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

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.