What's the best bike for dune bashing? The ultimate guide to mastering the desert

2. Lightweight pure enduro bikes: the queens of the dunes

These bikes are designed for competition and extreme use. Their light weight, long-travel suspension, and powerful single-cylinder engines make them ideal for technical dunes.

KTM 450 Rally 🏍️

• 450cc single-cylinder engine, 63 HP

• Very low weight (139 kg)

• Huge autonomy (33L rally tank)

• Ideal for experts and raids like the Dakar

It's a bike that requires experience. Its maintenance is demanding, but it's the most professional option if you're looking to compete or tackle very long stages at a fast pace.

Yamaha WR450F

• A classic, reliable and ultra-light (123 kg) enduro

• Excellent suspension and great handling

• Very usable power

• Low standard autonomy, it must be adapted with auxiliary tanks

The Yamaha is highly recommended for learning the dune experience if you have experience riding enduro bikes. It's agile, easy to recover in case of a crash, and responds well to the throttle curve.

Honda CRF450L

• Smoother and more civilized than the Yamaha

• Good option for intermediate pilots

• 130 kg and 42 HP, simpler and more noble

It's a less demanding bike than the WR450F or the KTM 450 Rally, making it ideal for riders who are learning or prefer more linear handling.

3. Lightweight Trail Bikes: Power-Weight Compromise

Lightweight trail bikes offer more range and comfort than enduro bikes, but without the excessive weight of maxi-trail bikes. They tend to be powerful single-cylinder bikes with a robust chassis.

Husqvarna 701 Enduro

• 75 HP and only 146 kg

• Ideal if you are looking for power without losing manageability

• Spectacular WP suspensions

• Good for fast sections and large dunes

This bike is a favorite for crossing the Erg Chebbi in Morocco. Extremely versatile and proven reliable.

KTM 690 Enduro R

• Virtually the same base as the 701

• Excellent for dunes, although it requires experience

• The LC4 engine is a beast

Both share almost all the same chassis and suspension. The choice between one or the other depends on your preference for aesthetic details and small ergonomic nuances.

4. Intermediate adventure motorcycles

These bikes represent a balance between trail and rally. They're ideal for those who want to take on long rides combining track, dunes, and asphalt.

Rieju Aventura 500 / 307

• The 500: twin-cylinder, 48 HP, two 20L tanks each

• The 307: single-cylinder, 34 hp, very light. A great choice for courses in Morocco.

With predictable performance and a very affordable price, these Riejus allow you to get closer to the world of the dunes without breaking the bank or getting into trouble.

AJP PR7

• 165 kg and 60 hp: a quiet missile

• Very good suspension, ideal for combining offroad with adventure

• Widely used on long trips through dunes

Its TFT display, comfortable ergonomics, and smooth motor make it perfect for those who want to backpack through Morocco without sacrificing the fun.

Kove 800 Rally

• Powerful (95 HP) and quite light (176 kg)

• Adjustable suspensions, good rally package

• Best for intermediate/advanced riders

It has surprised the world with its price/performance ratio. Suitable for raids and dune adventures if you have some technical skills.

5. Adapted maxi trails: for the brave and the experienced

BMW F850GS

• 229 kg: requires technique and experience

• Good on the slopes but tough on the dunes

• Better with reinforced suspension and suitable tires

It requires physical effort to get out if you get stuck. It's not ideal for beginners, but there are pilots who do wonders with it.

KTM 890 Adventure R

• 210 kg and 105 HP

• Very capable WP Xplor suspensions

• If you have good technique, you can do dunes without fear

Many experienced riders cross the desert on this bike. Lightweight for a maxi-trail, with configurable electronics and plenty of poise.

6. Recommendations according to your level

• Beginner level: CRF450L, Rieju Aventura 500, AJP PR7

• Mid level: Husqvarna 701, KTM 690, Kove 800

• Expert level: KTM 450 Rally, WR450F, KTM 890 ADV R

It's important not to overestimate yourself. A very powerful motorcycle without control is worse than a well-ridden, docile motorcycle. Remember: technique > power.

7. Tips for preparing your motorcycle for the dunes

• Mount open studded tires such as Michelin Desert or Mitas E-12.

• Low pressures: 0.9 front / 1.0 rear

• Use mousse or bib-mousse if you are going to Morocco or remote areas

• Change the air filter after each hard day

• Protects the radiator and mounts a crankcase cover

• Lightweight and basic tool kit always at hand

• It has a foot pump and levers to change tires in case of emergency.

• Bring duct tape and cable ties: they save trips

Also, remember to check your transmission kit before your trip. Dunes punish the chain with fine abrasive dust.

8. Courses to learn how to drive in dunes

At EscuelaTrailRMMotos.com, we offer specific dune courses in Morocco. Instructors like Javier Monje , a former Dakar rider, will teach you key techniques for:

• Go up and down dunes with control

• Read the terrain

• Mastering constant gas

• Avoid getting stuck in soft sand

• Improve your riding position and breathing

• Knowing what to do if you are left alone in the desert

• Basic navigation and GPS use

• How to position your body according to the type of dune

The courses also include sessions on basic mechanics, how to act if you get stuck alone, and how to recover your bike without exhausting yourself.

9. There is no better motorcycle, there is one for you

The best dune bike isn't the most expensive or the most powerful, but the one that suits your riding level and style. If you're a beginner, start with a sleek, lightweight bike. If you're experienced, a rally bike can be your ally. If you're traveling, find balance.

And most importantly: without technique, there's no power. Join our tribe at escuelatrailrmmotos.com and discover that the desert isn't an enemy: it's a challenge you can master.

10. Bonus: Top 5 dune bikes according to our team

1. KTM 450 Rally – For those who compete or seek the ultimate

2. AJP PR7 – Adventurous and reliable for long journeys

3. Husqvarna 701 – Perfect power and lightness

4. Honda CRF450L – Ideal for learning without problems

5. Kove 800 Rally – Surprising and balanced, great promise

11. Where to try them? Experiences with the RM Motos Trail School

On our courses and trips through the Merzouga Desert, you'll be able to test ride some of these motorcycles. We have our own fleet and partners. You can also bring your own motorcycle, and we'll help you prepare it in our workshops.

Join our sand training routes, where we combine technical training with unforgettable experiences: nights in tents, GPS navigation, simulated rescues, and drone recordings to give you a memorable memory.