A Bosnia Enduro Trip for Beginners: What You Need to Know

How much experience do you need?

You should be in confident control of your motorcycle and have ridden on gravel, forest tracks or loose surfaces before – for example on an off-road training course or on gravel sections during a holiday. You don't need to jump, master trials technique or have racing experience.

Fitness matters more than technique: several consecutive riding days of 200 to 300 kilometres, a large share of them off-road, are physically demanding. Fit riders ride more safely and have more fun.

Rally or Classic: choosing the right route

On the Bosnia Marathon there are two GPX tracks for every riding day: a longer, more technical Rally route and an easier Classic route that's well suited to beginners and big adventure bikes. Individual difficult sections can also be bypassed on tarmac.

You decide afresh every morning – and once you feel confident after the first few days, you can switch to the Rally route. There's no timekeeping and no ranking.

Which motorcycle is suitable?

On gravel, lighter is almost always better. Sport enduros and light adventure bikes such as the Yamaha Ténéré 700, KTM 690 or Honda CRF 300 L are ideal. But you can also take part on a big adventure bike such as a BMW GS or Honda Africa Twin – ideally on the Classic route.

The motorcycle must be road-legal, insured and in sound mechanical condition. If you'd rather not bring your own bike, you can ask about an all-in package with a rental motorcycle (Honda CRF 300 L Rally) for the Bosnia Marathon.

Tyres and mechanics

• Knobbly off-road tyres are a must – on road tyres, gravel quickly becomes dangerous.
• Fit new or nearly new tyres: 1,500 kilometres of gravel and tarmac wear tyres much faster than road riding.
• Crash bars, a bash plate and hand guards protect the bike when it goes over.
• Have the brakes, chain, bearings and air filter checked before you leave.
• Bring an on-board tool kit and puncture repair kit, and know how to fix a flat.

Riding technique: five tips for gravel

• Ride standing up: standing lowers your centre of gravity, lets you balance the bike better and absorb bumps with your legs.
• Look far ahead: keep your eyes on where you want to go – not on the obstacle.
• Stay relaxed: arms slightly bent, don't grip the bars too tightly, and let the bike move underneath you.
• Brake smoothly: on loose surfaces, use the rear brake more and the front brake with care.
• Adjust your tyre pressure: slightly lower pressure gives more grip – ask on site for the right figures for your bike.

Off-road training before the tour

The best way to build confidence is training. For the Bosnia Marathon, we organise off-road training at no extra cost with an experienced motorcycle instructor who has trained more than 16,000 riders since the mid-1990s. The training starts three days before the event, and the instructor also accompanies the group during the six riding days.

Navigation and safety

You ride independently using GPX tracks, alone or in small groups. You'll receive the tracks by email in advance, and at registration the team will help you load them onto your GPS or smartphone. Throughout all riding days you're tracked with an OWAKA GPS tracker, and an emergency team is out on the route. This matters especially in Bosnia, because you must not ride cross-country away from known routes – more on this in Off-road in Bosnia: rules and landmines.

Packing list for your enduro trip

• Off-road-ready motorcycle gear with armour, plus enduro or adventure boots
• Rain suit and a warm layer – it can get chilly in the highlands even in June
• Hydration pack holding at least two litres
• GPS or smartphone with mount and charging cable
• On-board tools, tyre repair kit, cable ties and duct tape
• Personal medication and a small first-aid kit

Frequently asked questions