Enduros are the long distance side of dirt biking, with cross country courses varying from a couple of miles up to many tens of miles. The bikes are very similar to motocross machines but they have to be road legal, fitted with working lights, and they must also be quieter than motocross bikes. Enduro bikes also tend to be less highly tuned than their motocross counterparts. When you are riding for long periods of time, the hard-hitting power of a motocrosser can be a liability after a long day in the saddle.

Enduro riding may take place over open or closed courses and is more about having a good range of skills and a high level of fitness than outright speed. Enduros events can last from a few hours to a series of events held over six days, e.g. the International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) and can take a lot of dedication and time. However, it is hugely rewarding and there is a real sense of camaraderie amongst competitors.

An Enduro is very similar to a car rally in that competitors set off at staggered time intervals on a pre-determined route. There are time checks and special tests similar to rally special stages. Entrants can be penalised if they fail to keep to their own time schedule or start a test too early or too late. Like Trials riding, it is good value for money since you get a lot of riding for your entry fee with centre events lasting many hours. The winner is the rider who stays on time throughout the event and who collects the fewest penalty points; ties are settled by means of the special times achieved by a rider.