AMA Pro Road Racing

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AMA Pro National Guard American Superbike presented by Parts Unlimited

AMA Pro American Superbike – Quick Look

  • Top Speed: Over 190 mph
  • Eligible Bikes: Buell 1125R, Honda CBR1000RR, Kawasaki ZX-10, Yamaha R1, Suzuki GSX-R1000, Aprilia RSV1000R, Ducati 1098R
  • Minimum Weights: 375 – 390 lbs.
  • Fuel: Sunoco 260GTX
  • Tires: Dunlop KR106 (Front: 125/80R-17) and KR108 (195/65R-17)
  • Race Lengths: 50-mile sprints
  • Riders to Watch: Mat Mladin, Ben Bostrom, Josh Hayes, Tommy Hayden, Aaron Yates, Geoff May, Larry Pegram, Blake Young, Aaron Gobert, Neil Hodgson

The Superbike class has been the centerpiece of major-league motorcycle racing in the United States for nearly 30 years and the tradition continues in 2009 with the AMA Pro National Guard American Superbike class. American Superbike will co-headline AMA Pro Road Racing weekends with the AMA Pro Daytona SportBike class and will also race as the featured support event for the MotoGP event at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on July 4th weekend.

American Superbikes all have direct roots to production street bikes and, not surprisingly, each eligible model represents the most powerful motorcycle available from top manufacturers such as Suzuki, Honda, Yamaha, Aprilia, Buell, Ducati and others. The big-bore bikes all produce at least 1000cc in engine displacement from a variety of twin and multi-cylinder powerplants. Four-cylinder, four-stroke machines have a minimum post-race weight of 375 pounds and are limited to 1000cc engines, such as the Suzuki GSX-R1000, Honda CBR1000RR and Yamaha R1. Two-cylinder, four-stroke machines must tip the scales at a minimum post-race weight of 390 pounds but can exceed 1000cc in displacement, such as the Buell 1125CR and Ducati 1098R.


The real proof of the power of American Superbikes comes on the track where top speeds in excess of 190 mph are not uncommon. Keeping that type of power on the track is critical in addition to being able to rely on the brakes to slow the high-powered machines in a matter of seconds. Dunlop and its proven racing tires are the series-standard application for American Superbike and all other AMA Pro Road Racing classes but competitors can use a variety of aftermarket wheels and brake products. Front wheel size is 17 by 3.5 inches and the rear wheel size is 17 by 6 inches for all machines. The use of carbon fiber or carbon-composite material for wheels or brake components is not allowed and titanium brake discs are also outlawed, but American Superbikes can still stop on a dime. Sunoco 260GTX premium racing fuel is the exclusive standard for all AMA Pro Road Racing. In American Superbike, the fuel tank may be modified or replaced, provided that it maintains the stock appearance and holds enough gas to complete a 50-mile race.

As impressive as the machines are in AMA Pro American Superbike, it is the all-star lineup of riders that put on the show. Reigning Champion Ben Spies has moved on to World Superbike competition, but plenty of other star power is ready for action in 2009. The list includes six-time Superbike Champion Mat Mladin, 1998 Champion Ben Bostrom, Josh Hayes, Tommy Hayden, Aaron Yates, Geoff May, Larry Pegram, Blake Young, Aaron Gobert, Neil Hodgson and many more.

Most American Superbike event weekends feature dual races on Saturday and Sunday with team support purse money based on a competitor’s combined finishing record in both rounds.