Taking on the true spirit of off-road riding in the mountains of Bosnia
We don’t mind getting our hands dirty at REV'IT! – or our boots for that matter. And even though adventure’s to be found just about anywhere you point your front tire; when Yamaha calls up to collaborate on the inaugural edition of their Ténéré Rally Bosnia event, with an invitation to experience the event firsthand, it’s not even a question. We’re in.
Six days of riding, across a prologue and five different stages, to take on the true spirit of off-road riding in the breathtaking mountains of Bosnia – for all levels of adventure riders. If that premise hadn’t convinced us to pack our bags and head out to the Balkan, nothing would have.
This Bosnian adventure is on
Leaving a grey, wet Holland behind and stepping into the 30-degree heat of Split on the Croatian coast, felt like flipping a switch in the mind. The salt in the air, the buzzing port, the heat bouncing off the stones – it was already starting to smell like adventure. But Split wasn’t the final destination – it wasn’t even the start. With our duffels full of DIRT Series gear crammed into the van, we pushed toward Bosnia. Watching the coastline fade into rolling hills and eventually the raw, untamed landscapes of the Balkan backcountry, there was no escaping it now: this Bosnian adventure is very much on.
Our basecamp, located in a small ski resort, was laid out just outside the village of Kupres. By the time we rolled in, more than 100 riders had already claimed their spots – a sea of Ténéré 700s and knobby tires as far as the eye can see. It didn’t take long for the vibe to click. Strangers helping each other wrench on wheels, talking bikes – as one does – sparking nostalgic debates about the old Yamaha single-cylinder trailies the Motoritz crew brought, and the kind of laughter you only hear when everyone knows they’re in for something special.
No holiday cruise…
The next morning, reality hit. Detailed briefings on the tracks, introductions to the Garmin navigation equipment we’d been provided, or just classic roadbooks for the old-school rally riders. Followed by warnings about sharp rocks, tough climbs, and long days ahead. It was clear: this wasn’t going to be a holiday cruise. But there was comfort, too. Comfort in knowing that professional support crews and experienced rescue teams had our backs meant we could focus on the ride, not the “what ifs.”
Foot down, first gear engaged; we were off. Endless grasslands rolled into towering ridgelines. Rocky climbs spat us above the tree line, along ice capped mountains, like Bosnia’s highest peak of Pločno, dauntingly rising on the horizon. The land felt empty and alive at the same time – as if it had been waiting for us to carve onto its scenic tracks and rugged paths.
Speechless and grinning
Six days flowed together into a rhythm of exertion and exhilaration. We sweated over flats, tested our crash bars harder than we would’ve wanted to, and pushed lungs to their limit on the Čvrsnica mountains, at altitudes of over 2,200 meters. Just as the thought crossed the mind that things couldn’t get much more awe inspiring, we’d be stopped dead by the sight of 60 wild horses thundering past, leaving us speechless and grinning like kids.
By the time we had arrived at the final bivouac, we’d done roughly 1,300 kilometers. Bosnia left us dusty, bruised, and grateful. Sure, the bikes proved what they were built for, but what stayed with us went far beyond machines: the people who shared their tools and shared their stories, the landscapes that humbled us, and the reminder that adventure doesn’t just test you – it changes you. And certainly in the case of the Yamah Ténéré Bosnia Rally, it’s only change for the better and it’s a ton of fun to boot.
Dip your toes in and go
Accessible, well-organized multi-day off-road events like the Ténéré Bosnia Rally are popping up more every year. And although they feel daunting to dip your toes in at first, the range of riders – from outright rally fiends to off-roading enthusiasts who are starting out and want to challenge themselves – make an entry into events like these within reach to any rider who aspires to.
You’re never alone as a first timer and however good you think you are, there’s always a proverbial bigger fish. And above all, once out on the trails; we’re all equal and we all help each other out. It’s not a race after all – it’s an adventure.
