Bikes
Ride one of ours or bring your own
You’re welcome to join the Paris Dakar Challenge on your own adventure bike — or you can ride one of ours. Either way, you’ll need a machine that’s capable, reliable, and suited to the demands of long-distance riding across mixed terrain.
Our bikes – CFR300 Rally
Although you can complete this adventure on bigger adventure bikes like the BMW GS, Honda Africa Twin or Yamaha Tenere, we run a fleet of smaller Honda CRF300 Rally bikes. The CRF is ideally suited for Saharan and African adventures being lighter and easier to ride off-road, but at the same time remarkably comfortable on those long road sections. This, coupled with its famous bullet-proof Honda build quality, make it the perfect Adventure bike for this trip.
All our bikes are prepared and maintained by our own mechanics from our workshops in Worcestershire and en-route from our comprehensively equipped support vehicles. You will be riding long distances on both tar and trail and the CRF is light enough, powerful enough, and robust enough to cope with it all, especially if you are an off-road novice. As far as we are concerned, these bikes are the only option for a diverse, challenging adventure of the type we love to run.
CRF300 Rally specifications:
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286cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder, DOHC
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Power: 27 hp @ 8,500 rpm
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6-speed manual
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PGM-FI electronic fuel injection
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12.8 litre tank
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Seat Height: 885 mm
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Curb Weight: 153 kg
Riding your own bike
You must be confident that your bike is up to the job of travelling long distances day after day, and able to keep up with the trip’s progress no matter what the terrain. It must be mechanically sound and not too old. Adventure motorcyclists will argue until they are blue in the face as to the pros and cons of each model but there are many options which are capable of completing the Paris Dakar Challenge.
What about bigger bikes?
Larger bikes like the BMW GS, Tenere or Africa Twin are capable machines and can be great choices in the right hands. But for riders with limited off-road experience, they can become a real handful on loose or difficult terrain — especially when tired.
Over the years, several riders have told us they wished they’d opted for a lighter, easier-to-handle bike like the CRF300 Rally. That extra manoeuvrability can make a big difference when things get tough — and it often leads to a more relaxed, enjoyable ride overall.
That said, the choice is yours. Some riders swear by their bigger adventure bikes and wouldn’t ride anything else. If you’re unsure, just get in touch. But if you’re relatively new to off-road riding, we strongly recommend considering one of our CRFs for the best possible experience.
Own Bike vs PDC Bike? How to choose…
Not sure whether to bring your own bike or ride one of ours? Both options have their pros and cons — it comes down to how much prep you want to do, how confident you feel, and what kind of experience you’re after. We’ve put together a simple side-by-side breakdown to help you decide.
Mechanic Support
Our trips are supported by an experienced logistics team, including skilled mechanics and fully equipped support vehicles. We’ll make every reasonable effort to keep both you and your bike moving. While we’ve had breakdowns, no rider has ever failed to complete the trip due to mechanical issues — a record we’re proud of. That said, it’s important to understand that:
- We’ll aim to repair your bike wherever possible.
- If that’s not feasible, we’ll help get it to a place where repairs can be made or recovery arranged.
- Labour from our support team is generally free of charge, but parts and any third-party services must be paid for by the rider.
You’re also welcome to bring your own spare parts — but please discuss with us in advance so we can manage weight in the support vehicle.
Maintenance
Whether you ride your own bike or one of ours, you’ll be responsible for basic daily maintenance — it’s essential for your safety and the bike’s reliability. We’ll provide clear guidance on what to check each day, including:
- Chain lubrication and tension
- Tyre pressures
- Oil and coolant level
- Brake checks
- Light and indicator checks
Our staff will also perform regular checks of their own, but riders are expected to take primary responsibility for their machine’s condition. We’ll be there to help — but ownership of the ride, and the responsibility that comes with it, is part of the experience.
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QUESTIONS?
Embark on the ride of a lifetime with the Paris Dakar Challenge. Whether you're a seasoned rider or new to off-road biking, don't let doubts hold you back; our team is here to answer all your questions and support you every step of the way. Contact us today to learn more about how you can join this unforgettable adventure.
