2008 RSD 450 SuperSingles Photo Gallery

The days of small-bore GP racing are history... Or are they?

The master of sport/cruiser fusion in the custom realm, former AMA 250GP champ Roland Sands (above) has turned his talents toward blending the off-road and road-racing worlds in the form of his new SuperSingles.

Grand Prix bikes are all about corner speed and the 450 SuperSingles are no different. At full lean, the bikes are solid and provided us with quite a bit of feedback through the handlebars and seat.

We got an opportunity to test the new RSD SuperSingles on the tight, hilly Horsethief Mile at Willow Springs International Raceway.

Placing a leg over the diminutive machines reveal a compact yet reasonably comfortable cockpit.

Tubeless aluminum wheels replace the MX stockers, with the Kawasaki and Honda (above) utilizing RSD "Assault" wheels out back.

Roland Sands, a former AMA 250cc Grand Prix champion himself, not only knows how to throw down fast lap times on a road racer but is also renowned for inventing new motorcycle categories which synergize artistic aesthetics and racetrack-bred performance.

Placing a leg over the diminutive machines reveal a compact yet reasonably comfortable cockpit.

Each one of the three bikes featured unique setups consisting of either stock streetbike parts, aftermarket race bits or both.

While a spot in the 2009 AMA Superbike rotation may be the ultimate goal, for 2008 a 10-race SuperSingle series will be sanctioned by WERA..

Based off 450 motocrossers, the new Roland Sands designed 450 SuperSingles may be running at a racetrack near you in the years to come.

The secret to the SuperSingle's success is in its easy handling and high corner speeds.

Powered by a 450cc Single a rider won't be fooled into thinking they are on a Supersport or Superbike, but the new RSD SuperSingle build the revs quick and a rider can push it into the triple digits on the straights.

Suspension is a hybrid blend of both street and dirt with the Honda featuring an aftermarket CBR1000RR Ohlins front end, whereas the Kawasaki and Suzuki utilize stock ZX-6R and GSX-R setups respectively.

Could the SuperSingle be a new entry-level support class in the AMA Superbike series?

The goal with the SuperSingle is to provide an affordable entry-level ride for aspiring racers. RSD is already accepting order for a turn-key racer based off the Yamaha WR450.

The clip-on handlebars are low and repositioned foot controls are tucked up and rearward, equating to a riding position which shows no signs of its prior life.

The lightweight SuperSingle is easy to toss from side to side and our tester was on his knee so often he felt like a pixilized XBOX character in a racing game.

With the combination of sub 270-pound (fully-fueled) weight and the large contact patch provided by the 120/70 front Dunlop racing slick, trail braking at lean all through the corner is ridiculously simple.

Strip off the fairing and the SuperSingle's motocross origins are apparent, with the dirtbike's geometry surprisingly similar to current road racing platforms.