Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Chat Forum > The HUBB PUB
Off road Off road
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
The HUBB PUB Chat forum - no useful content required!

BUT the basic rules of polite and civil conduct which everyone agreed to when signing up for the HUBB, will still apply, though moderation will be a LITTLE looser than elsewhere on the HUBB.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Like Tree6Likes
  • 1 Post By TheWarden
  • 2 Post By Tim Cullis
  • 1 Post By chris
  • 1 Post By Erik_G
  • 1 Post By Tim Cullis

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 5 Apr 2023
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2011
Location: midlands uk
Posts: 247
Off road
I think its time we had a guide to the types of off road ( like in skiing ).... so many posts about on here about riding off road ........
Lets say ...........
flat forest track ( very easy ) grade 1
track with some ruts and mud , grade 2
track with river crossings and bogs and climbs , grade 3
track used my enduro riders ( very hard ) grade 4/5

This will give a better idea to people what is an " off road " track is !

The same applies to the type of bike your on..................
and the Honda crf 300 rally is not an offroad bike ....... but a great Adventure bike that you can take on some tracks
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 5 Apr 2023
Turbofurball's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Catalunya
Posts: 338
Track used for Hard Enduro / Trials practice / Dense Jungle: 6? Or no longer a trail?

I guess it might be useful for describing routes here, though like the classifications on wikiloc they'd surely be subjective.

Also, I think you're doing the CRF300 Rally down a bit there, in the right hands they seem to get to many places alright, and if it's too tight to physically fit then you're probably not on a track as such.
__________________
FreeBSD fan since before it was cool ...
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 5 Apr 2023
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 1,484
Open Street Maps already includes a grading system but a lot of apps that use their maps don’t include it
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 5 Apr 2023
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2011
Location: midlands uk
Posts: 247
Quote:
Originally Posted by Turbofurball View Post
Track used for Hard Enduro / Trials practice / Dense Jungle: 6? Or no longer a trail?



Also, I think you're doing the CRF300 Rally down a bit there, in the right hands they seem to get to many places alright, and if it's too tight to physically fit then you're probably not on a track as such.
I am giving a honest opinion on my findings after 8000 Miles on my bike ,
and 35 + years of off roading on enduro bikes
dont see many crf 300 rallies where i ride in wales , going off road !!!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 5 Apr 2023
Tim Cullis's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: London and Granada Altiplano
Posts: 3,124
Off-road is a confusing expression when you are in a country with dirt roads. I try to remember to use the expression off-tarmac. My Nationwide medical travel insurance has a specific written inclusion that covers me for off-tarmac roads, but not riding across dunes.

Some countries talk about dual track and single track to differentiate what can be tackled in a vehicle (easier) vs a motorbike (trickier).

When I started documenting Moroccan pistes I used the colours of the French piste grading system which are green, blue, red, then black.

Green was graded hardcore, suitable for Goldwing towing a trailer.
Blue was simple tracks
Red was some offroad training required
Black was don't tackle this solo or with luggage

Quote:
Originally Posted by Turbofurball View Post
like the classifications on wikiloc they'd surely be subjective.
Precisely. And this all changes with the choice of bike. What was a red on a 'Bavarian Tractor' with luggage might only be a blue on a more suitable bike.
__________________
"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)
Last edited by Tim Cullis; 6 Apr 2023 at 10:50.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 6 Apr 2023
chris's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: GOC
Posts: 3,335
2 things that'll make any grading system virtually useless:

The weather: Today's easy dry dirt road is tomorrow's muddy quagmire after a night's rain.

The rider: What's easy to a competent rider on a well set up, appropriate bike, might be a nightmare for someone with poor ability/ fitness on an unsuitable vehicle (think born again, all the gear, no idea on a faux 250kg+ heavy bomber with lots of plastic and twiddly bits).

Sorry (again ) for all the negativity
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 6 Apr 2023
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Portugal permanent, Sweden during summer
Posts: 480
Off road - What does that mean ?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim Cullis View Post
Off-road is a confusing expression when you are in a country with dirt roads. I try to remember to use the expression off-tarmac.
I agree. Dirt and gravel roads are not off road. They are roads that are not paved .

One example is Sweden. Where
  • off road = Drive outside of roads is illegal in general.
  • There are endless amount of none paved roads to be used.

