Preparing a KTM for an Off-Road Tour in Bosnia

Which KTM suits which route?

The EXC is a sport enduro with racing DNA: light, extremely capable off-road and in its element on the Rally route. The 690 Enduro sits in between – enough range and comfort for long stages yet still slim in the rough. The big Adventure models shine on gravel and on the tarmac links between sections.

The Classic route is recommended for large adventure bikes and off-road beginners, and an asphalt option lets you bypass individual sections. It is not a race and there is no timing, so you can decide each morning which route suits you and your bike.

Servicing before you travel

An EXC is designed for short competition use and needs servicing far more often than an adventure bike. Check your model's maintenance schedule and do the maths: if an oil change or valve check falls within the tour week, do it beforehand or bring oil and a filter for a change on the road. For a 690 or an Adventure, a thorough inspection is usually enough, provided the next service is not due mid-tour.

• Fresh engine oil and filter, coolant checked
• Air filter cleaned and oiled – plus a clean spare for dusty days
• Chain and sprockets: replace them at home rather than improvise in Neum
• Brake pads with plenty of material left, brake fluid not past its best
• Wheel bearings, steering head bearings, spoke tension and suspension checked
• Battery, connectors and lights – you need them on road sections too

Fuel range: around 250 km per riding day

1,500 km spread over six riding days works out at roughly 250 km a day, and the Rally route is often longer. Fuel consumption rises noticeably off-road, and petrol stations in the highlands can be far apart. Know your real off-road range, not the brochure figure.

With a small EXC tank, a larger tank or an approved spare fuel container is well worth it. Fill up before every longer section and use the 7 pm briefing to check where the next fuel stop is. Our guide Riding to Bosnia by motorcycle covers money, petrol stations and roads.

Spares and tools for six riding days

The tour information asks you to carry a puncture repair kit and tools and to be able to handle minor repairs on your own bike; on-site support is available for small fixes. This basic kit has proved its worth:

• Front and rear inner tubes or a tubeless plug kit, tyre levers, pump or CO₂
• Clutch and brake levers, chain link, fuses
• Spare air filter, oil and oil filter (especially for the EXC)
• Cable ties, duct tape, epoxy putty, the Torx and Allen keys your bike needs

Getting to Kupres and staying road legal

Many EXC riders arrive by van or trailer to save the bike for the tour itself. Vehicles and trailers can stay at the Hotel Adria Ski base all week, and the pre-tour WhatsApp group is a good place to organise car-pooling. Your main luggage can stay in Kupres too, but on each two-day stage you spend one night away (Bihać, Sarajevo, Neum), so plan light luggage for one night – on an EXC, a compact tail bag or rackless system is worth its weight in gold.

Crucially, the bike must be road-registered and insured, because around 30% of the distance is on public roads. A pure competition bike without registration is not an option. Arrival day includes a technical motorcycle inspection, so lights, number plate and tyres should be in order. For tyre choice, read Motorcycle tyres for off-road in Bosnia.

Alternative: rental package with a Honda CRF 300 L Rally

If you would rather not organise transport or put a week of wear on your own KTM, there is an all-in package: a rental Honda CRF 300 L Rally, entry, accommodation and navigation for €3,499. The rental package is listed separately and is subject to confirmation. All prices are on the Bosnia Marathon page.

Frequently asked questions