Off-road motorsports will take you off the beaten track and get your adrenaline pumping. Participating in motorsport events is a great way to blow off steam, reduce stress, and even boost your brainpower through improved concentration, coordination, decision-making, and problem-solving. Off-roading is also a unique and exciting way to connect with nature and discover new landscapes. With all these benefits in mind, it’s no surprise that off-road motorsports have grown increasingly popular in recent years.

If you’re looking to get into off-road motorsports, we’ve got plenty of tips to get you started— plus all the aftermarket parts you’ll need to maximize your performance and win big.

How To Get Started with Off Road Motorsports

Let’s start with the basics. Off-roading is driving or riding a vehicle on unsurfaced roads or tracks. This includes a wide range of unpaved surfaces such as gravel, riverbeds, mud, sand, snow, rocks, and other types of natural terrain. Off-roading is not only a popular leisure activity but also a competitive sport. The term “off-road motorsports” refers explicitly to off-road competitive sporting events– those that involve motorized vehicles, like racing, hill climbs, or freestyle ramps. If you enjoy adventurous off roading and have a competitive streak, you’re bound to love off-road motorsports!

If you’re just getting into off-roading, you might want to start by getting involved in the off-roading community. There are many vehicle-specific forums or local clubs you can join to learn from more experienced off-roaders, whether online or in person. You’ll likely need to make some modifications to your vehicle with off-road performance parts (more on that later) and invest in some protective gear to keep you safe. For off-roading practice, light trails or more heavily trafficked trails are the best bet for beginners. They also tend to be more readily available.

Once you’re comfortable and ready to get into off-road motorsports, you should attend some events and watch event streams online. Learn everything you can from watching and talking to more experienced drivers/riders whenever you can. You can even volunteer or serve on a race team as a pit crew member to gain a valuable insider’s perspective on the sport and the teamwork involved.

To actually begin competing, you’ll need to build your team or support crew. Off-road racing isn’t a solo sport! Ideally, you want to find dedicated team members that have prior off-road experience and can work well together. Next, you need to decide on the specific type of motorsport competition and class to sign up for. When you’re starting out, it’s a good idea to sign up for a variety of shorter events to learn the rules and regulations, get comfortable with the terrain, and understand how your team and your vehicle operate in racing conditions. As you improve and gain more confidence, you can slowly level up!

Types of Off-Road Vehicles

Off-road motorsport events are often broken down by vehicle type and class. Off-roading is a diverse activity that can involve driving or riding many different vehicles, including motorcycles, dirt bikes, cars, trucks, buggies, and all-terrain vehicles or ATVs. Within each of these vehicle categories, there are subcategories too. For example, there are many different types of dirt bikes out there, including Motocross bikes, trail dirt bikes, enduro bikes, dual sport bikes, supermoto bikes, Hillclimb bikes, flat-track bikes, etc.

Types of Off-Road Motorsports

Here are a few of the most common types of off-road motorsports:

• Sand and desert racing: Desert racing is a popular type of off-road motorsport, typically set up on government recreational land. There are different events for various classes of vehicles– each with a different number of laps determined by the vehicle’s engine size and suspension system. These kinds of tracks vary in length but tend to be longer, typically falling between 100 miles and 1,000 miles. Best in the Desert is the largest off-road desert racing series in North America, but if you live near sand dunes or desert terrain, you can probably find smaller events in your area. The Baja 1,000 is another world-renowned desert racing event held in Baja California, Mexico.

• Short course off-road racing: Short course off-road race tracks tend to be shorter than desert races. This type of off-road racing allows for easier spectator viewing. Additionally, competitors have much easier access to the pits for any mechanical problems that arise, so it tends to be an easier type of off-road event for beginners. Short course events can either be held in stadiums or on dirt road courses.

• Motocross racing: These races are held on closed courses with natural terrains such as dirt, grass, or gravel. Motocross courses tend to have steep hills, sharp turns, and jumps. The American Motorcyclist Association is great for learning about different motocross events and races.

