Do you know what Off-Road is? Have you heard about it and are interested in knowing more about this sport? Or to know the different disciplines that compose it? In this case, you can not miss this post because we tell you everything you need to know about Off-Road.
Origin of off-road
Nowadays, you hardly hear anyone saying that he or she is a fan of off-road motorcycles, since there is a huge specialization within this field. Motocross, Enduro or Trial are some of the best known modalities that include what was previously known as off-road motorcycles. Therefore, each of these disciplines has the same origin.
At the beginning of the 20th century, roads as we know them today did not exist. They were simply roads on which rigid motorcycles were ridden and had only a functional purpose. It was British letter carriers who began to enjoy and measure their skill on a motorcycle. What started out as just a hobby was followed by important media races and a certain industry was built around this sporting practice that has survived to the present day. In fact, as early as 1909, the first edition of the Scottish Six Days Trial was held, the oldest off-road competition in the world and one of the toughest.
What is Off-Road?
As its name suggests, Off-Road is a motorcycling discipline that is practiced off paved roads or paved paths. One of the frequent doubts among those who are new to Off-Road is the difference between Motocross, Enduro or Trial and the truth is that, although all three are disciplines that are within Off-Road, they have important differences.
Motocross
On the one hand, Motocross is a discipline that is practiced in closed circuits specially designed for it. They are usually made of dirt, mud or sand and contain ruts, curves and jumps, where the rider will try to go as fast as possible, avoiding obstacles and irregularities of the terrain. The competitions are divided into rounds lasting between 20 and 30 minutes or a determined number of laps, where the winner is the one who completes them in first position. It is a discipline where it is important to be in good physical condition, due to the demands of driving on a circuit and at maximum speed.
Enduro
Enduro is done on rural roads and trails and therefore has a much more recreational or hobby aspect, where you can enjoy nature and landscapes. However, it also has its competitive side, important Enduro races are held in which the rider must overcome all kinds of natural obstacles such as rocks, rivers or trees and changing weather conditions, in which the rider must use all his technical qualities. These are long races in which the winner is determined by the rider who completes the course in the shortest time possible.
Trial
Let’s not forget the Trial, a discipline in which the rider must overcome all kinds of natural or artificial obstacles, with skill, technique, balance and control of the motorcycle, trying not to touch the ground with his body or fall. Compared to other Off-Road modalities, you need little space to practice it. In its competitive aspect, the objective is that the rider does not touch the ground, the obstacles or the elements that make up a delimited circuit with his feet.
Off-Road Motorcycles
As mentioned above, since there are different disciplines within Off-Road, there are also different types of off-road motorcycles (Motocross, Enduro, Trial, Quad, Trail…). Obviously, regardless of their type, Off-Road motorcycles differ greatly from asphalt motorcycles. We will highlight some of the main characteristics of the motocross, enduro and trial modalities we have mentioned:
Motorcycles
Motocross and Enduro motorcycles at first glance seem practically the same, to differentiate them in a quick way, we have that Enduro motorcycles can be registered, therefore, they have lights and can circulate on paved roads or public roads, while motocross motorcycles can only be used within a circuit. From one discipline to the other, tire sizes, suspensions, bike dimensions, height, weight… change.
On the other hand, Trial motorcycles are small and lighter for greater maneuverability, do not have a seat, engines with short gears, low tire pressure and a very small fuel tank with little autonomy.
Tires
This is probably one of the main peculiarities of Off-Road. They require a tire profile that stands out for offering much greater grip than other disciplines, thanks to rubber “lugs” located on the entire contact surface, both on the front and rear wheels. Furthermore, depending on the modality, the terrain and even the weather conditions, the design and tread pattern of the tires may vary.
Suspension
Obviously, the suspension on an off-road motorcycle plays a vital role. Otherwise, the necessary safety against impacts caused by bumps or jumps while riding cannot be ensured. Correctly adjusted suspension ensures a stable motorcycle in the face of sudden changes in terrain.
Increased sensitivity
Finally, another aspect that characterizes off-road motorcycles is that they are much more sensitive than road bikes. This is due to the fact that greater precision or tact is required when controlling the brake and gas levers, as well as controlling gear changes. Being especially sensitive, in the Trial, needing that the gear changes are much smoother and without abrupt changes.