Scrambler, trails, motox, enduro... Difference?

[crofty1984]

As the title really, other than enduro, which I take to mean Paris/Dakar type larger engined bikes doing large distances over many days. What are the difference between the sports/disciplines themselves and the bikes?

I'm ignoring "scrambler style" custom/factory custom bikes for now. They have their place, but that's not my question.

[rigga]

Scramble is the old term for Moto X
Off road bikes on a closed course , may include lots of jumps

Trials is a slow speed skill test, trying not to put your feet down and stop between the start and finish of sections.

Enduro is a longer version of Moto X , can be over several hours and longer distance, but not necessarily a rally raid which is the paris- Dakar.

[Wacky Racer]

[DuncsGTi]

crofty1984 said:

As the title really, other than enduro, which I take to mean Paris/Dakar type larger engined bikes doing large distances over many days. What are the difference between the sports/disciplines themselves and the bikes?

I'm ignoring "scrambler style" custom/factory custom bikes for now. They have their place, but that's not my question.

The enduro stuff isn't necessarily larger engined bikes, in the events I've entered, the most popular bikes are between 250 and 450cc with 2t 300 being probably the most common. The races can be straightforward as many laps as possible in a given time, timecard style where like a rally you have checkpoints with report times or sprint format where you do individual hot laps against the clock.

The main difference between an enduro and an MX bike is softer, more compliant suspension to deal with obstacles like logs, tyres, etc and they tend to be geared longer too

Gratuitous pic of me in my last event

[KTMsm]

Motocross - nutters flat out, flying over jumps on a short circuit for a short period of time

Trials - (kickstart to the older generation), far slower, smaller lighter bikes getting up / over impossible objects

Enduro - a race generally over a few hours on a long circuit measured in miles, in the UK mostly 250-500cc bikes that look like MX bikes with headlights but are detuned for longevity

[Rich_AR]

and then you have Enduro Cross.

Plus cross-country bikes that KTM/Huksy make, basically an enduro bike with different gearing, firmer suspension, no lights/not road legal for more faster flowy single track stuff.

[srob]

Bikes wise, there are two main types of off roader. Fast ones and slow ones!

Fast ones are geared to go fast, and typically have a high front mudguard to catch all the st associated with going fast off road. This is a 'scrambler' to our generation, and variations used in Motocross, Enduro, trail riding etc and various levels of extreme performance are available depending how long you're riding and whether you're also going on road etc.. Seat height tends to be high and suspension soft.

Slow ones are geared to be controllable at very low speeds and maneuverable over obstacles. They typically have a low (normal) front mudguard and a very low seat and great steering lock these days. These are used almost exclusively in trials, which involves riding through a course without putting your feet down. It's now very low speed and lots of hopping about and jumping up stuff. Used to be different and have rules including you weren't allowed to stop moving in the old days.

[KTMsm]

srob said:

Bikes wise, there are two main types of off roader. Fast ones and slow ones!

But most of us "green laners" ride the fast ones - slow

Which is what trail bikes were for but there aren't many made these days, the CRF250/300 L is the most popular which looks like an enduro bike to a casual observer but is slower and heavier and plods on forever

Edited by KTMsm on Wednesday 21st December 08:53

[xstian]

I recommend a watch of this film about the different off roads sports. Its very dated now, but a utterly brilliant film nonetheless.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii08DS6u_Vw

[Freakuk]

Enduro would be road legal (lights, indicators, horn, number plate) would also be electric strat, probably different gearbox ratio's and suspension settings over the equivalent MX bike.

[ArnageWRC]

Enduro - a 2 wheeled version of car rallying, as seen in EnduroGP/ British Enduro Championship; so timed stages, and sticking to a time schedule. Though there are other types, as already mentioned.

Then there is Hard Enduro, which ramps up the difficulty - and as seen in the World Championship; some events are timed stages Red Bull Romaniacs, others are a race, like Erzbergrodeo, TKO, etc - 2 strokes are the bikes to have, and Mani Lettenbichler is the current World Champion.

SuperEnduro which is indoor, GNCC in the USA, Endurocross.....

Scrambler is the old name for MX, where Tim Gajser is MX World Champion; and it's indoor derirative, SuperCross - Eli Tomac is the main guy - mainly 4 stroke 250/450cc

And not forgetting Rallye Raid, as seen in the Dakar, and the new W2RC; Sam Sunderland is the World Champion; 450cc single cylinder bikes.

I'm not aware of any 1200cc competiton bikes, they're all lightweight machines.

[poo at Paul's]

What about Hare and Hounds, don’t forget that!

[OutInTheShed]

ArnageWRC said:

E.....

I'm not aware of any 1200cc competiton bikes, they're all lightweight machines.

There's 1000cc 'Grasstrack' sidecar outfits.

The grass doesn't stand a chance.

But yes, mostly up to 500cc.
WR = wide ratio, enduro bike
CR = close ratio motocross

Supermoto bonkers V twin Aprilias deerve a mention?

[Drabbesttunic]

poo at Paul's said:

What about Hare and Hounds, don’t forget that!

Hare and Hounds just falls under enduro as its just a sub category really.

[crofty1984]

OutInTheShed said:

There's 1000cc 'Grasstrack' sidecar outfits.

The grass doesn't stand a chance.

But yes, mostly up to 500cc.
WR = wide ratio, enduro bike
CR = close ratio motocross

Supermoto bonkers V twin Aprilias deerve a mention?

I'm sure I've seen WR and CR on model names. Ooh! I learnt a thing!.

[markymarkthree]

Don't forget "time & observation trials" .
https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=f98a2bc2ca8...

[smifffymoto]

OutInTheShed said:

ArnageWRC said:

E.....

I'm not aware of any 1200cc competiton bikes, they're all lightweight machines.

There's 1000cc 'Grasstrack' sidecar outfits.

The grass doesn't stand a chance.

But yes, mostly up to 500cc.
WR = wide ratio, enduro bike
CR = close ratio motocross

Supermoto bonkers V twin Aprilias deerve a mention?

Are there any Aprilias left? Most spontaneously combusted.

[rigga]

smifffymoto said:

OutInTheShed said:

ArnageWRC said:

E.....

I'm not aware of any 1200cc competiton bikes, they're all lightweight machines.

There's 1000cc 'Grasstrack' sidecar outfits.

The grass doesn't stand a chance.

But yes, mostly up to 500cc.
WR = wide ratio, enduro bike
CR = close ratio motocross

Supermoto bonkers V twin Aprilias deerve a mention?

Are there any Aprilias left? Most spontaneously combusted.

Mate of mine still races a VDB version. Think all the early grenade issues have been sorted by now.

They were indeed fragile to begine with.

[smifffymoto]

Used to enjoy watching VDB,Chambon and the like,happy days.