• Off-road hill climb racing: Hill climb racing, also known as hillclimbing, is a type of motorsport where drivers race against the clock one by one on an uphill course. Off-road hillclimbing takes place on unpaved uphill courses, often going up extremely steep hills or mountainsides. This motorsport originated in France and many of the world’s most prestigious events are still held in Europe.

• Rock crawling: This is one of the most extreme and challenging forms of off-road motorsports. It involves driving or “crawling” through many obstacles such as rocks, boulders, and mountainsides. Because rock crawling terrain tends to be extremely rough, the vehicles used are usually highly modified four-wheelers, like Jeeps and buggies. This kind of off-road motorsport is less about speed and more about technical precision and control.

• Mud bogging: These events are messy in the best possible way. Drivers navigate through extremely muddy courses or mud pits and try to make it as far as they possibly can without getting stuck. Whoever makes it the farthest is declared the winner, and if multiple vehicles make it out, the one with the fastest time wins.

• Snow and ice racing: These events often take place on lakes and rivers that have frozen over in cold climates. Whether you’re riding a motorcycle or driving a truck, special studded tires and additional safety precautions are needed for this kind of racing.

These are just a few of the most popular types of off-road motorsports… but there are as many types of events as there are vehicles and types of terrain!

Off-Road Dirt Bike Racing Parts & Upgrades

Below are some of the most common dirt bike parts and upgrades for off-road racing to boost performance:

• Suspension system tuning and upgrades to improve performance and speed. Although this is one of the more expensive aftermarket upgrades, you’ll notice the improvements right away.
• Updating your pipe and exhaust system is the best way to reduce weight and give your speed a little boost. A new exhaust system can also increase your power.
• Chain and sprocket upgrades can also make a noticeable difference in performance. A smaller front sprocket or larger rear sprocket will provide faster acceleration, while a larger front sprocket or smaller rear sprocket will help you reach a faster top speed.
• Skidplates to protect your bike’s engine. This is a great way to protect your investment, as engines aren’t cheap to replace! Header pipe guards are also important for two-stroke bikes.
• Dirt bike handlebars and grips to improve handling and comfort.
• Handguards to protect your hands and bike levers. Full wraparound handguards are best for off-roading.
• Special off roading dirt bike tires for different types of terrain.
• An hour meter to help you stay on top of oil changes and other routine servicing. These are cheap and easy to install.

You’ll also want to invest in some high-quality protective gear, such as body armor. Check out our blog post on dirt bike riding gear for more information on how to protect yourself and improve comfort.

Off-Road ATV Racing Parts & Upgrades

Most ATVs are designed for off-roading, but there are few key upgrades that will improve performance and speed for racing.

Upgrading your ATV exhaust system will help it perform at its peak. Yoshimura is a company well known for its work alongside factory racing teams and riders, so they know what the racers want. The Yoshimura Signature RS-2 ATV performance exhaust has a stainless steel-aluminum construction with a diamond-shaped muffler and maximized internal volume. Every component of this exhaust is tested, documented, and marked as required by federal law, so you won’t have any surprises when you install it on your ATV.

Another popular ATV upgrade for off-road racing is the clutch. The Hinson High-Performance Clutch Basket, Clutch Plates, and Spring Kit are used by most factory teams and riders and have been proven to increase clutch performance and life while also improving heat dissipation within the clutch assembly.

Upgrading the tires on your ATV will allow you to ride in different types of terrain, making your 4-wheeler more versatile. High-quality 4-wheeler tires can also help improve your safety and performance while you ride. There are many different types of tires to choose from, including all-terrain tires, mud tires, sand tires, racing tires, and snow tires.

Finally, ATV riding gear is essential to keep you safe and comfortable while you’re off-road racing!

Off Road Motorsports with ZMPerformance

If you have more questions about aftermarket upgrades for your dirt bike or 4-wheeler, ZMPerformance is here to help. We carry a wide range of parts, gear, and accessories from the most tried and trusted brands that will maximize your performance, keep you safe, and help you get the most out of your ride. Whether you’re preparing for a desert race or a rock crawling event, we’ve got everything you need to clinch that win. You’ll be surprised by what a difference a few simple modifications can make!