A typical enduro course is full of various obstacles such as logs and tree roots. Learning to deal with these is a very in-depth subject  that’s too complex to explain in full here: there are different types and sizes of logs and different techniques for how you would tackle a particular log or a tree root. To avoid getting stuck in a rut, give it some gas and power through it. You’ll also have to ride in sand, which can be tricky for beginners; here you should keep your weight on the back of the bike and lay off the front brake.

My first advice to newcomers to enduro riding is don’t go too big on the bike. That’s a really top tip because it seems like everyone who comes from a road bike background goes and buys a real big dirt bike, which is not ideal for enduro. Also, when it comes to the riding stance, it’s very different and you’ll need to stand up about 80% of the time. For flat cornering technique, you need to lean the bike over and keep your body upright. However, for a bermed corner ‐ which is one with a rut ‐ you ride like on a road bike, so you need to lean with the bike. Occasionally you might find yourself going completely the wrong way on the course and will have to turn the bike right around. In this case you need to put your leg down, lean the bike over, put the bike steering on full lock, then do a pivot turn on your leg.

Austrian manufacturer KTM has a whole range of endurance bikes, including lower-powered models more suitable for beginners, but its new 690 Enduro is the daddy. Extremely fast, powerful and agile, it delivers all the power and performance you need, whatever the terrain. You can enjoy cruising comfortably along roads with its commanding acceleration and six-speed transmission, or take it off-road to discover what it can do off the beaten track ‐ from hot and dusty gravel to seemingly impassable rocks. The brutal power output and excellent handling guarantee total control, even in extreme situations.

When you’re riding over rough terrain, a sophisticated suspension system is crucial to iron out all those bumps. The 690 Enduro offers no less than 250mm of suspension travel for both front and rear wheels. The WP shock absorber has an integrated compensation tank, adjustable rebound damping and spring preload, and is connected via the progressive Pro-Lever linkage system for fast damping and the smoothest ride. 48mm USD front forks offer excellent damping, racking stability and high reserves. For the rear wheel a one-piece aluminium die-cast swingarm, whose contour exactly follows the curve of the bending moment, guarantees low weight and suspension-enhancing flex.