Motorcycles
The Honda Africa Twin is widely seen as one of the more off-road-capable large adventure bikes. On Bosnia's gravel roads, karst tracks and forest trails it can do a lot – as long as the rider, tyres and load are right. Even so, it's far heavier than a dual-sport, and you'll feel that on the first rocky descent.
This guide covers what to consider about version and transmission, which techniques help on loose surfaces, how to plan luggage and tyres, and which route on the Bosnia Marathon suits you and your Africa Twin.
The standard version is more compact and usually feels nimbler off-road. The Adventure Sports is geared more towards long-distance touring, with features such as a larger tank and more wind protection. With a full tank that means more weight – noticeable when manoeuvring, in tight hairpins and when picking the bike up.
For Bosnia, both versions work well. What matters is that you know your bike, can reach the controls comfortably when standing and can hold it securely at a standstill. Check Honda's documentation for the exact figures for your model year.
With a manual gearbox you control slow sections with a slipping clutch – familiar territory if you've ridden enduro before. The DCT takes the clutch out of the equation. Many riders like that they can focus entirely on line, throttle and rear brake, and stalling on steep pitches is no longer an issue.
DCT does take practice: without a clutch lever, slow riding is managed with a smooth throttle and the rear brake. Your owner's manual explains which modes and off-road settings your Africa Twin has and how ABS and traction control behave in them. Try everything on a safe patch of gravel before the trip.
Heavy luggage carried high and far back – a full top box, a heavy roll bag – makes any adventure bike sluggish and nervous. On gravel it amplifies weaving and pushing through the front. On the Bosnia Marathon that's not an issue: the base is Hotel Adria Ski in Kupres, every stage returns there, and vehicles and trailers can stay on site. Your main luggage stays at the base; on the stages you only carry the essentials for one night in Bihać, Sarajevo or Neum.
For what still needs to come with you, see the Bosnia off-road motorcycle tour packing list. Pack heavy items low and close to the centre of gravity, for example in the side bags. Knobbly off-road tyres are a requirement – ideally new or nearly new, as around 1,500 km of gravel and tarmac wear the tread hard.
On the Bosnia Marathon you choose between two GPX tracks every day: the longer, more technical Rally route and the easier Classic route, which is recommended for beginners and large adventure bikes. Individual sections can also be bypassed on tarmac.
If you haven't done much off-road riding on your Africa Twin, start with the Classic route. Experienced riders who handle their bike confidently on rocks and in water crossings can take on the Rally route – you decide each morning, and there's no timing. Navigation is by GPX track; our guide to GPS navigation on an off-road motorcycle tour explains how to get the files onto your device.
Yes. With knobbly tyres, light luggage and some experience on loose surfaces it handles Bosnia's tracks well. It's explicitly welcome on the Bosnia Marathon.
Not as such. You can't stall the engine, but you need to learn to control slow riding with throttle and rear brake. Practise before the trip.
For most riders, the Classic route, which is recommended for large adventure bikes. Experienced off-road riders can choose the Rally route.
No. Your main luggage stays at the base in Kupres. On the stages you only need what you'll use for a single overnight stay.
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