So yes it is confusing.
(But only to accept.)
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 6 Apr 2023
Tim Cullis's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: London and Granada Altiplano
Posts: 3,124
Quote:
Originally Posted by chris View Post
The weather: Today's easy dry dirt road is tomorrow's muddy quagmire after a night's rain.
The 'gorge link' piste between the Dades and Todra valleys in Morocco is mainly a blue (saw a motorbike sidecar combo on it) and takes typically 2.5 hours. I once did it with a group after rain and flooding had trashed the route, at one point there was a two-metre deep trench across the track. It took something like eleven hours, the last six hours fortunately there was moonlight.
__________________
"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 6 Apr 2023
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2011
Location: midlands uk
Posts: 247
Quote:
Originally Posted by chris View Post
2 things that'll make any grading system virtually useless:

The weather: Today's easy dry dirt road is tomorrow's muddy quagmire after a night's rain.

The rider: What's easy to a competent rider on a well set up, appropriate bike, might be a nightmare for someone with poor ability/ fitness on an unsuitable vehicle (think born again, all the gear, no idea on a faux 250kg+ heavy bomber with lots of plastic and twiddly bits).

Sorry (again ) for all the negativity
KIS ( keep it simple )
I think most people with bikes understand the weather and if it WET .your not going to ride as fast on the road or off road ! ... with or without twiddly bits !!
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 6 Apr 2023
Turbofurball's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Catalunya
Posts: 338
Quote:
Originally Posted by badou24 View Post
KIS ( keep it simple )
I think most people with bikes understand the weather and if it WET .your not going to ride as fast on the road or off road ! ... with or without twiddly bits !!
More a case that the trail might not be there any more the next day, lol
__________________
FreeBSD fan since before it was cool ...
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 6 Apr 2023
Snakeboy's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Back into the hamster wheel again, in Oslo - Norway. Did a 5 year RTW trip/250 k kms, 2014-2019
Posts: 1,524
Quote:
Originally Posted by badou24 View Post
I think its time we had a guide to the types of off road ( like in skiing ).... so many posts about on here about riding off road ........
Lets say ...........
flat forest track ( very easy ) grade 1
track with some ruts and mud , grade 2
track with river crossings and bogs and climbs , grade 3
track used my enduro riders ( very hard ) grade 4/5

This will give a better idea to people what is an " off road " track is !

The same applies to the type of bike your on..................
and the Honda crf 300 rally is not an offroad bike ....... but a great Adventure bike that you can take on some tracks
As a norwegian with english as a second language the term «offroad» has indeed been quite confusing to me. Offroad = off the road = no road = riding in terrain or in a grazing field or similar. If there is a road, a track or even a path thats what I consider a road (albeit a very bad one not suitable for a car or a big motorbike)

Btw - the term «adventure bike» has and is still equally confusing to me. Whats the unisone definition of an «adventure bike»?

If the Honda Crf250/300s are not offroad bikes - what are they then? And what about a GSA, a KTM SA1290, an Africa Twin1000/1100 - are the offroad bikes? They certainly are marketet as such although we all know they are pretty useless for any real rough stuff….
__________________
In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 6 Apr 2023
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Singapore
Posts: 40
Quote:
Originally Posted by Erik_G View Post
I agree. Dirt and gravel roads are not off road. They are roads that are not paved .

One example is Sweden. Where
  • off road = Drive outside of roads is illegal in general.
  • There are endless amount of none paved roads to be used.

So yes it is confusing.
(But only to accept.)
And the definitions depend on who is using them. We were recently in Cyprus where the car rental company tried to tell us that the fact that our car was muddy (we'd been on several wet gravel/dirt roads, but they were all *roads*) somehow invalidated our contract. They were wrong, but it was annoying.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 6 Apr 2023
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Singapore
Posts: 40
(And much of Australia is red dirt that can turn into a swampy nightmare in rain, but they're still "roads")
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
London to Cape Town - an Austrialians journey jordanrtw Ride Tales 13 19 Jun 2019 19:39
CHINA Sanya / Hainan Bike Meeting May 2017 TBR-China Motorcycle Events around the world 1 16 Mar 2017 13:12
Peru: Unfinished Business - Two 200cc Chinese Motos naotweed Ride Tales 50 23 Apr 2016 22:23
Exploring Balkans. Montenegro and Bosnia off-road. Gliga Ride Tales 18 5 Apr 2015 00:53
A Gringo in Colombia Ride4Adventure Ride Tales 13 20 Apr 2012 03:15

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 18:11.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top