Top off-road racing machinery used to be quite different in quality and intensity from high-end moto weapons. But recently, that gap is narrowing in many ways. Off-road bikes are as modified as moto weapons, and many show extreme care, time and attention like high-end track bikes. The difference is that fewer mods are aimed at all-out, slam-dance performance increases, and more finesse the machinery for the specific racing tasks expected. While moto tracks can and do vary in soil and terrain, the length of the competition is static. In comparison, a WORCS race, GNCC, National Enduro, the Baja 1000 and a National Hare & Hound demand very different strengths. Off-road guys spend a great deal of time and thought on fuel capacity and rapid pit stops, and both subjects barely make the radar screen for a moto guy. Off-road demands more attention to mechanical protection and armor, too. Suspension is every bit as critical as it is in moto, but settings are generally softer, and sometimes are much so. Power is also a priority, but with races that last anywhere from a minimum of two hours to all day and part of the night grinds like Baja, "good" power that favors traction and doesn't abuse the pilot is the goal.
Recently we gathered a wide cross-section of top-flight off-road race bikes, much like the collection of EnduroCross weapons that you saw in our December 2009 issue. Some were rounded up at the opening of the National Enduro Series in South Carolina, and the rest came to play with us at the Dirt Rider Ride Day at Glen Helen. Each is finely honed for a specific task, and that makes each a thing of beauty-the most satisfying sort of performance art.