Which Bike? Big vs Small – The Honest Truth

One of the most common questions we get from riders signing up for the Paris-Dakar Challenge is this:

“What bike should I bring?”

And the honest answer? It depends. But this post will help you decide.

Big Bikes: Comfortable Cruisers… with a Caveat

Many riders—especially returning adventurers or those coming from a background of big-mile road touring—are used to big, powerful machines like the BMW GS, Africa Twin, Yamaha Tenere, KTM 1290, etc. These bikes are fantastic in many ways:

• ✅ Superb on motorways and long road sections
• ✅ Great wind protection and comfort
• ✅ Perfect for the beautiful twisty roads through Morocco
• ✅ Fast, planted, and confidence-inspiring on the road

But here’s the caveat: They’re heavy. Really heavy. And that becomes a problem when you hit sand, deep gravel, or slow technical tracks—especially if you’re not already a confident off-road rider. We’ve had riders tackle the Sahara on big bikes and do brilliantly. But we’ve also had riders who said, with hindsight: “I wish I’d brought something smaller.”

And, worst of all, we’ve had riders who have had to miss the desert crossing in Mauritania – the bike in soft sand was just too much for them.

Smaller Bikes: The Underdog That Outperforms

Let’s talk about the Honda CRF300 Rally — our go-to suggestion for most riders, especially if you’re newer to off-road. It might feel underpowered at first if you’re coming off a 1000cc+ adventure bike. But don’t be fooled — this bike punches way above its weight.

• ✅ Super light (about half the weight of a 1200GS)
• ✅ Forgiving in sand – easy to correct, quick to pick up
• ✅ Capable off-road – it’s built for this kind of terrain
• ✅ Surprisingly comfy – a decent saddle, windscreen and 70mph cruising
• ✅ Energy-saving – you’ll thank yourself when you drop it (and you will)

If you’ve never ridden in sand before, trying to wrestle a big bike through Mauritania is doable… but draining. And if you struggle, you may have to miss that section. That would be a real shame — it’s a huge highlight of the trip.

So, Which One Should You Choose?

Ask yourself these honest questions:

1. Have I ridden a big adventure bike in sand before?

• If yes — and you enjoy it — go for it.
• If no — consider your energy, fitness, and risk tolerance.

2. Am I willing to compromise on road comfort to massively reduce off-road stress?

• Smaller bikes can still be comfy — but they won’t have cruise control or heated grips.

3. Will I be gutted if I have to skip the desert section?

• If yes — pick the bike that gives you the best chance of making it through.

Our Take (For What It’s Worth)

If we were riding solo across Africa or even around the world, we’d take the CRF300 Rally. It’s light, low-stress, and handles whatever you throw at it. And on this trip, that matters.

Motorcycles are personal. What feels right for one person may feel all wrong for another. Your confidence, size, strength, experience, and taste all play a part. We’ll never tell you there’s one right answer. But we will tell you this: when you’re in the sand, hot, tired, and needing to pick your bike up for the third time that day… you’ll be very glad you went light.

Final Tips:

• Plan for the tough days not the easy ones. Yes, you might think you have a frustratingly underpowered bike on motorways and roads, but in exchange you’ll get a much easier time during the toughest days in the Sahara.
• Big bike riders: If you’re confident off-road and experienced in sand — you’re good. If not, don’t let ego override enjoyment.
• Newer riders: Small bike. Every time. Trust us.
• If in doubt you can always take one of our CRF300 Rally bikes. They’re ideal for the route, and it saves you worrying about a lot of things.

Have questions about bike setup, tyres or gear? Drop us a message or head over to parisdakarchallenge.com for more prep advice and rider insights.