Which is Harder, IBR or Paris to Dakar?

[TriggerT]

Obviously very different types of riding, but I was thinking which one would be harder. I can see elements of each that are uniquely more difficult, but I wonder which is more difficult in total?

I doubt anyone knows for sure, since I don't know of anyone who has completed both, and only a person who has completed both would know for sure.

Just a random though while spending hours on the lawn tractor today.

 

[dcarver]

I would have to think Dakar. More physically demanding, with similar routing challenges, yet more difficult pit stops. Harder on bike and human, overall. me thinks..

 

[TriggerT]

Don't you have a support crew for the Paris to Dakar race though? If that is the case, at least you could rest while things are being worked on. Seems to me in the IBR you are ON YOUR OWN.

 

[Rogue]

IMHO two totally different critters. P-D is I think about 3 weeks, mostly off road, 5-600 miles a day (off road), support crews, follow a set route (everybody goes to the same check points)

IBR is 11 days, 1,000+ miles a day, plot your own checkpoints, no support crew.

Its like comparing SuperCross & SuperBike.

 

[twistedcricket]

IMHO two totally different critters. P-D is I think about 3 weeks, mostly off road, 5-600 miles a day (off road), support crews, follow a set route (everybody goes to the same check points)IBR is 11 days, 1,000+ miles a day, plot your own checkpoints, no support crew.

Its like comparing SuperCross & SuperBike.

They're both endurance rides. How well does the rider and machine perform? Fatigue, weather, machine reliability, etc.

I can see that there's a massive difference with support crews and the like, but really, the IBR riders could stage gear (replacement tires) if they wanted I would imagine. The crew wouldn't be changing the tires, or oil, but the rider wouldn't be stranded if they planned.

There is factory sponsorship in the P2D run and I really don't think BMW would jump at the chance to support the K1200s

 

[kaitsdad]

Apples and Oranges.

Absolutely no comparables between the two. Cept' maybe two wheels.

 

[Mike-H]

For overall physical fitness (& cardio), Paris to Dakar no contest, anyone who would say different would just be lying to you & themselves

 

[dcarver]

Let me try it this way -

A Dakar rider *could* complete the IBR.

An IBR rider *could NOT* complete the Dakar, if only for lack of physical conditioning and average contestant age.

500 - 600 miles in dirt is more than equivalent to 1,000 on the Interstate, just sayin'.. IMHO.

Hugs n' Kisses...

 

[Silver Penguin]

Apples and Oranges.
Absolutely no comparables between the two. Cept' maybe two wheels.

Agree. I watched the DVD of Charlie Boorman's attempt at the Dakar rally. It was brutal. How many sporting events can almost guarantee a fatality? or at least serious injuries? It takes a special kind of person to attempt this, or an Iron-Butt rally. (And I mean 'special' in a similar way to the Special Olympics).

 

[Mike-H]

Let me try it this way -
A Dakar rider *could* complete the IBR.

An IBR rider *could NOT* complete the Dakar, if only for lack of physical conditioning and average contestant age.

500 - 600 miles in dirt is more than equivalent to 1,000 on the Interstate, just sayin'.. IMHO.

Hugs n' Kisses...

Couldn't agree more.....I've been training for the last few months for a 20-22 day ride (13000 kms) in Africa next fall (fingers crossed) & road riding/ track racing is waaaaay easier

 

[beemerdons]

https://www.dakar.com/2008/DAK/presentation...979_2006_us.pdf While the IBR and its riders are indeed tough, no one's shooting at you with an AK-47 or a RPG like in the Paris to Dakar Rally. The possibiity of rebel attack is constant.

 

[TriggerT]

You are assuming they aren't going to put a bonus location in certain parts of Detroit.

 

[beemerdons]

You are assuming they aren't going to put a bonus location in certain parts of Detroit.

Ha, ha: That's a good one TriggerT. You are right, they could put a bonus location in South Phoenix amidst "Vato Locos 13!"

 

[Bustanut joker]

Harder???

Damn! I thought this was about some new type of viagra :huh:

Detoilet? Ha! Flint or Saginaw is where the action is now.. Shotguns and knives rule Detroit, If ya want assault rifle rounds lobbed at ya Saginaw is the place!

Oh, I pick Dakar. Though I've never run an IBR, many years of Hare Scrambles and Motocross tell me that Dakar would be a bitch..

:jester:

 

[SnowAviation]

Dakar would be much harder on an FJR than the IBR.

So I say definitely: Dakar.

 

[Geezer]

I agree with the majority here that Dakar is more physically demanding and more dangerous. However, the IBR requires more mental focus for route planning to maximize bonus points, manage fuel usage, timing to avoid high density traffic, and knowing when it is better to rest than push on and risk crashing.

 

[Wheels Up]

A Dakar rider *could* complete the IBR. An IBR rider *could NOT* complete the Dakar, if only for lack of physical conditioning and average contestant age.

There are probably one or three 2009 IBR riders who could complete the Dakar unless mechanical failure sidelined them.

In 1970, a 45-minute professional moto was right up there with professional soccer for cardio intensity. I know from experience and I could do hundreds of sit-ups and more than 50 real pushups back then. I can't even describe what my forearms felt like during the last 5 minutes of a 45 minute moto. And we had the pleasure of repeating that two more times on race day.

I'm old and 70 pounds heavier now ... and that's after losing 40 pounds in the past 4 months. When I drop below 200, I'm getting a dirt bike so I can ride with my late in life 14 y/o son, Zach. He has a Yamaha TTR 125 LE.

Jim Puckett

www.notsupermanrally.com

on 2 year assignment in Port Arthur, Texas

 

[Indian Scout]

I agree with the majority here that Dakar is more physically demanding and more dangerous. However, the IBR requires more mental focus for route planning to maximize bonus points, manage fuel usage, timing to avoid high density traffic, and knowing when it is better to rest than push on and risk crashing.

As : well as being harder, if you are going to do the Dakar you better bring a lot more money with you.

The IBR is expensive enough.

mega_shok: :mega_shok: :mega_shok: :mega_shok: :mega_shok:

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

IMHO two totally different critters. P-D is I think about 3 weeks, mostly off road, 5-600 miles a day (off road), support crews, follow a set route (everybody goes to the same check points)IBR is 11 days, 1,000+ miles a day, plot your own checkpoints, no support crew.

Its like comparing SuperCross & SuperBike.

I concur (altho, some P-D riders have done it solo/self supported -- Finns w/sisu).

I've done 1,000 days on road bikes (never too many in succession) and was lucky enough to have ridden the Continental Divide Dual-Sport ride (2,800 miles of mostly forest roads that we did in 10 days). While I'm not a great rider, either on or off road, when I finished the Divide Ride I was in the best physical shape I've been in, in years.

So..., 'different critters' -- off-highway riding is/can be more physical (than on-highway).

Now, if you take you FJR off-road....