Motorbikes have been flooding the modding scene within Assetto Corsa, but are they utilized by the community? Is motorcycle racing a discipline you want to see more of in Assetto Corsa?
Within sim racing, racing normally revolves around battling other cars on race tracks around the globe. However, some people have brought the world of motorbike racing to life. Motorbikes are woefully underrepresented outside of the motorbike-specific titles (like RIDE or MotoGP). But is that for a good reason?
Suzuki GSXR 750 Bike mod.
Some might say yes to that question, after all, it is very hard to simulate a bike when 99% of the racing simulators are set up and designed for cars. However, the trusty gamepad is always there to pick up the pieces and provide a great racing experience for those who prefer their engines to power two wheels instead of four.
Bikes are seen as unnecessary in the modern sim racing space by some. After all, sim racers love realism and racing bikes is hardly realistic on their steering wheels and pedals. However, back when sim racing was more common in arcades than in front rooms, bike sims were just as, if not more, popular.
Honda 750F1 Assetto Corsa mod. Image: hungrysnorlax
Think of the original GRID but on an original arcade machine from when the game was the hottest release. Multiple versions of Fast and Furious racing machines are also commonplace. However, it is the motorbike simulators such as the MotoGP ones pictured below that always regular the arcade forecourts.
MotoGP arcade bike simulators. Image: MotoGP.com
What is the reasoning for this? It is quite simple when you break it down - unique opportunities. Most people can pick up a second-hand Logitech wheel and pedals and compete in any sim title on the market in a matter of hours, but how many people can lean, control and ride a virtual motorbike albeit on a very basic motion sim?
However, outside of the arcades is where bike games fall down. Sim racing is a huge success due to the closeness to reality it can produce, especially in titles like iRacing and ACC that simulate every small detail. Bike titles can not quantify that same level of simulation without something like a leaning motion sim seen in the arcades.
And outside of DIY projects, bike racing simulators are far outnumbered by sim racing rigs aiming to recreate four-wheel-based racing.
What are your thoughts on bikes in sims like Assetto Corsa? Is there a future for the recent wave of mods to hit the sim racing world? Let us know what you think on X @OverTake_gg or down in the comments below!
Within sim racing, racing normally revolves around battling other cars on race tracks around the globe. However, some people have brought the world of motorbike racing to life. Motorbikes are woefully underrepresented outside of the motorbike-specific titles (like RIDE or MotoGP). But is that for a good reason?
Suzuki GSXR 750 Bike mod.
Some might say yes to that question, after all, it is very hard to simulate a bike when 99% of the racing simulators are set up and designed for cars. However, the trusty gamepad is always there to pick up the pieces and provide a great racing experience for those who prefer their engines to power two wheels instead of four.
Bikes are seen as unnecessary in the modern sim racing space by some. After all, sim racers love realism and racing bikes is hardly realistic on their steering wheels and pedals. However, back when sim racing was more common in arcades than in front rooms, bike sims were just as, if not more, popular.
Honda 750F1 Assetto Corsa mod. Image: hungrysnorlax
Editor's Take: A Life in Neon Lights
If you have ever been to a seaside town in the UK, you almost certainly will have seen some of the arcades on offer, like Blackpool Pier and Brighton Pier to name just two. Inside these arcades will be a variety of racing simulators, but not the ones you might be thinking of.Think of the original GRID but on an original arcade machine from when the game was the hottest release. Multiple versions of Fast and Furious racing machines are also commonplace. However, it is the motorbike simulators such as the MotoGP ones pictured below that always regular the arcade forecourts.
MotoGP arcade bike simulators. Image: MotoGP.com
What is the reasoning for this? It is quite simple when you break it down - unique opportunities. Most people can pick up a second-hand Logitech wheel and pedals and compete in any sim title on the market in a matter of hours, but how many people can lean, control and ride a virtual motorbike albeit on a very basic motion sim?
However, outside of the arcades is where bike games fall down. Sim racing is a huge success due to the closeness to reality it can produce, especially in titles like iRacing and ACC that simulate every small detail. Bike titles can not quantify that same level of simulation without something like a leaning motion sim seen in the arcades.
And outside of DIY projects, bike racing simulators are far outnumbered by sim racing rigs aiming to recreate four-wheel-based racing.
What are your thoughts on bikes in sims like Assetto Corsa? Is there a future for the recent wave of mods to hit the sim racing world? Let us know what you think on X @OverTake_gg or down in the comments below!