You don’t need a 450 cc rally bike to ride a rally raid. At Dinaric Rally, adventure bikes race in the same Rally class, and for two years in a row a big bike has won the motorcycle overall: Mike Wiedeman on a Yamaha Ténéré 700 in 2025 and Maxi Schek on a BMW R 12 G/S in 2026, both from Germany.
Can I race a rally raid on an adventure bike?
Yes. At Dinaric Rally you choose between the Rally class, which is timed and has results and trophies, and DARE!, which uses the same stages and safety set-up without a ranking. Both are open to adventure bikes.
Which bikes work well?
- Middleweight twins such as the Yamaha Ténéré 700, Honda Transalp or KTM 790/890 Adventure: light enough for rock, strong enough for long days.
- Big twins and boxers such as the BMW R 12 G/S, R 1300 GS or Honda Africa Twin: comfortable over distance, heavier in technical sections.
- Big singles such as the KTM 690 Enduro or Husqvarna 701, if you want something in between.
How to prepare your bike
- Tyres: hard-terrain knobblies with mousses or heavy-duty tubes. Dinaric rock punishes road-biased tyres.
- Protection: sump guard, crash bars, hand guards and radiator guard.
- Navigation: a roadbook holder or a rugged tablet with a controller, mounted where you can read it without looking down for long.
- Fuel range: check the minimum range in the regulations and plan for the longest gap between fuel stops.
- Weight: leave the luggage at the bivouac. Every kilo counts on the rocks.
- Tracking device: we provide it; prepare the wiring as instructed.
How to prepare yourself
The roadbook decides your week. Learn to read it before you come: the Roadbook Rally Bootcamp with Untamed Academy is a complete rally training that prepares you for Dinaric Rally or any other rally. Ride off-road on your loaded bike, practise picking it up on your own, and build up to several days in a row of 200 to 400 km.
Rally class or DARE!?
Choose the Rally class if you want a result, trophies and the full challenge, including the marathon stage. Choose DARE! if it is your first rally: same stages and safety, a time limit on each stage, and no ranking.
The marathon stage on a big bike
On the marathon days you sleep at a remote bivouac without your team, and no outside assistance is allowed. Carry tools and the parts that most often fail on your model, and plan your tyres for the whole marathon: in 2026 it was 719 km.
Frequently asked questions
Is a big bike at a disadvantage?
In technical sections, yes: it is heavier to ride and to pick up. On fast tracks and long stages it can be an advantage, and our results show that a well-ridden adventure bike can win.
Do I need a rally fairing?
No. Many adventure bikes race with a roadbook holder or tablet mount on the handlebar or a simple navigation tower.
Can I rent a bike?
Yes, through our partner agencies. See rent a bike or quad.