, 19” rear wheel





 

Related Questions

What Are the Different Types of Dirt Bike Racing?

Motocross (MX), Supercross (SX), Arenacross (AX), Enduro (GNCC) (WORCS) (GP), Endurocross, Trials, Hare Scrambles, Hare & Hounds, Hill Climbs, Ice Races, and Freestyle (FMX).

What is the Schoolboy Class in Motocross?

This class is referring to younger riders that are between 12 and 16 years of age.

What is the Difference in Motocross and Supercross?

Motocross is held on an outdoor open course and Supercross is held inside a large arena like a baseball or football stadium.

7 Responses

Risk Racing
Risk Racing

September 27, 2022

Hey Luke,

There are a few options you could pursue, on your current bike or jumping up to a 125CC. If you feel most comfortable on your Super Mini then you should definitely do what feels most comfortable, and fastest! However, you would be fine to continue racing that bike. Most 125CC open classes don’t have any age limit and allow 100CC two strokes to line up with 125CCs and 250 four strokes. You’ll be at a power disadvantage but there are ways of making that up as I’m sure you’ve learned by now 😉. Another option you could look into to open up more race class options is moving up to a 125CC two-stroke dirt bike. And then doing some suspension mods to lower the bike to make it more comfortable for you.

Hopefully, that helps!

Luke ledger
Luke ledger

September 27, 2022

Hey,
I’m turning 17 but I’m on the shorter side, at 5’5. If I’m looking to stay in racing can I race a 100cc 2 stroke? I was in the 85s a few years back. Would this be possible or would I have to jump to a 125cc?

Risk Racing
Risk Racing

June 29, 2022

Tyler, It’s definitely possible, however, it would depend on the specific series you’re competing in. Some race organizations have 450C and 450B open classes which doesn’t restrict by age. While other organizations will have will divide the 450C and 450B classes by age. Such as 20+ 450C/20+ 450B or Schoolboy and College boy classes.

Tyler Green
Tyler Green

June 29, 2022

If you are 25+ Is it possible moving into the 450C or 450B class?

Anonymous
Anonymous

May 19, 2022

Hey Mike,
Glad to hear you’re out there rockin’ it at 67! It sounds like you will want to look for the Senior 60+ class.

Mike
Mike

May 19, 2022

What class would I sign up for? I have only been riding for 3 years. I’m 67 years old riding a 450 honda. I have entered 2 races over the 3 year period, finishing last a both BUT I enjoyed being part of them. Please advise.

Thank you,
Mike

Dominique Salaam
Dominique Salaam

March 24, 2021

What class would I be considered? I’m 27 on April 30th and I’m going to be getting my first bike soon a,
Honda CRF250 I’ll be competing soon! @Canyon Raceway

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